French Vanilla French Toast

I'm always trying new ways to make old recipes wake up. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the same ole way of making French Toast but I wanted something a little different in taste and grabbed the French Vanilla coffee creamer the other day. 

French Vanilla French Toast

Here is my recipe for French Vanilla French Toast

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tbs. of French vanilla coffee creamer
• 2 Tbs. of milk
• Ground cinnamon to taste
• 4 slices of bread

Instructions

1. In a medium size bowl beat together the eggs, coffee creamer, milk and ground cinnamon.
2. Heat a large non stick frying pan (add butter or oil if needed) 
3. Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture and place into the frying pan
4. Flip after a few minutes until cooked the way you like your French toast. 
5. Add maple syrup, powdered sugar or both and ENJoY!

Lentil Bean Salad

Potato Salad Recipe & Lentil Bean Salad Recipe

When it is too hot to cook or BBQ I will make a salad night dinner or meatless dinner. The meal will usually consist of two or three salads along with bread or buns. If there is any cooking preparation to be done for the salads, I will do this early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in. Of course these salads can be eaten anytime of year.

Potato Salad

There are a zillion ways to make a potato salad and everyone has their own way of preparing it. Not very often do I make this salad the same way twice. The spices I use usually stay the same, but the ingredients change as to what I have in the house or what I remember to buy at the grocery store.

Cook Time

Prep time: 30 min

Cook time: 20 min

Ready in: 50 min

Yields: serves 4-6 people

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of new red potatoes, boiled and cut into bite sized pieces
• 4 green onions or scallions, chopped
• 2 ribs of celery, chopped
• 3/4 of a green pepper, chopped
• 3-4 eggs (any size), hard boiled, peeled and chopped (You may want to save 1 or 2 to slice and use as a garnish on top)
• garlic powder
• fresh ground pepper
• celery seed
• paprika
• 1 tbsp. yellow mustard
• 2 tbsp. sweet green relish
• 1/2 cup (or more depending on your taste) mayonnaise

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender. Drain and rinse under cold water. Once cooled either set in the fridge to make later in the day or chop into cubed or bite sized pieces and put into a large bowl. I leave the skin on the potatoes but that's just my preference.
2. Chop veggies, hard boiled eggs, and add to the potatoes.
3. Add garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, celery seed and toss. Add relish and mustard and toss again. Since I make this during the day I usually wait until I am just about to serve before adding the mayonnaise. Once the mayonnaise is added I will mix the salad and sprinkle paprika on top. Serve & Enjoy!

Lentil and Bean Salad

Ingredients For Salad

• 1 cup of dried green lentils
• 2 cups of fresh green beans washed and ends snapped off (frozen or canned can be substituted)
• 1 can of black beans rinsed and drained
• 1 can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans rinsed and drained

Ingredients for Salad Dressing

• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp. of sugar
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. of lemon pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium size pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add lentils and cook for 15 - 20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Put into a large serving bowl and set aside..
2. Boil green beans in water for 5-7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool. Once they are cool enough to handle cut into bite sized pieces. Add them to the bowl of lentils.
3. Add black beans, chick peas, and gently toss.
4. In a medium sized bowl or measuring cup whisk all salad dressing ingredients together. Pour over the lentil bean salad, gently tossing and making sure everything gets well coated. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. When ready to serve gently toss again. Enjoy!