Panettone French Toast

What is Panettone, you ask? Okay, because you asked, I shall tell. It is a sweet Italian bread served around Christmas. It has dried fruit and is perfect for toast...and French Toast!

While watching a Giada at Home Christmas show, she made some and it looked oh-so-freaking fab. But I tweaked the recipe a bit to lower the fat. I swapped whole milk for almond milk; and used half-and-half in place of the cream (and reduced the amount.) Then I added some vanilla extract, omitted the sugar and YUM! Heavenly French Toast.

I used Mahler's "Panetone" Bread as it is in a loaf and pre-sliced. Traditional Panettone will be round. Slice off the round top and then slice your bread for this recipe.

Panettone French Toast

*Sliced Panettone Bread (Six to eight slices)
*Six eggs (or the equivalent in Egg Beaters)
*1 tsp vanilla extract
*1 cup of almond milk
*1/4 cup of half-and-half
*Two tablespoons of Smart Balance

In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs, vanilla, almond milk and half-and-half.

Heat 1 tbsp Smart Balance in non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.

Dip your bread in, letting the mixture soak in before turning over. Place in skillet and cook four minutes on each side. Repeat with remaining bread, adding more Smart Balance to skillet as needed.

Cover cooked French Toast with foil to keep warm as you do the rest.

Serve with maple syrup. Enjoy!

I never knew I needed a purple Birkin...

until I saw Khloe Kardashian carrying one. How FABULOUS is this bag in purple? Oh, oh, it looks so gorgeous against black! I.want.one. Reality, however, is to find a good fake one as my Paco does not have the same bank account as Lamar. I will not, I am pretty certain, receive a Birkin on my anniversary. Tragic. Yet true. So the quest for a fake begins....

William & Kate--Engagement Photo

Okay, I am *officially infatuated* with Kate Middleton and Prince William. How lovely is this photo? How cute do they look? How do I get my hands on that gorgeous cream colored dress Kate is wearing? LOVE them, LOVE the dress, LOVE MY NEW STYLE ICON KATE MIDDLETON!

Chocolate Nutella Drop Cookies

'Tis the season for holiday baking, yes yes? YES! I know, stand back in shock, but even I indulge in some holiday, chocolate-gooey treats at this time of the year.

And this recipe (adapted from Giada, of course) is kick ass awesomeness.

I am talking about her recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti, which I turned into Chocolate Nutella Drop Cookies with Chocolate Chips. Oh.my. Soft centers, chocolately goodness...you can keep sugar cookies, I want chocolate ones!!

Chocolate Nutella Drop Cookies (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis)

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup Nutella
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Muscavado Brown Sugar (dark brown sugar would work too)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In mixer, combine butter, sugars, and Nutella and cream for about 4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Use a wooden spoon and stir in flour mixture by hand, then stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by tablespoon onto baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes (cookies will look a little underdone when taking them out.) Let sit for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool.

I love these sunglasses

Okay, seriously, how FABULOUS are these cat-eye sunglasses by Nicole Richie? Oh.my.God I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Oversized? Cat-eyed? GORGEOUS! FUN! I WANT THEM!!

They will not be available until February and it is taking all the willpower I have not to hit that tiny "preorder" button on the Singer 22 website to ensure I will have them when they are first available!

But, alas, I am *attempting* to watch my budget. And Christmas shop...but if Santa is listening, these would be very, very, nice to have in my stocking as an I.O.U....