A nutty start to the day

METRO CREATIVE
Pecan trees grow in various areas of the central and southern United States. Pecan trees are prized for their delicious nuts. There’s debate whether pecan is pronounced as pe-CAN (as in can of soda) or pe-CAHN, (as in con artist), and it varies depending on where you live. However, there is no debate that pecans can be versatile ingredients in both sweet and savory recipes.
Pecans are perhaps best known from pecan pie, but they’re also tasty in cookies and cakes and sprinkled atop vegetables. They’re also a key ingredient in this recipe for “Praline-Pecan French Toast,” courtesy of Southern Living magazine and the Southern Living Test Kitchen.

Praline-Pecan French Toast
Servings: 8-10

• 1 16-ounce French bread loaf
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup 2 percent reduced fat milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Cut 10 (1-inch-thick) slices of bread. Reserve remaining bread for another use.
2. Stir together brown sugar and next two ingredients; pour into a lightly greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
3. Whisk together eggs and next four ingredients. Arrange bread slices over pecans; pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and chill 8 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake bread 35 to 37 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately.