Eat Together, Make Life Delicious...

I grew up in a household where family meal was a nightly activity and an important part of family life. Without fail my mom prepared dinner for at least an hour before we gathered around the table. She was a loud cook, banging pots and pans around and occasionally mildly swearing if a dish didn't turn out quite right. During meal time my parents asked all kinds of questions about our day and we often shared family folklore. Dinner lasted about 30 to 40 minutes and clean up took another 15. As we grew into our teens, meal time would be sometimes cut short, and once we were allowed to drink wine, hey, it could last hours!

And the best part about family meal? Everyone had a voice and no topic was taboo. We could talk about anything! And I mean anything! My mom is Sicilian and I am pretty sure that has a lot to do with it.

Today I try to eat Family Meal with my three kids and husband at least 5 times a week; this allows the kids one night to eat on the fly, and another night should I have a business meeting. I know, even with my busy schedule, it is worth it to pass on this experience and also, there are countless studies that show families that eat together thrive: kids do better in school, have less problems, and are better adjusted; parents feel better about themselves and overall the family unit is better equipped to deal with whatever comes its way.

Over the years, I'd say the best family meals/dinners are the ones that inspire fun and adventure. Hands down, my favorite is "Breakfast for Dinner in PJs". Somehow that twist reminds us that life is what you make it.


French Toast for Dinner
Makes 4 Servings

French Toast can be prepared sweet or savory and lots of fun for dinner, especially if everyone comes to the table in PJs. For sweet frech toast, follow the recipe and add a banana. Broil it for a few seconds with a bit of brown sugar sprinkled everywhere. To prepare savory toast, omit the cinnamon and sugar and substitute with freshly chopped chives. Sprinkle a pinch of shredded pepper Monetary Jack Cheese before frying. Serve immediately, without the optional sugar and banana.

5 large eggs (6 egg whites or an equivalent amount of Egg Beaters may be substituted)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (you may substitute nutmeg, but use ½ teaspoon)
2 tablespoons sugar
8 1-inch thick slices of bread (I prefer country bread, sliced in half)
1 tablespoon butter, or more as needed to refresh the pan between batches
4 tablespoons real maple syrup (accept no substitutes!), preferably at room temperature
Optional: a dusting of confectioner’s sugar
Optional: 1 banana, peeled and cut into 1-inch slices (see below)

Place a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. (That level of heat will help to avoid burning.) Break the eggs into a large bowl, and thoroughly whisk in the cinnamon and sugar. Fit as many bread slices as you can in one layer in the bowl and let them soak for a minute or two on each side.

Test your skillet to make sure it is hot enough by holding your hand 1 inch above it. If it feels very warm, it’s ready. Melt half the butter in the skillet, swirling the pan to coat the entire surface. Add 2 to 4 bread slices from the metal bowl. Fry the bread for about two minutes on each side, or until the egg mixture is well cooked and golden brown. Place two cooked slices on each serving plate. Continue to cook and plate all the slices in the same manner, wiping the skillet with plenty of paper towels and re-buttering it between each batch.

When you are finished cooking all the bread, add the maple syrup to the empty hot pan. Turn off the heat and let it bubble for 1 minute. Carefully pour the syrup over the four plates of French toast, sprinkle the plate with optional confectioner’s sugar, and serve immediately.

Side Bar— Optional Banana and brown sugar: Preheat the broiler. Peel and slice the banana in ½-inch pieces and place them on a bakeable dish. Sprinkle one side of the slices with brown sugar. Place the banana slices in the oven, 6 inches away from the heat source and broil until golden brown, or about 2 minutes.

Labels: Family Meal, French Toast