Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
4 tablespoons sugar
Four 1-inch thick slices of French bread
1 cup low fat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Four egg whites
Two eggs
3 teaspoons butter
Fresh strawberries
Strawberry or maple syrup

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400-degrees.

Mix together the 1-cup of strawberries, the lemon juice and zest and 2-tablespoons sugar. Set aside.

Cut bread slices in half and cut a slit in each slioce to form a pocket. Stuff with strawberries, secure with toothpicks. Place slices in a 13 x 9-inch greased or buttered baking dish.

In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, vanilla, baking powder and eggs. Mix well. Pour over stuffed bread, turning to coat. Chill for 30-60 minutes, turning bread pieces occasionally.

Grease another 13 x 9-inch inch baking pan. Move bread pieces to this second pan and bake for 3-6 minutes on each side. Serve warm with syrup and additional strawberries.

Recipe makes four servings.