Be Free For Me Blog

The boys were out plowing again this weekend, and I wanted to make them a breakfast that was extra special, really sweet and totally unexpected when they arrived home, cold and hungry,  after being out  working for most of the night.

So into the cupboard & fridge I went and pulled out all the ingredients that are the most comforting, warm and heartening to me: Cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cream cheese, butter and brown sugar. Then, without a doubt, I decided that the perfect breakfast would be Cinnamon-Raisin Sticky Bun French Toast.

Made out of the soft and cinnamon-y Udi’s Cinnamon-Raisin Bread, this French Toast adds a sweet, yet tangy, twist on an original French Toast recipe. The brown sugar in the bread’s egg wash makes for a caramelized edged finish on the perfectly toasted slices, while the cream cheese infused butter dollop creates a hint of tang that offsets any extra sweetness.

This recipe is delicious and a sure hit for any day…  No snow storm required.

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Gluten-Free Cinnamon-Raisin Sticky Bun French Toast

Ingredients for the French Toast:

6-8 slices of Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

4 eggs

¼ cup milk

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon of Brownulated (pourable) brown sugar (I use Domino’s)

Butter, for skillet

Maple syrup – I use real maple syrup from Vermont (for drizzle)

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Infused Butter:

2-ounces Cream Cheese

1½ tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

Optional:

Additional Cinnamon for sprinkling on top of dollop

Crushed Pecans, for topping

Directions:

In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon and brown sugar. Melt a pad of butter in a well heated frypan. Dip the Cinnamon-Raisin bread into the egg mixture until well-coated on both sides, and place in the skillet for about 1-2 minutes each side until browned and warmed through.

To make the Cream Cheese Infused Butter, beat the cream cheese and the butter together in a small bowl. Add in the vanilla and milk, and continue to beat until well blended. (Note: you can make this ahead of time, just keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use).

Serve the French Toast on a plate with a drizzle of maple syrup and dollop of the Cream Cheese Infused Butter. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or crushed pecans, if desired.

Dig in. Enjoy.

Serves 3-4.

The Grilled Cheese sandwich is such a comfort food. The oozey, gooey cheese… the perfectly toasted gluten-free  bread that is crunchy & buttery on the outside, and soft & warm on the inside.  Perfection.

But if just the “basic” grilled cheese sandwich has so much perfection going on – what could a little creativity fueled by a bunch of fanatic grilled cheese lovin’ foodies create? Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread, in partnership with Horizon Organic Cheese, has taken on this feat and is sponsoring a challenge among a group of top food bloggers and chefs. The task? To create an original,  unique & delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

First off… I was thrilled that I was asked to compete in this challenge… so thank you Udi’s and Horizon Organics. Secondly, I’ve come up with three Grilled Cheese creations that will each blow your gluten-free griddles off.

Along with the first gluten-free grilled creation listed below, my Prosciutto & Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction, I have also created a Cherrywood Smoke Bacon & Date Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich, which is reminiscent of my favorite appetizer of all time (Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon) and also a fantastic breakfast grilled cheese creation – a Honey-Apple & Strawberry Grilled Cheesy Breakfast Sandwich.

Thanks to Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread and Horizon Organic Cheese for getting my grill-ative forces moving! Enjoy!

Prosciutto and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction

Who said Grilled Cheese Sandwiches had to boring? This sandwich is salty, sweet and tangy…. All grilled into one. I really stuffed my sandwich with blackberries (since I love them so much) but use fewer or even substitute blackberry preserves. The Balsamic Reduction creates a unique dipping experience!

Ingredients:
About 1 tablespoon butter
2 slices of Udi’s Omega Flax & Fiber Bread (or your favorite Udi’s gluten-free bread)
2-4 slices of Horizon Organic Provolone Cheese
4 slices thin-sliced Prosciutto
10-12 ripe blackberries – or 2 tablespoons blackberry preserves
1/8 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place one of the slices of bread butter side down in a skillet over medium heat.

Place 1-2 slices of cheese on the bread. Next top with ½ the prosciutto, the blackberries, the remaining prosciutto, and 1-2 slice of cheese.  Top with the remaining piece of bread, butter side up.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown.

While the sandwich is grilling, heat the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over high heat. The vinegar will boil quickly, so whisk often to prevent scorching. Add in the sugar little-by-little. Cook, and continue whisking, until the vinegar is reduced by about ½ and is syrupy and thick.

Drizzle the Balsamic Reduction in a fun pattern on the plate. Place the halved sandwich on top. Dip sandwich into the reduction for a tangy dipping experience!

Makes 1 sandwich.

This Grilled Cheese Sandwich is my adaptation of my favorite appetizer, Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon. By substituting the blue cheese with Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese you’ll find cheese that melts beautifully, with a sharpness that mates well with the sweetness of the figs and the smoky bacon.

This is also a perfect appetizer. After cooking cut into bite-sized strips and serve.

Want to see other Grilled Cheese Creations using Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread and Horizon Organic  Cheese? Check out these links:

Prosciutto and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction

Honey-Apple & Strawberry Grilled Cheesy Breakfast Sandwich

Cherrywood Smoked Bacon & Fig Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Inspired by my favorite appetizer, Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, this combination takes the grilled cheese sandwich to the next level.

Ingredients:

4 slices cooked Cherrywood Smoked Bacon
2 slices of Udi’s Gluten-Free White Sandwich Bread
About 1 tablespoon of butter, for the skillet
1 ½ tablespoons Fig Butter or Fig Preserves (find this in the jam section of your local grocer)
2 slices of Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese

Instructions:
Equally spread the Fig Butter equally on each slice of bread.

In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, place a slice of bread Fig Butter side up in the skillet. Top with a slice of cheese. Next top with the cooked Cherrywood Smoked Bacon (halved) and then the second slice of cheese. Place the second slice of bread Fig Butter side down on sandwich.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, ooey and gooey.

Serve immediately.

Makes 1 Fig-licious sandwich.

I heard the buzz start several months ago. People were chatting, blogging and spreading gluten-free love about the most unbelievable bread they have ever tasted. I thought that it was just hype, gluten-free hysteria gone viral. In the back of my mind, I thought, “Really Folks…. Come on, R-E-A-L-L-Y?  How can gluten-free bread taste JUST like the real deal?”

But after trying Udi’s White Sandwich bread it was love at first slice.

Udi’s not only taste different than other gluten-free breads, it looks and feels different than other gluten-free breads too. Why, you ask, is Udi’s different than other gluten-free breads? Let me list some of the ways:

It can not be confused with a cinder block: The first think I noticed is the weight of a loaf of Udi’s bread. It’s light as air and picking it up doesn’t take two hands, and more muscle than one can muster… or is worth. 

Udi’s gluten-free bread is dairy, nut and soy free too: Great for everyone with multiple allergies.

Light, fluffy texture: This is the most important pointer in this list. The texture is like real white bread, soft and airy. Use it for sandwiches, French Toast or butter and jam. The list is endless – which brings up the next point…

Perfect for dipping into herbed olive oil: I miss bread that is capable of dipping into and soaking up perfectly herbed good quality olive oil. Thank you Udi for giving me back this simple pleasure.

No Defrosting: With Udi’s planning to have a piece of toast in the morning or a quick sandwich mid-day doesn’t require defrosting bread the night before. With Udi’s you take the loaf out of the freezer and easily pop-off (no chiseling off each slice with a knife) the bread slices. Place them on the counter for only about 5 minutes for a perfect piece of fresh bread. Simple.

Toasts-up perfect: Udi’s bread toasts-up even and light brown, and keeps soft in the middle. Toasting perfection.

The heels are even good: Yup. I even eat the heels of Udi’s gluten-free breads. Toasting them up and adding a smear of peanut butter is a perfect snack. Enjoying the heels of any loaf of bread is the ultimate compliment, and a reminder to buy two loaves next time instead of one. 

All these reasons are why Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread is this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Give Udi’s a try and you’ll see for yourself, why you’ll be hooked after the first slice too.