French Toast with Maple Apples

• HEALTHY
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 3 large eggs
2. 1 cup skim milk
3. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4. 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
5. Eight 3/4-inch-thick slices of white bread ( 1/2 pound)
6. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
7. 2 Granny Smith apples (1 pound)—peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch thick
8. 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
9. 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
10. 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1. In a shallow glass dish, beat the eggs with the skim milk, vanilla and nutmeg. Add the bread, turn to coat and let soak for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the apples and 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add the cinnamon and the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and simmer for 1 minute; keep warm.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and cook half of the bread until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and bread. Halve the slices of French toast on the diagonal and stack on plates. Top with the apples and serve.