Holiday Wreath Giveaway

With the holiday season finally here, the season of giving and being charitable has also arrived for many of us. So when the kind folks over at Lindsay Olives (you might remember my Bloody Olivia drink that was sponsored by them) approached me yet again with a wonderful giveaway for my readers, I did not hesitate. Lindsay Olives is selling beautiful fresh handmade wreaths made from olive, bay and eucalyptus branches on their website with all the proceeds going towards the The Meals on Wheels Association of America.

The Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. MOWAA's mission is to end senior hunger by 2020. With our economy still trying to recover, programs like these are definitely in high demand. To get more information about helping or how to locate a local Meals on Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org. If this is a cause that you find worthy to support you can donate  directly (remember, no donation is ever to small, even a few dollars can help), or you can purchase one of the gorgeous wreaths from Lindsay Olives by either ordering online or by calling (800) 765-2029 . The wreaths come in two sizes, a 12-inch and a 16-inch, are reasonably priced, make for beautiful holiday decorations or gifts and best of all you can support a great cause.

For the giveaway, Lindsay Olives generously offered me two of their 16-inch wreaths to give away to two of my wonderful readers. I'm thinking that is certainly a fantastic way to kick off the season!

* This Giveaway is CLOSED*

As always, here are a few rules for entering:

- To enter, simply leave me a comment of what you are planning to do this season to help or support a worthy cause

- For a second (bonus) entry, go to facebook and "like" MOWAA, then let me know in a separate comment you did this

- For a third (bonus) entry, follow my blog on google friend connect, then let me know in a separate comment that you already do or did

- This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only (sorry my international friends)

- The wreath must be shipped to a physical street address, sorry no P.O. Boxes

- The giveaway will close on December 2nd at midnight pacific time.

I will pick two winners via Random.org, which will be announced on December 3rd. Lindsay Olives will then ship the wreaths to you before Christmas, so please make sure to contact me quickly with your address/shipping information if you are the winner.

A Blog Update

Hi guys!

I'm sure by now a few of you have been wondering were my posts for this week are and while I wasn't sure if this would be the right forum, I also figured I owed you guys an explanation for my absence. The truth is that I've been dealing with some health related issues for a couple of months now and while I thought I could do it "all", I've been brought back to reality when I started feeling worse with each passing day. I struggled through last week and have finally reached the conclusion over the weekend that I needed to stop pretending everything is fine. My priorities have always been family and friends first and following a close third this blog, which has become my creative outlet. The one place that has brought me immense joy, where I could "shine" and allowed me to meet so many wonderful, encouraging, and talented people all over the world. Unfortunately, with pretty much zero energy and a few other problems associated with my illness, I realized I couldn't keep up the pace I had been keeping. I don't know when I will feel better at this point, but I do know that I love this little place I have created for myself on the Internet. So, at this point I guess all I'm asking of you is that you continue to be patient and supportive of Susi's Kochen und Backen. In return, all I can promise at this point is that I'm not giving up blogging, but depending on how I'm feeling any given day or week, you may see more or less of me. Some weeks I might feel good enough to post a few times, while during others I will struggle to put on one post and on others, like this past week, I may not even be able to do one. I'm also sorry for my lack of commenting. I will still try and visit a few pages a day, but this is all taking a little backseat while I'm trying to feel better. I'm not asking for sympathy, but any good vibes or prayers you want to send my way would be greatly appreciated.

With love,

Susi

(Susi's Kochen und Backen Adventures)

Apple Toffee French Toast Bake with Apple Syrup

 

Sometimes I happen to find recipes in the strangest places and those turn out to be the best ones. Today's recipe came in a little Magazine that Costco puts out for their members called Costco Connections. I was doing a quick thumb through before putting it in my recycling pile and that is when this recipe caught me eye. After reading through the recipe I knew I had to make this for my family. Apples, toffee and french toast? There was no way this could go wrong. Hold on, there is also cream cheese and toffee bits in the filling? And the finished bake is topped with an apple syrup? Sold, sold, sold!

This is definitely not a weekday recipe (unless you are on vacation or you like getting up really early), but more of a weekend breakfast/brunch item. The preparation is pretty much a cinch, but you do have to let the casserole soak overnight, plus count in the baking time the next morning. French bread is cut into cubes, half of the bread is layered into a greased casserole dish before topping it with a tart apple variety (I used Granny Smith) that has been chopped. Cream cheese is then mixed with brown sugar, white sugar and apple juice until creamy and smooth and then English toffee bits are stirred in. This mixture is spread over the apples and finally the other half of the bread goes on top. The whole casserole gets an egg/milk bath and is placed in the refrigerator overnight to soak and let the flavors mingle. The next morning, after letting the dish come to room temperature, it is baked until the eggs are set. Meanwhile the apple syrup is prepared. It is simply apple juice, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice which are brought to a boil and finally butter is incorporated.

Wow, wow, wow! This is pretty much one of the best sweet french toast bakes I have ever made. It is wonderfully crunchy on top, creamy in the middle with just a hint of toffee, tart apples and a custard like consistency. Absolutely amazing! The syrup just adds another little bit of apple flavor, but this would be just as tasty with maple syrup. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, many of us will be hosting guests and this French Toast would be wonderful for anyone to wake up to. If you like apples and enjoy breakfasts on the sweeter side, this is one recipe I'm urging you to make this season. I don't think you will regret it!

Apple Toffee French Toast Bake with Apple Syrup

(adapted from "Costco Connections")

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

For the French Toast:

8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 tart apples, peeled and chopped (I used Granny Smith)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup apple juice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

1/2 cup English toffee bits

6 eggs

1 cup milk

For the Apple Syrup:

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups apple juice

2 tablespoons lemon juice

5 tablespoons butter

Preparation:

For the French Toast: Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan; top with apples. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugars, apple juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth; stir in toffee bits. Spread over apples. Top with remaining bread cubes.

In another large bowl, beat the eggs, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well blended; pour over bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

While the French toast is baking, prepare the syrup.

For the Apple Syrup: In a medium-size saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple juice and lemon juice; heat to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil for 1 minutes, then stir in butter. Serve over warm Apple Toffee French Toast Bake.

Adapted from: Costco Connections