Chocolate Banana French Toast with Gay Lea's Newest Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadable Butter

As an avid baker and cook, you can only imagine my elation when I received notice that I was selected as one of the newest Gay Lea Brand Ambassadors!

Gay Lea has been a staple brand in our family kitchen for the longest time!

I remember making many of my grilled cheese sandwiches during my college years using Gay Lea Butter to my first attempt making a cake! As there were some hits and misses among the successful attempts, one thing's for sure -- licking the spoon was always a must! 

Fond Gay Lea memories, indeed.

Their dairy products are not only known because of the brand name but because they simply taste wonderful!

Their latest product to hit shelves is their Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Spreadables Butter with Canola Oil.

Check out that buttery, brown sugary and cinnamon goodness!

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this product was FRENCH TOAST!

French Toast was not only a childhood favourite of mine but now it's a family tradition for us to serve French Toast on Sunday mornings in our home. 

It's much requested for breakfast but also for dessert after dinner too!

As much as I love the original way of making the beloved French Toast, I like to take it a notch higher for my family by including a couple of their favourite things.

For us, it's bananas and chocolate (nutella!).

CHOCOLATE BANANA FRENCH TOAST 

This is a truly decadent treat that your family and especially the kids will enjoy!
It's also a nice treat for you too. Go ahead, indulge!

Ingredients:

• 10 Slices of Bread
• Gay Lea Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Spreadables Butter
• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup of Milk
• 1 Tsp Sugar
• Nutella
• Bananas
• Icing Sugar
• Canola Oil
• Strawberries and/or Blueberries (optional)

Method:

1) In a shallow bowl, beat eggs with fork and stir in vanilla, milk and sugar 

2) On Medium Heat, heat up a tablespoon of oil in griddle or skillet

3) Butter both sides of one bread with Gay Lea Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadables Butter and the one side of another bread with nutella
4) Add sliced bananas on top of nutella bread and then close together with the buttered bread

5) Dip in liquid batter so that entirely coated and then add to griddle
6) Transfer bread slices to griddle or skillet, heating slowly until bottom is golden brown. Turn and brown the other side.

Serve French Toast with chopped strawberries and/or blueberries with a sprinkling of icing sugar and/or maple syrup.

Yes, it's as delicious as it looks!
(Please refrain from licking the screen).

One of my readers will WIN a One Year Supply of Gay Lea's Newest Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadables with 12 FPC's (that's a whole lotta butter and French Toast!)

To be eligible to win, leave me a comment telling me what you would make with the new Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Spreadables Butter and enter via rafflectoper below for more additional entries.

Open to Canadian Residents only (excluding Quebec).
Contest ends 10/25.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.” 

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Don't Fear the Carbs! with Dempster's® Thins Plus #Giveaway

Thank goodness for guilt-free carbs!
Dempster's® has recently come out with "the best THINS since sliced bread!". Featuring their latest yummy creation, Dempster's® Thins.
As part of their weight management product line, Dempster's® brings you Thins in White, Brown and Multigrain Bread and Tortillas.

I enjoy brown and multigrain bread and they work well with specific kinds of sandwiches but my heart still belongs to white bread.

My daughter can sniff out the difference when making her sandwiches no matter what I do; she also loves white bread!
I say "Don't fear the Carbs!" Well, I can say that now with Dempster's® Thins products.

Try out these delicious sandwich favourites for you and your family with the new Dempster's® Thins and enjoy some guilt-free carb-o-licious indulgence.










We love grilled cheese in our family, especially my daughter, but I wanted to create one that was hubby-friendly too!
A measly grilled cheese just will not cut it for him.
But I think I have just the thing...

... just add the Bacon! Duh!
No man can ever say NO to bacon. No women for that matter (you know I'm right, ladies).

BACON GUACAMOLE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bacon
• 4 slices of Dempster's® Thins Bread (any you like)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons pressed avocado
• 2 tablespoons crushed tortilla chips

Directions
1) Cook bacon until crispy; set aside.
2) Butter one side of each side of bread and place two slices in a heated skillet, butter side down.
3) Spread each bread slice with avocado then layer cheese, bacon and tortilla chips. Top each with one slice of remaining bread, butter side up.
4) Grill over medium heat, flipping once, until golden brown or until cheese is melted.

I'm a sucker for anything guacamole and bacon. Just saying.

And for something a little more light, and a great option for the kids, try out my Turkey & Tomato Panini. It's all in the sauce!

TURKEY AND TOMATO PANINI

Ingredients: 

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 8 slices Dempster's® Thins Bread
• 8 ounces thinly sliced deli turkey
• 8 tomato slices
• 2 teaspoons canola oil

Directions:
1) Heat up your Panini Press or if you don't have one have four 15-ounce cans and a medium skillet (not nonstick) ready by the stove.

2) Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, Parmesan, basil, lemon juice and pepper in a small bowl. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the mixture on each slice of bread.

3) Divide turkey and tomato slices among 4 slices of bread; top with the remaining bread.

4) Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 panini in the pan. Place the medium skillet on top of the panini, then weight it down with the cans. Cook the panini until golden on one side, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, flip the panini, replace the top skillet and cans, and cook until the second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more. Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and the remaining panini.

Enjoy!

To learn more about Dempster's® Thins products visit them at: www.dempsters.ca/.
They're also social and if you want to catch some great recipes and deals like coupons and contests, check them out on Facebook.

I'm giving away 2 sets of 4 Dempster's® Coupons for you to try the new Dempster's® Thins for yourself!
To win, simply leave a comment below telling me what your FAVOURITE SANDWICH is!
Easy!
*Open to Canadians only.
Contest ends October 1st, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I am part of the MLF Connects Blogger Program and receive perks and compensation as part of this program however all opinions expressed are my very own.

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A Taste of Paris: Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread Review & Giveaway

I still remember the tantalizing scent of fresh bread being made in a Parisian boulangerie.  You can never forget that aroma.

When we were staying in a Pied-à-Terre in Paris, there was a local Boulangerie situated just a few steps away but when those windows were open, especially early morning, you would catch a whiff of baking bread.  Oh my goodness was it heavenly.  Some mornings, my husband and I would drift over there following the enticing trail and choose from a variety of freshly made french bread (we love baguettes!) to bring back the the apartment for a petit-déjeuner (small breakfast) coupled with freshly brewed coffee.

My name is Carol and I am addicted to Carbs. Guilty.as.charged.

When I was introduced to Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread my mind instantly went back to my memories in Paris.  The thickness and texture of the bread reminded me of the fresh thickly cut slices of bread I would have there. It's perfect for dipping or coupled with some warm, hearty soup.  One of my favourites during the colder months is French Onion Soup.
This bread goes superbly with it! Try this easy dinner recipe tonight!

French Onion Soup
Adapted from Love Paris, Love Food by Kate Whiteman

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (splurge for the French butter!)
• 1 1/2 pounds onions, very thinly sliced
• 1 t sugar
• 2/3 cup dry white wine (or substitute water if you don't have any on hand)
• 5 cups good beef stock (I cheat and make 5 cups using Better Than Bullion beef cubes from the grocery store.)
• Salt and pepper
• Toasted slices of bread (preferably Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread or a baguette)
• 1 3/4 cups freshly grated Gruyere cheese

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onions. Sprinkle with sugar and saute for about 5 minutes. The onions will start to caramelize.
2. Turn the heat down as low as possible and cook the onions very gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they don't burn. The onions will become very soft and a deep nutty brown.
3. Add the wine and let it bubble for a few minutes. The alcohol will burn off, leaving the wine flavor behind. Pour in the beef stock and stir. Scrape any onions from the bottom of the pan.
4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the soup for 30 minutes.

Fancy Finish
Season the soup with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into individual heatproof bowls. Heat the broiler to high. Float the sliced bread on top of the soup and sprinkle with freshly grated Gruyere cheese. Place the soup bowl under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

Easy Finish
Season the soup with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into individual bowls, floating sliced bread on the top. Top with freshly grated Gruyere cheese.

Bon Appétit!

My family and I both absolutely love this bread.  Dempster's has never disappointed with any of their baked goods and definitely hit it on the nail with this new recipe.

I put it to the test with my 4 year old bon vivant, aka the peanut butter and banana sandwich expert, to see if it was a hit or miss.
Sure enough, she loved it!

For more updates, recipes, cool contests and giveaways and more, make sure you're following Dempster's on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

There's so much you can make with this bread, I want to give you the opportunity to try it out for yourself.

Two of my readers will win 4 Dempster's coupons each just by commenting below and telling me what they would make with their Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread.

Simple!

Using rafflecopter, you have more ways to win with additional entries.

Open to Canadian Residents only. Contest Ends November 16, 2012.

**Disclosure: I am a member of the MLF Connects Program.  As part of my participation in this program I have received compensation, however all opinions expressed are my very own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Ode to White Bread: Dempsters $10,000 White Bread Taste-Off

White bread or Whole Grain Bread? That is the question.
You know as well as I do that as much as whole grain bread is rather tasty and considered the healthier option, white bread will always taste better.  Admit it!
I can't be a hypocrite and act like I've been loyal to my white bead love, because I haven't.
Being the typical carb-obsessed female that I am, I have replaced my beloved white bread for whole grains although I have to concede that many of my favored sandwiches just aren't the same without white bread.

My family has a serious devotion to sandwiches.

My 3 year old daughter and my husband are both adamant when it comes to their white bread.  They prefer it and I have absolutely no problem with that.  Although I have tried to get them on board the whole grain train, yes I have tried, but always a no-show.

I've tried to fool them by toasting the whole grain or making a panini out of it with the ingredients -- didn't work.  They have this special "gift" for pinpointing whether or not they are having white bread.

Dempsters happens to be our go-to bread because of it's texture and taste and ability to satisfy my picky-eater's taste buds.
I've tried other bread, but they spoil quickly and don't really keep their texture. Dempsters has never done that for me before a loaf is done.

Just yesterday for dinner, we had sandwiches! This sandwich I usually make with strictly white bread because it does not taste the same with any other kind.
I made this grilled sandwich with Pepper Jack, Shredded Beef, Tomato, Onion, Cilantro & Serrano Peppers. Yummy!  Extremely Filling and my family loved it.  There's so many great recipes you can make with bread and who doesn't love a good sandwich?

According to a recent survey commissioned by Dempsters®, over half of Canadians agree certain recipes are yummier when made with sliced white bread.  What’s to like about sliced white bread?  The poll reveals that 72% love it for its freshness and soft texture.  Most Importantly, a good majority feel it is irreplaceable as an ingredient in preparing some of their most beloved comfort foods!

Okay my fellow White Bread Lovers, some exciting and HUGE news from Dempters®.

To celebrate Canada’s love for great tasting white bread, Dempster’s® is asking Canadians to share their favourite recipes on their Facebook page and participate in the Dempster’s® Great White Bread Taste-Off*.
The top 10 entries (as selected by Dempster’s®) will be judged and advance to their final Taste-Off to determine who will win bragging rights as Canada’s White Bread Champion and winner of the $10,000 Grand Prize!

Hello? $10,000 dollars? Just to share your favourite white bread recipe? Get on it, folks!
What can you do with an extra $10k? A whole lotta bread and a nice vacay perhaps? :)

To learn more about Dempster’s and their amazing line-up of baked goods, visit Dempsters.ca.

Now that Easter is fast approaching (a much celebrated occasion in our household - my little bunny has her basket ready!), I came across this wonderful recipe for Easter Egg Salad Sandwiches. 

Egg Salad sandwiches are an absolute favourite in my home.

Here is a great recipe to try for your little Easter bunnies this Easter:

Easter Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe

From Barbara Adams, Beyond Wonderful Blog.

On Easter, a confetti-toned salad is the perfect way to delight hungry kids and use up extra eggs. (Plus it's no less delicious than the ordinary kind!)

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled colored eggs, chopped
• 2 scallions, minced
• 1/ 3 cup Hellmans mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method:

1. Place the chopped eggs, scallions, mayonnaise, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix well.

2. Adjust the seasonings to your preference.

Cover and refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavor to develop.

Preparation Time:  5 minutes with pre-boiled eggs, plus several hours downtime

I'm not finished yet!

GIVEAWAY
Who wants FREE COUPONS for FREE Dempster's Products?

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Disclosure: I am a member of the Maple Leaf Foods Connects program. I received an incentive for my participation. However, all opinions and ideas shared on this blog are my very own.

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