The Valley Green Inn

Please remember that the quality of your ingredients will have an unmistakable impact on your finished product.  Some of the items listed are available at your local baker and specialty food store. After saying this, let’s make this easy to prepare dish.

Serves 4

8 pieces Challah bread

2 cups half & half

2T cinnamon

1/4 cup banana liqueur (optional)

2T vanilla (real) if using imitation, increase to 3 T

4 whole eggs (not beaten)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (extra fine if available)

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2 whole bananas,

1/4 wheel double cream brie cheese (cut into 8 thin pieces)

1 pint real Vermont maple syrup (room temperature)

1 stick sweet, unsalted butter

Pinch salt

1. In a medium-hot pan, melt 2 oz of butter. After butter melts, but before starting to brown, add walnuts. Reduce heat to medium and lightly cook walnuts until you begin to smell aroma of toasted nuts. Add bananas to walnuts. Cook approximately 3-5 minutes or until bananas begin to carmelize. Remove pan from heat (VERY IMPORTANT, DO NOT add liqueur to pan while still on burner), add banana liqueur and return to heat. If pan is hot enough, liqueur will begin to flame. Wait until all excess liqueur is burned off and remove from heat. If pan is not hot enough, let most of the liquid evaporate until removing from heat. Add maple syrup and set aside in serving container. (the longer the mixture sits, the more flavor the syrup will have)

2. Combine half & half, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, sugar, pinch of salt in shallow bowl. Stir vigorously to combine cinnamon with mixture. (you may have to stir slightly before adding bread to mixture)

3. Dip challah bread into egg mixture, make sure that bread soaks up liquid. Heat pan to medium. Melt tablespoon of butter. After butter has melted and before it begins to brown, add two slices to pan. GENTLY lay bread into butter. After approximately 30-45 seconds, turn over 1 slice, place brie on cooked side of challah. Place other piece of challah bread on top of brie. (uncooked side still facing up) Cook another minute, turn over, cook one more minute.

Place on a plate, spoon your syrup mixture on top and ENJOY!