Good Stuff

Baked Blueberry French Toast

This is a dish that wants to sit in the refridgerator overnight prior to baking. Aside from the time factor, this is an extremely simple and delicious breakfast treat. You'll find that it's worth the wait!

• 1 loaf Italian bread
• ½ c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ c. milk
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 Tblsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ c. powdered sugar
• 2½ cups blueberries

Slice the bread on the diagonal to create 8 ¾ in thick slices with the heels removed. Arrange the bread slices in 10×15 baking dish.

Whip the eggs, milk, baking powder, & vanilla in medium bowl. Slowly pour the mixture over the bread, turning each slice to coat it completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning:, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat another 10×15 baking dish with vegetable spray. Sprinkle the blueberries over bottom of pan. Mix together sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch and pour evenly over blueberries. Tightly wedge the bread slices over the blueberries, wettest side up. Brush the bread with melted butter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

To serve, place the toast berry side down. Stir the remaining berry mixture in the baking dish and scoop over the toast. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

FACTOID: According to the USDA, blueberries have been voted one of the top healthy "super foods". It contains the most antioxidants out of 40 other fruits and vegetables Scientific research has consistently backed up claims that the berries can assist in such health issues as weight control and the effects of aging. Luckily they are in season at the moment. Try to find berries with the darkest color. The deeper the shade of blue, the more nutrients it contains.

Iron Mountain Faux Basalt Columns

We use natural stone for our water features almost exclusively. Our signature three basalt column feature contains some heavy rock - heavy enough that our guys can barely wrestle them into place without resorting to machinery. But what if you're not six feet tall, 200 pounds, strong and able bodied? What if you have limited access to area where you want your water feature? These obstacles can be overcome by the use of faux rock.

Bud Hinegardner is a local craftsman and the owner/operator of the company Boulder Design. His Iron Mountain bubbler columns look as close to the real thing as we've ever seen. They come ready to be plumbed as if they were real core-drilled basalt columns.

They are also economical. The 43" is $430, the 34" is $340, the 28" is $296, the 22" is $220, and the 16" is $160. Real columns easily cost double this accross the board! Come check 'em out in Monroe.