Strawberry-Filled French Toast with Caramel and Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 0.8 cup egg substitute 
• 2 large eggs 
• 0.5 cup evaporated milk fat-free
• 2 cups skim milk fat-free
• 12 ounce bread french cut into 16 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar 
• 0.3 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.1 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 3 tablespoons pecans chopped
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 
• 0.1 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup strawberry jam 
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• 3 tablespoons water 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• baking pan

Directions

1. To prepare sauce, combine granulated sugar and water in a medium, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Cover and cook over medium heat 1 minute. Uncover and cook 5 minutes or until light golden (do not stir).
2. Remove from heat, and let stand 1 minute.
3. Add butter; stir until melted.
4. Add evaporated milk; stir constantly.
5. Place pan over medium heat; cook 3 minutes or until caramel melts and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly.
6. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt.
7. To prepare French toast, pour sauce into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 8 bread slices in dish.
8. Spread preserves evenly over bread; top with remaining bread.
9. Combine fat-free milk and next 6 ingredients (through eggs).
10. Pour milk mixture over bread; sprinkle with pecans.
11. Preheat oven to 35
12. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35 minutes or until top is golden.
13. Let cool 5 minutes.
14. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.