Mango French Toast (vegan)

Mangoes are 2/$1 right now at Kroger so we like to stock up while we can get this delicious, exotic fruit.

I love hearing little B. demand "more mango!" - he can't get enough of fresh, diced mango at snack times!  I feel so fortunate to live in a country where we have such an abundant variety of produce and that I'm able to shape his little palate for healthy, nutrient rich foods as he grows!

*For more about Mango health benefits, see the end of this recipe

Since we love mangoes, I thought it might be fun to try to incorporate them into breakfast another way, other than fresh and raw.

This French Toast is simple, egg-free and will impress guests if you're making a brunch!
(and to make "regular" vegan French Toast, just omit the mango and keep recipe as is otherwise)

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients:

2 Mangoes, peeled and cut from flesh (carefully!)

1 1/3 c. Nondairy milk of choice (Soy, almond etc.)

3 TBSP Flour

Pinch of salt

1 TBSP Nutritional Yeast *Optional
(Found at Whole Foods in vitamin section, adds a nutty/cheesy/eggy flavor to the batter)

6 Slices hearty, whole grain bread
(I used Great Harvest bread - you need a thicker bread that won't get overly soggy and disintegrate in the batter)

Method:

Place flesh of 1 Mango, milk, flour, yeast and salt in a blender or mini food processor (I used the Ninja)

Puree until liquid

Pour into a large pan (I used a 9x13 Pyrex)

Lay bread in pan, 2 at a time, letting pieces soak for a few minutes on each side

Heat a large frying pan with butter or oil on Medium heat
(I find using a spatula vs. a fork to turn pieces makes for less bread breakage and mess)

Fry each slice of bread about 5 min. per side, remove slices when both sides are browned but not burned

*Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a try with parchment, warm cooked French Toast in the oven as you are cooking the rest and while you are waiting to eat

Dice 2nd Mango and set aside

Finish by topping  French Toast with diced mango and syrup
(and powdered sugar if you're feeling fancy!)

Health benefits of Mangoes

• Mango fruit is rich in pre-biotic dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and poly-phenolic flavonoid antioxidant compounds.
  
• According to new research study, mango fruit has been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. Several trial studies suggest that polyphenolic anti-oxidant compounds in mango are known to offer protection against breast and colon cancers.
  
• Mango fruit is an excellent source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. 100 g of fresh fruit provides 765 mg or 25% of recommended daily levels of vitamin A. Together, these compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in carotenes known to protect body from lung and oral cavity cancers.
  
• Fresh mango is a very rich source of potassium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
  
• It is also a very good source of vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin-C and vitamin-E. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals.  Vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine is required for GABA hormone production in the brain. It also controls homocystiene levels in the blood which may otherwise be harmful to blood vessels resulting in CAD and stroke.
  
• Copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as co-factors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Copper is also required for the production of red blood cells.
  

From http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/mango-fruit.html