Costco Connection - December 2010

Very Strawberry
Stuffed French Toast

Comfort
cuisine

1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons strawberry preserves 1 tablespoon shredded orange zest 4 eggs

1 cup half-and-half

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

11⁄ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

8 slices Texas Toast-style bread, challah
or another thick-sliced bread
Butter
Sliced fresh strawberries (optional)
Powdered sugar (optional)

Back to familiar basics
for the holidays

66 The Costco Connection DECEMBER 2010

PERHAPS IT’S OUR instincts, which nudge us to store up sustenance for the winter months, or the holidays, a time for indulgences. Whatever the reason, this time of year calls for a familiar cuisine: comfort food.

And who’s more qualified to offer comfort-food advice and recipes than Sandra Lee? This Costco member, Food Network star and author of 22 cookbooks has come out with a new work, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Comfort Food, just in time for holiday parties and gifts. The Connection recently met with Lee to talk about her latest book and more over breakfast at a Lower Manhattan restaurant.

The Costco Connection: First, tell us about the concept behind Comfort Food.

Sandra Lee: I think all cooking these days
is comfort food, because being at home in your
kitchen and with your family is comforting for
everyone. The book is a collection of recipes
that are easy, with new spins—hearty, stick-to-
your-bones food that everybody loves. That’s
everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to a
beautiful bacon-wrapped meatloaf.

CC: The timing sounds just right for the holidays.

SL: People need fast, easy meals to fix around the holidays so they can get their shop-

By Tim Talevich

Sandra Lee

In a small mixing bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, strawberry preserves and orange zest until smooth. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, Grand Marnier and vanilla extract. Pour into a shallow bowl or pie plate. Set aside.

With a paring knife, slice a pocket into the side of each bread slice (do not cut all of the way through the bread). Fill bread slices with a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture.

In a skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Dip filled bread in egg mixture and brown for 1 to 2 minutes per side in hot butter. Serve hot with strawberry syrup, sliced fresh strawberries and powdered sugar (optional). Makes 4 servings.

ping, decorating and planning done for the big family feast. So this is not only a helpful resource, but a good gift idea.

CC: Any tips for surviving the holidays in the kitchen?

SL: Prepare in advance and freeze. Be organized: Know what your menu is. And don’t be afraid to delegate. If your sister is coming to dinner, ask her to do the peas and carrots, or the pie and cake. Then everybody helps clean up.

CC: Your favorite holiday traditions?

SL: The kids get to choose three gifts: one for the mind, one for the heart and one for the body. Also, the kids gather up toys and clothes they’re not using anymore and donate them to a charity. C

Costco features Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Comfort Food online at Costco.com. You’ll also find many of the ingredients for these Sandra Lee comfort-food recipes, and other fine foods, in your local Costco warehouse.