The Chocolate Breakfast deck: Kids can make this special French toast.

Moms, start dropping hints now: If you want to indulge in chocolate first thing on Mother’s Day, leave this recipe lying around.

This chocolate French toast is easy enough that older kids may not need supervision, leaving Dad free for some last-minute shopping.

Orange segments, strawberries and tea make good accompaniments. And the recipe can be doubled so that everyone can indulge.

Chocolate Almond French Toast

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

2 eggs

1/2 cup half and half

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nonstick cooking spray

4 slices egg bread

4 teaspoons butter

1/4 cup grated semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

1/2 cup whipped cream

1/4 cup sliced almonds

* Beat eggs, half and half, powdered sugar and vanilla together in shallow dish. Set aside.

* Coat griddle or large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Dip bread slices in egg mixture and let them soak about 15 seconds. Cook bread slices until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Spread butter on toast, then sprinkle with grated chocolate. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with almonds.

2 servings. Each serving: 632 calories; 445 mg sodium; 288 mg cholesterol; 43 grams fat; 49 grams carbohydrates; 19 grams protein; 1.5 grams fiber.

MENU

Chocolate Almond French Toast

Oranges and Strawberries

Hot Tea

INGREDIENTS

STAPLES

Butter

Chocolate

Cooking spray

Eggs

Half and half

Powdered sugar

Tea

Vanilla extract

SHOPPING LIST

Egg bread

Oranges

Sliced almonds

Strawberries

Whipped cream

GAME PLAN

20 minutes before: Wash and slice strawberries. Cut up oranges.

15 minutes before: Combine eggs, half and half, sugar and vanilla.

10 minutes before: Cook French toast.

Just before serving: Garnish French toast and serve.

*

Provencal napkin from Lavender Blue, Los Angeles, and Jordano’s, Santa Barbara and Montecito.