Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Blueberry Stuffed French Toast specialty of the Parish House Inn, an Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area bed and breakfast

Blueberry Stuffed French Toast with Blueberry Sauce

"This brings rave reviews from my guests", say Chris Mason,
innkeeper at the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast.
Blueberry Stuffed French Toast with Blueberry Sauce

Serves 8 to 10

A simple recipe that will be a hit on your brunch table.


Coat a 9X13X2 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  1. Cut 12 slices of a Challah (sweet egg bread) into cubes and place half into the pan.
  2. Cut 2 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese into cubes and 1 cup blueberries and scatter over the bread cubes.
  3. Place remaining bread cubes over the fulling and press down lightly.
  4. Whisk together 12 eggs, 2 cups milk and 1/3 cup maple syrup and pour over the bread mixture in pan. Top with foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.
  5. The next morning, preheat oven to 350o.
  6. Remove French toast from the refrigerator and place on the middle rack in the oven, leaving the foil on the pan. Bake for 30 minutes and then remove the foil. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until puffy and the top is golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes before serving with Blueberry Sauce.B
Blueberry Sauce


2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnmon
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 cup orange juice
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1. In a 1 quart saucepan mix together sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon.
2. Add water and orange juice, mix well and cook over medium heat until thickened.
3. Add blueberries and simmer for about 10 minutes or until berries have burst, stirring occassionally.
4 Serve with French Toast or pancakes.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Lilac Hedge blooming at the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast


The patio at the Parish House Inn, an Ann Arbor area bed and breakfast is filled with the aroma of this lilac hedge.  These are actually a dwarf lilac variety that we have just let grow and so are now huge plants that provide a wall of flowers and greenery on one side of the patio. Right now the aroma just overwhelms your senses when you are outside. Of course these usually don't bloom until the end of May, but then everything is a few weeks early this year thanks to our warm spell in March. So come and enjoy this lovely sight and enjoy the scent of these lilacs while they are in full bloom. 

Chris Mason

Innkeeper
Parish House Inn

Monday, May 7, 2012

Spring in the Garden at the Parish House Inn

This view from the parking lot, where the boxwood hedge and climbing roses frame the patio.
This "Dwarf Lilac" hedge usually blooms at the end of May but is  flowering May 7 .
A view into the private patio with  the two seat glider ready for guests to relax and enjoy the day.

Our patio is surrounded by greenery...climbing roses, hostas, dwarf lilacs and day lilies.  In  the summer there are large pots of geraniums and herbs for color and fragrance. It is a just a few steps to the edge of the back yard where you can see the swiftly moving  Huron River  and the wildlife that call it home. Just book your room right on line and you too can enjoy the view.

Chris Mason
Innkeeper
Parish House Inn