Strawberry and Banana Stuffed French Toast with Grand Marnier Syrup

• 3 cups hulled and quartered strawberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup Grand Marnier
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 to 4 grates fresh nutmeg
• 8 ounces whipped cream cheese
• 12 slices brioche bread
• 1 cup hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam
• 1 cup sliced fresh bananas
• 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Fresh whipped cream, for serving
• Toasted sliced almonds, for serving
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

1. For the macerated strawberries: In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water and stir.
2. Bring to a simmer, and then lower the heat and swirl.
3. Cook until the strawberries are soft (but not falling apart) and the liquid is syrupy, 7 to 8 minutes.
4. Set aside to cool.
5. For the Grand Marnier syrup: Combine the Grand Marnier, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Set aside to cool.
7. For the strawberry and banana stuffed French toast: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
8. Stir the cream cheese to soften, and then spread on 6 of the bread slices.
9. Top each slice with a layer of the strawberries.
10. Spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on the other 6 pieces of bread, and top each slice with a layer of the bananas.
11. Place each bread slice with strawberries together with a bread slice with bananas to form 6 sandwiches.
12. Press around the edges to seal.
13. Melt the butter in a nonstick saute pan (or flat griddle top) over medium-low heat.
14. Dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture for a few seconds on each side, allowing any excess to drain off, and then place in the pan.
15. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
16. Slice in half on the diagonal and serve topped with the macerated strawberries, whipped cream, toasted almond slivers and a good dusting of confectioners' sugar.
17. Drizzle with the Grand Marnier syrup.

strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon, grand marnier, sugar, oranges, eggs, sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cream cheese, bread, fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, bananas, unsalted butter, fresh whipped cream, almonds, confectioners

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/strawberry-and-banana-stuffed-french-toast-with-grand-marnier-syrup-recipe.html (may not work)