Banana-Stuffed French Toast Recipe

1 cup mashed ripe banana
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
4 (1-inch-thick) slices Italian bread
1 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 large egg whites
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons margarine, divided
1/2 cup maple syrup

1. Combine banana and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir well; set aside.

2. Cut bread slices in half crosswise; cut a slit through cut sides of each
piece of bread to form a pocket. Stuff 2 tablespoons banana mixture into pocket of each piece of bread.

3. Combine milk and next 6 ingredients (milk through eggs) in a large shallow dish, and stir well with a whisk. Arrange stuffed bread pieces in a single layer in dish, turning to coat. Cover and chill 45 minutes or until milk mixture is absorbed, turning bread pieces over after 20 minutes.

4. Melt 1 teaspoon margarine in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add
half of bread pieces. Cook 4 minutes. Carefully turn bread over; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining margarine and bread pieces. Serve with maple syrup. Yield: 4 servings(serving size: 2 bread pieces and 2 tablespoons maple syrup).