Apricot Stuffed French Toast

Serves 16
2 - 1 pound loafs crusty French bread
1¼ cups milk
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup part skim milk Ricotta cheese
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup apricot preserves
Dash ground nutmeg
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
2 Tbsp. Butter or margarine
5 eggs
Orange Sauce *

Cut the French bread into diagonal slices about ½ inch thick. In a small mixing bowl beat together the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, dried apricots and apricot preserves. Spoon about 1 Tbsp. of the cheese mixture onto a slice of bread. Then top with another slice making a sandwich. (The sandwiches may be prepared the day before serving and refrigerated overnight in a tightly sealed plastic bag.)In a mixing bowl beat the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined. Melt the butter on a preheated, 350° F. griddle. Dip the stuffed bread slices into egg mixture and cook until golden brown, turning once.

Serve with orange sauce.