Well, everything we have worked so hard for is here. Your family will arrive soon (if they haven’t already). You may have some wrapping left, you may have some cooking left. How about a couple of recipes for breakfast casseroles? Something ready to go into the oven in the morning? You can get up, put coffee on, slide the casserole in the oven, presto! If you had the forethought to set the table the night before, you can now enjoy your morning. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Breakfast Casserole
12 slices bacon
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 cups croutons
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
6 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1 bell pepper (any color), diced
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Directions: Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Melt butter in the microwave, or in a small pan on the stove over low heat.
Spray a 9×12-inch baking dish with vegetable spray. Place croutons in the bottom of the dish, and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with grated Cheddar cheese.
Crack the eggs into a bowl, whisking to break up the yolks. Add milk, peppers, mustard, salt and pepper, and beat until well combined. Pour over the croutons and cheese, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.
Sausage and Egg Casserole
1 pound pork sausage
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 eggs, beaten
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Directions: Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with crescent roll dough, and sprinkle with crumbled sausage.
In a large bowl, mix beaten eggs, mozzarella and cheddar. Season the mixture with oregano, and pour over the sausage and crescent rolls. Bake 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
I really enjoy this time with you each week and would love to hear from you. Do you have any requests? Is there a recipe you have been looking for or remember from your younger years? Can I help you find it? Do you have any recipes that are special to you that you could share with us? Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
