This breakfast casserole is really good with maple sausage, but honestly we've had it with other flavors & it was just as good...so I'd think that if you're used to your veal sausage it would work for you. I prep the the night before & then put it in the oven when we get up Christmas morning. So it's something you could have made ahead if that helps your schedule & then baked at the last minute.
Breakfast Casserole
1 Can crescent rolls
or shredded potatoes, frozen
1 Roll sausage (use any flavor sausage, maple is very good)
2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 Eggs (more like 8 Jumbo ones)
¼ C milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread crescent rolls or potatoes in 9x12 pan.
Fry sausage and drain, crumble and put on top of rolls/potatoes. Sprinkle cheese over sausage. Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over cheese. (Cover & refrigerate if you're waiting to make until the next day.) Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes or until firm.
[NOTE: The original recipe calls for only 4 eggs, but we prefer to have a more even ratio of egg to the other stuff...or even a bit heavier on the egg...so I use 8 Jumbo eggs.
= = = = = =
This one is very sweet, but oh so good!
PEACH FRENCH TOAST
1 c packed brown sugar
½ c butter or margarine
2 Tbl water
1 can sliced peaches, drained (29 oz.)
12 slices French Bread, 3/4 inch thick (day old)
5 eggs
1½ c milk
1 Tbl vanilla
ground cinnamon
In a saucepan, bring brown sugar, water & butter to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour into a greased 13x9x2 inch pan. Top with peaches, arranging bread over peaches.
In a bowl whisk together eggs, milk & vanilla, slowly pour over bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate over night. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes covered. Remove cover & cook for 25-30 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
= = = = = =
I haven't made this one yet, but thought it might something different...it sounds like it might taste a bit like deviled eggs.
Savory Eggs
2 c cheddar cheese
¼ c butter
1 c whipping cream
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tsp prepared mustard
12 slightly beaten eggs
Layer cheese in a greased, 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Dot with butter. Mix cream, salt, pepper and mustard. Pour half of this mixture over cheese. Beat eggs and pour in dish. Add the rest of cream mixture. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
(This can be made right before baking or the night before.)
= = = = = =
For brunches or large gatherings I like this coffee cake recipe, but make it into cupcakes instead of a "cake".
Clyde’s Coffee Cake
2 c flour
1½ c sugar
¼ tsp salt
¼ lb butter, melted
2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
½ c warm water
1 tsp vanilla
Combine flour, sugar, salt & butter. Reserve 1 cup for crumbs. Add baking powder, egg, water & vanilla. Mix only until moist. Pour in greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Double to make 3 dozen cupcakes.
= = = = = =
For lunch items I like to use things like shrimp with cocktail sauce, a variety of cheeses & crackers, chips & dips like one of those layered Mexican things, pasta salad with or without meat, maybe baked macaroni & cheese or baked ziti...
I'm on my way out for a bit, but will check for other recipes when I get back. In the meantime, here are a couple recipes that might be something different for you:
Hearty Macaroni Salad
2 c cooked chicken, cubed (or shredded)
2 c cooked ham, cubed
2 c salad shrimp
8 oz macaroni shells
½ c celery, diced
¼ c sweet red pepper, diced
¼ c green pepper, diced
¼ c onion
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp sugar
½ c mayo
1 tsp dill weed, dry or
1 Tbl fresh dill weed
½ c sour cream
2 Tbl vinegar
Cook pasta according to package directions & drain. Toss pasta, veggies, meat, salt & pepper together. Mix sugar, mayo, dill, sour cream & vinegar. Pour over salad & chill.
[NOTES: This doesn't work with leftover baked ham, esp. if it was studed with cloves. It becomes overpowering. Try using a slice of ham steak & the Perdue shortcuts work if you don’t do chicken ahead. Given this, the turkey ham you can get will probably be good in this. You don't want something with a lot of flavor to it...or you could just skip it.]
= = = = = = =
6 Bean Baked Beans with Meat
1 lb hamburger
1 onion, large
1 lb bacon (turkey bacon works fine)
6 cans beans, variety
1 c brown sugar
½ c ketchup
1 Tbl mustard
Brown together the hamburger and onion. Fry the bacon, then chop.
Use 6 cans of beans of your choice (pork & beans, kidney beans white and red, lima, Great Northern etc.)
Stir together the brown sugar, ketchup & mustard. Pour over beans and meat. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or put in crock pot on low.
= = = = = = =
Wild Rice and Apricot Salad
6 oz wild rice
4 oz dried apricots, chopped
2 oz almonds, sliced or slivered
6 oz yogurt, plain or vanilla
3 oz raisins or Craisins ®
2 Tbl parsley
Make rice according to directions, using no seasonings or butter. Cool slightly & toss with remaining ingredients. Chill & serve cold.
= = = = = = = =
This one is really yummy!
Apple salsa and cinnamon chips
Cinnamon Chips
4 flour tortillas – 7” size
1 Tbl granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Salsa
2 granny smith apples, medium
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 orange, small
2 Tbl packed brown sugar
2 Tbl apple jelly
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray tortillas with water. Combine sugar & cinnamon; sprinkle over tortillas. Cut tortillas into 8 wedges & place in single layer on pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown & crisp. Set on cooling rack. [NOTE: Do not spray both sides of tortilla or you won’t be able to get them off the pan.]
Peel, core & chop apples. Slice strawberries & chop kiwi. Place all in small bowl. Zest and juice orange. Add zest, orange juice, brown sugar & apple jelly to fruit mixture. Mix gently. Spoon into bowl & serve with chips.
I have substituted freely in this recipe with great results. I’ve replaced the apple jelly with orange marmalade, replaced the kiwi with ½ cup raspberries, replaced both kiwi & strawberries with raspberries, skipped the brown sugar & used canned mandarin oranges with OJ & dried orange zest. Tart apples work best.
