RECIPE BOX: Warm winter breakfast
When my daughter was small, she was terrified of Santa. Of course, she wanted the gifts he would leave, but sitting on his lap never happened. One Christmas morning, she slowly opened her bedroom door and asked, “Is he gone?” We still smile ear to ear at the sweet Christmas memory.
She was determined not to show up around the tree until the guy in red had come and gone. While children think about what’s under the tree, adults think about what is in the refrigerator. Christmas mornings are made simple with a breakfast that fills you up without wearing you out. Prepping breakfast ahead of time opens up your hands and schedules to enjoy Christmas festivities. Any winter weekend, waking up to breakfast prepared ahead of time sets the pace for a peace-filled day. Baking hearty dishes is sure to warm everyone’s spirits.
Perhaps on Christmas morning, you will prepare a special breakfast and be like the March girls from Little Women, giving your festive breakfast to someone less fortunate. While the book does not allude to a fancy feast, it expresses the girls' sincerity to share with others. They didn’t get any of the breakfast they had prepared, but instead, they gave it away. Maybe this Christmas, you will whip up an extra foil pan for a friend or neighbor or perhaps for someone you don’t even know.
My favorite quote from the Little Women novel is a sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
“That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn’t get any of it. And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.”
Add these ingredients to your grocery list this week. Prepare ahead of time, and if you feel generous this winter season, drop an extra dish off to feed someone else. It will surely fill up their bellies and hearts, as well as yours.
Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com.
Christmas Casserole
Ingredients
7 slices white bread, crusts removed and cubed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups 2% milk
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
In a greased 11x7-in. baking dish, combine the bread and cheese. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over bread and cheese. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Cooking spray
10 oz seasoned hash browns
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
8 oz ham diced
6 large eggs
1/4 cup milk 2%
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. Place the hash browns in an even layer in the baking dish. Top with the cheese and ham.
Beat the eggs with the milk, seasonings, and parsley in a medium bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the ham cheese and potatoes. Bake the casserole for 45 minutes or until the eggs are set. Let stand a few minutes before slicing.
Overnight Monkey Bread French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
12 dinner rolls medium sized (I used a 14-ounce bag from the store)
4 large eggs
1 cup Almond Breeze Almond milk any flavor
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
Instructions
Spray a 9x13” or 8x11” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut rolls into bite size pieces (about 6 per roll) and spread in pan.
Whisk eggs, milk, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a large measuring cup or medium sized bowl. Pour evenly over the bread in the pan. Press down with your hands to soak all of the bread pieces in the egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the french toast from the refrigerator and allow to sit while oven is preheating. Stir brown sugar and pinch of salt into the melted butter, stirring until they mix well. Pour evenly over the top of the french toast, spreading with the back of a spoon to coat the entire pan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges seem golden brown. The center will be bubbly and the brown sugar mixture will be somewhat liquidy. It will set as it cools. Serve warm, no syrup needed.