There are so many wonderful parts of Christmas morning. For us, one of them is Christmas breakfast--special food for a special day! But, who likes to cook on Christmas morning? Some may see that as a family-together venture. But, coming up in a family that didn't make a big deal out of breakfast--ever!--I definitely wasn't up for making something extravagant when I could otherwise be enjoying my husband's company, Christmas music, gifts and coffee under the tree.
So, years ago, my husband and I started a tradition of prepping a breakfast casserole on Christmas Eve. We have tried various versions including a stale bread cubes soaked in egg overnight style...even huevos rancheros. We have now found a winning combination in a recipe from Bob Evans! The red and green peppers definitely make this casserole look Christmasy. And, if you serve breakfast for dinner--as we often do at our house--you don't even have to let this set up overnight. In 45 minutes, you can have a yummy frittata!
The picture on Bob Evans' website doesn't do the dish justice. It looks really dry, doesn't it? It's not! And, it was the most requested recipe at my annual Christmas brunch two years running.
Ingredients
10 oz. of breakfast sausage (Pick your favorite; we like a sage variety in a roll, but links work, too. And, truth be told, I just cook up the whole pound!!)
2-1/2 cups frozen shredded hash browns, THAWED
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (Though we're partial to Monterey Jack)
6 eggs
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup green and/or red bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Break up or cut sausage into bite-size pieces. Cook in small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Drain off any drippings. Whisk eggs in medium bowl; stir in sausage and remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 2-quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until eggs are almost set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares; serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers.
Comments
We've been blessed lately because a BJ's has just opened here. Since my school is a ministry of a church and the church is a non-profit, one of the secretaries can go to BJ's everyday and get breads and baked goods that are expiring that day for FREE. I've got all kinds of things in my freezer right now, including cinnamon rolls from BJ's. I can't believe the mother load she picks up from there each day. Then our staff just goes up to the foyer and picks out what we want. Tonight we had a yummy cake for dessert!
Say a prayer for me...I have a short solo in one of our Christmas concert songs. I just need to come in on the right note!
Love and Blessings, Leslie