What’s your pleasure?

A friend emailed me the other day asking for “expert cooking advice.” Now, I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an expert in the kitchen. I credit what I’ve learned to a strong devotion to Food Network Television. However, she was asking for recipes for breakfast casseroles. Now, not to brag, but I kinda know my way around a breakfast casserole. But the thing was…. how to choose just one? Not possible in my book. I have a favorite from the sweet and savory categories, and because they are that fabulous, I thought it would only be fair to share them with you.

Serve them up for company, for a family breakfast (don’t worry about leftovers, they’ll get devoured), or better yet…. Breakfast for dinner!

Christmas Morning Egg and Sausage Casserole
(an old family favorite, that, you guessed it – we have every Christmas morning!)
– 2 cups Pepperidge Farm Seasoned Dressing (stuffing)
– 1 lb. ground breakfast sausage, browned and drained
– 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix four beaten eggs, 2 1/2 cups milk, 3/4 tsp. dry mustard (found in the spice aisle). Combine 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp. salt in separate small bowl. In large buttered casserole, layer bread crumbs, sausage, then cheese. Pour egg mixture over all. Top with soup mixture and refrierate overnight. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until eggs are set.
**I have done this for vegetarians before. Simply sub the sausage for 1 1/2 lbs. sauteed and browned mushrooms (make sure all liquid evaporates before removing from heat and adding to casserole).

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast
(from Southern Living Magazine)
– 1 cup blackberry jam
– 1 12oz. french bread loaf, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
– 1 8 oz. package 1/3 less fat cream cheese cut into 1 inch cubes
– 4 large eggs
– 2 cups half and half
– 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
– 1 tsp. vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
(Necessary) Toppings: Maple syrup, whipped cream

Cook jam in small saucepan over medium heat 1 to 2 min., or until melted and smooth, stirring once. Place half of bread cubes in bottom of lightly greased 13×9 baking dish. top with cream cheese cubes, and drizzle with melted jam. Top with remaining bread cubes. Whisk together eggs and next 3 ingredients. Pour ober bread mixture and sprinkle with brown sugar. Cover tightly and chill 8 to 24 hours. Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees, 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, or until bread is golden and mixture is set. Serve with syrup and whipped cream.