"Manly" Breakfast Casserole

My hubby's favorite meal of the day is breakfast, hands down no questions asked. But we are talking flavor packed BIG BOY breakfast. He likes Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Toast, Fresh Veggies, and loads of flavor. In fact he is so particular about his breakfast, that he rarely lets me in the kitchen on weekend mornings unless it is to chop, butter, or clean up ;) But every once in a while he deserves a day off. Usually that means pancakes, waffles, quiche, or something random like huevos rancheros . . . He also wakes up SUPER early at least 2 days a week, and I so want to be that wife that gets up and whips him a mean breakfast to get him through the day, but that is so not my forte . . . I am a grumpus if you get me up before 6:45 and 7am really gets me in my groove. Now being preggers I really cannot even fathom getting up at 4am to make breakfast and some times he is already headed out the door by 4:45 am. I needed something to make him feel special that kept me in bed just a little longer! So here it is a breakfast casserole for the "manly" men; my very own hubby gave me a wink and asked me to keep this one in my back pocket!


Thanks you to the kitchen of Jimmy Dean!

1 pkg. Hot Flavor Jimmy Dean® Pork Sausage
10 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups milk
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups cubed bread
8 oz. (2 cups) shredded hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (optional)
1/2 cup thin-sliced green onions (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 F. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. In large mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard and salt; stir well. Distribute half the bread evenly in a buttered 9" x 13" x 2" baking dish. Sprinkle with half the pepper, half the cheese, half the sausage and half of each optional ingredient. Repeat layering the casserole using remaining bread, pepper, cheese, sausage and optional ingredients. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole. Bake the breakfast casserole uncovered for 55 to 60 minutes, or until eggs are set. Tent with foil if top of breakfast casserole begins to brown too quickly.

Note: may be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 12 hours before baking.

Here is the base recipe that you can alter to make any way you like with all kinds of optional ingredients. This one is great for the lovely mommy brunches we are all so familiar with.

1 pkg. Regular Flavor Jimmy Dean® Pork Sausage (I actually use the crumbled bacon from Costco in lieu of sausage or with it)
10 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups milk ( I use 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 and 2 cups milk)
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups cubed bread
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese ( i use 1 of each Pepperjack and cheddar)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (Optional I sautee a bunch for my fav casserole)
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (optional I actually use a can of diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup thin-sliced green onions (optional These are a great addition with the above)
** I also add in lieu of salt and pepper McCormic Montreal grill seasoning**

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 F. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. In large mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard and salt; stir well. Distribute half the bread evenly in a buttered 9" x 13" x 2" baking dish. Sprinkle with half the pepper (or other seasoning), half the cheese, half the sausage (or bacon) and half of each optional ingredients. Repeat layering the casserole using remaining bread, pepper, cheese, sausage and optional ingredients (except canned diced tomatoes they go on the top if you are using them). Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole. Bake the breakfast casserole uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until eggs are set. Tent with foil if top of breakfast casserole begins to brown too quickly.

Note: May be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 12 hours before baking
Enjoy!

Robins Nest Easter Treats

Today at lunch my Mother-in-law and I reminisced about her Easter memories and we talked about mine. Low and behold way back when my Mother-in-law remembers these treats too. Although, back then they used a lighter ingredient than the ready made chowmein noodles, but neither of us has a clue as to what it was. So the texture is a little different but the idea is the same ;) Her mother like my grand-mother were very traditional and created very similar Easter traditions. The Robins Nests were one of her favorites too and she can remember looking forward to these beautiful sweet treats every year along with a lamb cake. We always had a bunny cake, but I was extatic to learn she STILL has the same lamb mold her mother used so so long ago. I look forward to an incredible Easter with my incredible family and all the traditions that we hold the same and all the new ones we will create together. Here is my simple guide to beautiful and traditional Robins Nests that your kiddos will adore, cherish, and remember for years to come.

Supplies:

Parchment Paper

Candy Melts-Chocolate, Caramel or Peanut Butter ( I tend to use chocolate)

Chowmein noodles

Cadburry malted eggs (they look the most realistic and are traditional, but you can use the whopper version if you know your kiddos love them).

*Peeps (only if you want, these I added just for our little ones because they adore them)

Large Cello Bags (or medium treat boxes)

1st and foremost, lay out a long stretch of parchment. Then follow the directions on your candy melt package ( I use these because they are easy to work with and set up fast, they are fail safe and you can add other flavors). Next, my son likes to lay out bundles on the paper ( I like to mix my chowmein right inside the bowl because it is cleaner) then drizzle some chocolate right over the bundles. The messy part is up next. use your hands to mold little nests and then add your robins eggs to the center. You may need to add a little candy melt to get your eggs to stick, but I think you only need to do this step if you are sending these off and they will be traveling. Let these set for at least 30 minutes before bagging or boxing them up. I recommend laying a piece of parchement under each nest to keep it from sticking and making your bags less than pretty.

Have fun and enjoy making new traditions this year!