December 22, 2008

The Wifesaver

We did our first round of Christmas this past weekend. Brad and I are off to Georgia for the actual day, and then to Toronto for New Year's (family is all over the place!), so we decided to do our gift giving to each other while we were still home. We made a whole day of it - complete with a Christmas-style breakfast and dinner. Which is great for all of ya'll because I have 2 recipes that will be perfect for your holiday. We even spent all day playing with our "toys." I gave Brad that RockBand game, and I swear he stayed up till 3 am playing that sucker.

This first recipe is courtesy of my lovely mother-in-law, Terri. It is aptly named the Wifesaver because it can be conveniently prepared the night before, then baked up the morning of. It takes about an hour to bake, which was the perfect time for us to do some present opening. Even Suki got in on the action!

The casserole is hearty but not overly heavy. It has almost a quiche-like texture, combined with salty ham, sharp cheddar cheese and a crunchy cereal topping (the Special-K topping threw me a bit as well, but it was awesome!). Really delicious. Especially when it's paired with a nice fruit salad and croissants, like we did.

Since Brad and I are going to be spending the actual Christmas day with my family, this will be his first Christmas in 30 years away from his snow-covered home. He had requested that I try and make his mom's recipe as it was one of the things he will miss most about not being there on the actual day. It's funny how food is associated with some of our most cherished memories.

We are packing up here, but in the next day or so I will post the recipe for the most amazing Panettone bread pudding. Yum!


The Wifesaver

16 slices White Bread, crusts removed
1/2 lb. Canadian Back Bacon or Ham, thinly sliced
8 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
6 Eggs
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/4 cup minced Onion
1/4 cup Green Pepper, finely chopped
1-2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
3 cups Whole Milk
dash Tabasco
1 stick of Butter, melted
approx. 3 cups Special K cereal 
  • Butter a 9x13 in. glass baking dish.
  • Place 8 pieces of bread on bottom of dish and cover with slices of back bacon.
  • Place cheese slices on top of back bacon, then cover with remaining bread slices.
  • In a bowl, beat eggs, salt, pepper, dry mustard, onion, green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, milk and Tabasco.
  • Pour mixture over bread, cover and let stand overnight.
  • In morning, Pre-heat oven to 350℉.
  • Pour butter over casserole and cover with cereal.
  • Bake, uncovered for 1 hour (casserole will puff up and some of the cereal may fall off, so I'd recommend lining your oven with foil or a baking sheet).
  • Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

10 comments:

Dewi said...

Just to read the title, I already like it.
Such a convenience way to safe the time, especially during holidays like this, where all family are around.
Btw, I really like that name "Suki". I also have a friend that name his dog "Suki".
Have a great christmas.
Elra

Sara said...

I love make-ahead recipes, this one looks great. The Special K topping sounds really unique, I bet cornflakes would work too.

Honeyed Hashette said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yours is great too. Yes, Boomer is an Australian Shepherd. He's the BEST dog ever! We had neighbors once who had a mini Aussie and a toy Aussie and they looked like Boomer too. So funny!

I am off to read more of your blog. If it's okay with you, I'm gonna at it to my blog roll.

Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

this looks amazing. i knew it was a quiche-like dish when i saw it. yummy!!

have a great christmas away from home!! that just means twice the amount of food.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Elra - It's a cute name, isn't it? We actually met a couple people who said they know "Suki" dogs. We used it because it is a Japanese word for love, but I think it might mean something in German as well.

Hi Sara - I'm sure cornflakes would totally work as well. Just want that crunch!

Hi Janna - Love Aussies! They have the sweetest dispositions. I would love to be added to your blog roll. And I'm off to check out your taco soup as well. YUM!

Joanna - Thanks so much! Hope you have a happy holiday as well!

Aimée said...

This looks yummy, but I am holding out for that bread pudding recipe! I just made panettone!

Anonymous said...

Ha! What a great name for a dish, "The WIfesaver." I love it.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Aimée - It is sooo good! If you have any extras (which I'm sure you won't!), you should make it.

Hi Ari - Can't take the credit on the name - that's all my mother-in-law's!

Viagra said...

That looks delicious!

Elliott Broidy said...

Thanks! Making this tonight!