Breakfast Casserole

This is an awful picture. I know. Eggs are one of those things that I always have trouble photographing. It is just so hard to make them look appetizing. Anyways.

So, eggs were on sale for $.88 last week, so I tried to plan my meals around that. When we went to the beach a couple of weeks ago, my sister made a breakfast casserole, and my boyfriend really enjoyed it (but really, I think you could put sausage on dog poop and there is a good chance he would eat it!). Sorry, that was disgusting.

I modified her recipe a little to spice things up a bit. We both love spicy food, so I figured I would go in that direction. All in all, it turned out good. It was gone in 2 days. That's usually a pretty good indicator.

Ingredients:
6-8 eggs
1 lb. sausage, browned and drained
1 c. shredded cheddar
1 c. shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese (I used Mexican blend)
2 c. half and half
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
10 slices of bread, torn in bite size pieces (I used Jalapeno Cheese bread)

Directions:
Grease a 9x13 pan and layer with bread, sausage and then cheese.

Combine all the other ingredients in a bowl and mix. Pour over the bread.

Cook right away or let sit in the refrigerator overnight.

Cover in foil and bake 45-60 minutes at 350.

Yield: 6 servings (or so)

Source: My sister

Potato Quiche

For some reason, when I saw this recipe, I wanted to make it almost immediately. I have no idea why. Because I don't really like quiche. I am picky about how I'll eat my eggs, and this is not the way I like them. I think maybe I was won over by the potato crust. I thought that was a really neat idea. Anyway, the boy said he loves quiche, so I figured, why not!? Even if I hate it, I can have a slice of cheese and be full. My main goal in cooking is to feed him! :)

So, I made quiche. The boy said it was bland. This definitely wasn't hard though, except for grating the swiss cheese, because, for the life of me, I could NOT find shredded swiss cheese in a bag. And I know that some people swear by grating their own cheese, but I don't see the value, quite honestly. I'm lazy like that though. I modified the recipe a bit because I don't eat ham, plus I added some spinach since we both like it and for the color. This was BY FAR one of the prettiest dishes I have ever made! That says a lot! If I can figure out what spices to add to it to give it a little more pizazz, it is something I would totally make for other people, or take to potlucks and stuff like that!

Ingredients:
2 c. shredded hash browns
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1 c. turkey bacon, chopped and cooked
1 c. shredded Swiss cheese
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. frozen chopped spinach, thawed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400. Spray a pie plate with non-stick spray. Press the potatoes into the pie plate and up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are brown.

While that is baking, beat together eggs, milk and salt. Then stir in remaining ingredients.

Pour into the potato crust.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

Yield: 4-6 servings

Source: Adapted from http://www.recipeshoebox.blogspot.com/

Dad's Famous Cheese Eggs

First of all, eggs are really hard to make pretty. They just aren't really photogenic, you know? Second, these really aren't famous, but it sounded better than just "Cheese Eggs." This is one of my go to meals when I am busy and don't have time to cook. If I am cooking for more than just me, I usually make some bacon or sausage, too.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1-2 tbsp. milk
3 slices of cheese
2 tsp. honey mustard
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Spray a bowl with non-stick spray. Crack eggs into bowl and whisk until blended.

Add milk, salt, pepper and honey mustard. Whisk again.

Tear up cheese and add. NOTE: If you are using Kraft Singles (or something similar), use 1.5 slices per egg. If you are using something thicker, like Velveeta, just use 1 thick slice per egg. This is very important. You need the right cheese to egg ratio. Even though, really, you can never have too much cheese.

Stir again. Pop into the microwave for 30 second increments. If you are making more than 1 serving, you can do 1 minute increments.

Serve with toast or biscuits!

Yield: 1 serving

Source: my dad :)

Banana Bread Take Two

I love banana bread. With lots of butter. The last banana bread recipe I tried was good, but I wanted something even better. And I found it. This is super simple and will probably become my staple banana bread recipe. I sent half of the loaf to my parents, but I haven't heard back from them if they liked it. I was pretty pleased with it.

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, room temperature
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 c. banana, mashed (I didn't actually measure. I had four bananas and just used them all)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar.

Stir in eggs and banana.

Stir into the flour mixture.

Pour into a 9x5 loaf pan.

Bake for about 1 hour.

Source: www.closetcooking.blogspot.com

Banana Bread

I bought some bananas about a week ago and kind of forgot to eat them, so you know what that means? That's right - banana bread! I wanted to try something a little new, so I found a recipe that included some plain yogurt. Plus, I had some leftover from a previous recipe and needed to use it. My breads never turn out very pretty, but it tastes pretty good. I am also making a pot roast and some cupcakes right now, so get ready!

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. bananas, mashed (3-4 bananas)
1/4 c. plain yogurt
2 large eggs
3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp. vanilla

Note: this recipe also called for 3/4 c. chopped walnuts, which I omitted. I am a total purist when it comes to breads - I don't want anything crunchy in there! Also, I love cinnamon so I added a 1/2 tsp. I will add more next time!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan and dust with flour.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt (and cinnamon). Set aside.

Mix banana, yogurt, eggs, butter and vanilla.

Fold banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.

Pour into the pan and bake 55-60 minutes.

Source: http://www.bigoven.com/

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins

When I saw the title of this recipe, I knew I had to try it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. If I make it again, I will definitely add a lot more cinnamon. Don't get me wrong, the muffins aren't bad, they just aren't cinnamony or doughnutty enough for me!

Ingredients:

2 c. flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 large eggs

1 c. low-fat vanilla yogurt

2/3 c. packed brown sugar

4 tbsp. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

1/2 stick butter, melted

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a standard muffin pan with paper cups.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil and vanilla.

Add flour mixture and mix until just moistened. Do not overmix; batter will not be smooth.

Divide batter among the muffin cups and bake until a toothpick inserted in one or two of the muffins comes out clean. About 12-15 minutes.

While the muffins are baking, melt 1/2 stick butter and place in a bowl just large enough to hold a muffin. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small, shallow bowl.

As soon as the muffins are done, dip the tops one at a time in the melted butter and then roll in the sugar mixture. Set on a rack to cool.

Makes about 12 standard size muffins.

Source: http://www.bakedperfection.com/