Friday, May 19, 2006

Freezer Food Friday-Breakfast Casserole

Before this week's yummy, freezable recipe, here are a few odds and ends to wrap up the week (for those like Guapo Sr. who aren't so much interested in Freezer Food):

One finished project:

Juan Carlos's (3 yrs) quilt has been in the works for about a year and a half now. It doesn't help that I have to import 100% cotton fabrics to Small Town. But, alas, this week I finally finished it. Are you asking yourself what the heck kind of critters are on the quilt?

Iguanas, lizards and frogs of course. Juan Carlos took quite a liking to the indigenous fauna when me moved to Small Town.

Even with the new addition to his bed, he still slept in "The Chair" last night. Oh well.

One funny kid story:
While Julio was having a glass of delicious boxed milk earlier this week (doused with Hershey's syrup of course), he asked me, "Mom, why is there a cow on the box of milk?" Me (thinking it was some kind of trick question): "Ummm, because milk comes from cows?" Julio: "I knew it!!!!" like his life-long suspicion of dairy products was finally laid to rest.

Pretty sure we've talked about the whole cow/milk thing at some point in his life.

One cultural difference (in Small Town thin is not in):
I've recently shed a few unwanted pounds. Nothing serious, no dieting or anything, I just haven't been hanging out quite as often at night with my friends Ben and Jerry. I am still well within the normal weight guidelines (read: I am not too thin). While visiting the home of a nice lady from church this week, the woman got a very serious look on her face and we had the following conversation:

Nice lady: Can I tell you something, and you won't get mad at me?
(I'm thinking, Ok. What could this woman, whom I don't know all that well, possibly say that would upset me?)
Nice lady: You are looking so thin. Are you ok?
Me: Yes, I'm fine. (trying to not look happy, because she is obviously concerned, but feeling very satisfied that someone noticed!!!)
Nice Lady: Are you sick?
(I can tell by "sick" she doesn't mean your common cold; she's looking at me like she thinks I have cancer. )
Me: No, no, really, I'm fine.
Nice lady: Stressed out?
Me: Well, sure. A little, you know, the kids and all, but not more than normal.
Nice lady: I'm concerned, you just look SO THIN.

Thank you, thank you, thank you nice lady!

Recipe Time
Ok, on to the recipe. This is one for a breakfast casserole that is tasty and really easy. It would be great for a nice Sunday morning breakfast or for when you have visitors. Every time I've made it, someone has asked me for the recipe. Here it is:

  • 16 slices white bread cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1/2 pound ham (leftovers if you have them, or I just use regular old lunch meat style ham)
  • 4 cups cheese (I like cheddar, but you could use Monterey Jack, Swiss, a combo of two cheeses, etc.)

In a greased 9X13 inch pan layer bread-ham-cheese-bread-ham-cheese. Then mix together:

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups milk***
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

Pour over the layers. You can either freeze it at this point and pull it out of the freezer 12-14 hours before you wish to serve it, or, put it in the fridge overnight. It needs to cook for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees.

***I had a couple of friends over yesterday morning, so I prepared this Wedesday night. When I pulled it out of the oven I thought it looked just a little dry. I forgot the 2 cups of milk. Playing the hostess is one area of my life that I am trying to improve and this did nothing for my self-confidence in that area. But, my two gracious friends ate it and one even asked for the recipe.

Don't forget the milk!

17 comments:

Super Happy Girl said...

YAY! I got here right on time.

That quilt is beautiful!, J.C. can now crash on the chair in style.

Alpura makes a second appearance, cool.

The recipe sound good, I'll try it next time. Last night I made the chicken marinade, will cook the chicken Sunday, it looks real good ;)

the lizness said...

maybe she was trying to ask you if you were pregnant without actually saying the words. You know. Sick.

Love the little quilty!

Erickson Family said...

Love the story! You gotta love the Latin honesty. At least she didn't say:

"Hermana, estas muy gorda!"

I had that happen to me once or twice.

I will definitely try the recipe although I don't think it will taste the same without the infamous boxed milk.

Anonymous said...

You continue to amaze me. That quilt is so amazing. Now I don't feel as impressed with myself when I get all three bathrooms cleaned in one day. I need to be more productive.

Karla said...

Love the quilt! I'm sure he will cherish it for a long time. It takes me about a year and a half to get a quilt done also - and I have a Jo-Ann's! Good job!

Papa said...

I think the milk revelation for Julio must be some kind of a guy thing (young guys that is). I had a bunch of 16 to 18 year old boys over a few weeks ago to teach them a little dutch oven cooking. We had stuffed pork chops. As that age of boy is won't to do, one of them was eating way to much and way to fast and got a massive wad of food in his throat and started to choke. One of the other boys, practicing his first aid training jumped up and gave him the heimlich manouver and saved his life.

Later, I said, "Well we had a pretty good time until ..... tried to swallow half a pig." One of the other boys says, "Pig??? I thought this was pork?"

Nettie said...

Gorgeous Quilt! How fun to learn you have this talent. We are having a sleepover and I'm thinking that casserole sounds like just the thing for breakfast. And Papa, thanks for the chuckle!

Code Yellow Mom said...

That is one AWESOME quilt.

Gabriela said...

Tess: you may be on to something there!

Papa: love the story, you should do a post about it.

JC is loving the quilt! It wasn't on his bed tonight (it was on "The Chair") and he made a special request for it. Made me feel happy. :)

Anonymous said...

I am laughing so hard I love the latin in all that questioning!! Thanks for the recipe!! I am just getting better and better at cooking thanks to you and all my family is raving about the recipes!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt...I love the frogs. ;) Cute milk story...I am always "reminding" my kids of the things I know I have already taught them. I am ever the great hostess as well...made rolls once and forgot the yeast. Yah! those turned out great!

Grammy said...

I'm crazy about the quilt. You do wonderful work. The milk story is one that will go down in the Guapo family history books. Never, Ever let him forget it.

Anonymous said...

The quilt only made The Chair more comfy! I definitely LOVED the casserole, thank you very much. I will probably even make it STILL without the milk.

Momma G said...

LOVE the cow story....That is just too funny.

Anonymous said...

Gabs-I love the quilt and the stories. So sorry you forgot the milk. That moment of realization is the worst. But don't be too hard on yourself. As someone who has been on the receiving end of you hostessing probably more than anyone else, I can say you are a great one. Fun, smart and always a great cook-with or without boxed milk that comes from cows.

Lana said...

your quilt is beautiful. I want to learn to quilt...someday!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the quilt! Gorgeous!!! Terrific!!!!

Grandma SUe