Aunt Melissa's Breakfast Casserole

Happy Birthday Laura!!!

As requested, following is "Aunt Melissa's Breakfast Casserole"...

I read a ton of recipes from different Bed and Breakfast Inns, noted the common ingredients and now I just throw together whatever I have. Here’s the recipe for today. This recipe makes two casseroles. (This recipe can be assembled the night before, refrigerated overnight and popped into the oven before hitting the showers.):

Aunt Melissa’s Breakfast Casserole

• 1 lb Jimmy Dean Sausage*
• 1 chopped onion **
• 8-10 Baking Potatoes scrubbed (but not peeled) and cut into chunks
• Approximately 2 teaspoons Rosemary (a little goes a long way. Don’t overdo it or the potatoes will be too “fragrant”)
• Basil ( fresh or dried, doesn’t matter, dried is fine for this application)
• Chopped fresh parsley is nice in this dish, but I totally forgot it today and it came out fine.
• 4 – 6 slices of whatever stale bread you have in the house. (Today I used the thick sliced “Texas Toast” variety. Sometimes I use bagels or cheddar cheese bread. Even Rye is good)
• 1 dozen eggs ( or 6 eggs and a carton of egg whites)
• A splash of half and half (Maybe ¼ cup?)
• Approx. 1 cup of shredded 3 cheese blend or whatever you have on hand. I personally prefer the cheddar combos for this, but mozzarella is nice, too.
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Tex-Joy Steak Seasoning***

In a large bowl, toss chopped potatoes with olive oil. Spread oiled potatoes across a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or a silicon baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with Rosemary, Basil, chopped onions, Tex-Joy Steak Seasoning, salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Bake in a 350 - 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned. (Note, this makes a great potato side dish for any meal).

As the potatoes bake, brown sausage in a non-stick skillet, draining any excess fat. Set aside.

Chunk or tear bread slices.

Whisk the eggs and half and half by hand or with a mixer. Incorporating a little air makes the eggs fluffy, but don’t overdo it.

Spray two 2.5 quart oval casseroles with cooking spray or lightly oil.

Dividing all ingredients between the two dishes, layer sausage, bread, potatoes, cheese. Pour egg mixture over the top.

Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 30 – 40 minutes, until a clean knife inserted in the middle comes out almost clean. It can be slightly moist in the middle, as it will continue cooking after leaving the oven, but don’t overcook or the eggs will be dry.

* Today I used original flavor. Choose your favorite. Also, Italian sausages or bacon may be used if you don’t have breakfast sausages. Just be careful to cook all varieties that are not marked “precooked” prior to adding to the casserole.

** 4 or 5 green onions may be substituted, but if they are used, do not bake them with the potatoes; instead, sprinkle them in as a layer of the casserole.

***My current favorite, but I’m betting you can’t find it in California. My mom usually buys it for me and sends it from home. It is made in Beaumont, Texas. In a pinch, I’ll use Zatarain’s or any type of Cajun seasoning available. I’m just partial to the Tex-Joy. It make steaks, hamburgers, meatloaf, everything taste great, if you ask me. Here’s their website. Item #100414 16 oz. is $3.50. I usually buy the 32 oz.

http://www.texjoy.com/store/c/13-Steak-Seasonings.aspx