Holiday Recipes

Every Christmas Eve morning and every Christmas morning for the past few years, there are two recipes that my family enjoys.  I've decided to share them with you today and I know you will thank me.  They are not hard to make at all so I don't know why I wait to fix them for special occasions.

Amish  Breakfast Casserole

1 lb. bacon (regular, not maple or pepper)
1 lb. sausage (regular old Jimmy Dean)
1 onion, finely diced (I only use about 1/3)
6 eggs, beaten
4 c. frozen hashbrowns (can be thawed or right out of the freezer, I've done both and it doesn't matter)
2 c. shredded cheddar (I've also used pepper jack)
1 1/4 c. shredded Swiss
1 1/2 c. cottage cheese

Cook bacon and sausage in separate pans.  Remove bacon from pan, reserve about 2T drippings and sauté onion.  In a huge bowl, mix together the eggs, hash browns, shredded cheeses and cottage cheese.  Add sausage, bacon and sautéed onion.  Mix well.  Put into a greased 9x13 dish.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.  I've made this the night before and stuck in the fridge until ready to bake the next morning.


Queen's French Toast

1 stick butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 T. caro syrup
Melt these three ingredients in a sauce pan and then pout into a 9x13 metal pan.

1/2 loaf Texas Toast, cut in half triangles
Lay the bread on top of the brown sugar sauce in the 9x13

5 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix these ingredients and pour over the bread.

Top generously with cinnamon.

Bake 350 for 30 minutes.

I always make this one the night before so the bread and soak up on the goodness.


I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Neglect

I have neglected this blog for quite some time.  I will do better from now on.

 Tonight we had one of those fancy hams.  My Man gets it from our friend and insurance agent every year.  For most families, I'm sure it would last 4-5 days.  We'll have it polished off in 2 tops.

Ramsey Christmas

This weekend is our annual Ramsey Family Christmas.  It's when my dad's side of the family (his brothers and sister and everyone kids) come together, exchange gifts, eat, visit and just hang out.  I look forward to it each year because it's often the only time I see some of my cousins.  Thankfully Facebook has helped with maintaining contact and interaction!  This year, we'll be traveling to southern MO to my mom's hometown.  My aunt rents out a large reception-type hall.  There is a full kitchen and plenty of room for the kids.  I'm taking a couple of crafts for the kids to do and some footballs.  After we eat the cousins pile into one of the cars and head over to the gravesight of my beloved grandmother (dad's mom).  On the way there we usually talk about memories from years past and then put a grave blanket over her grave.  Last year the grave blanket was made from cedar branches and adorned with special ornaments and pictures that reminded us of Grandma.  This year, my sister found a lovely ornament that reminded us of all of Grandma's costume jewelry.  I can't wait to see my cousins and will miss the ones who can't make it this year.  I posted this in the food blog because I'm going to mention food.  I am taking a chocolate cherry cake and we are stopping in Jeff City to grab a pizza.  My aunt will have all the regular fixings of a down-home dinner like ham, potatoes, green beans, corn and bread.  The rest of us will each bring more food to add to that.  I can't wait!