Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Taste of Christmas

To me, Christmas morning just isn't Christmas morning unless it tastes like this....

1 lb. sausage (Jimmy Dean Regular)
8 slices of bread (remove crust, cut into cubes)
6 large eggs
3/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups sharp cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can milk (c. of mushroom soup can)

Brown sausage, drain well.
Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Sprinkle bread on bottom.
Sprinkle sausage over bread.
Whip 6 large eggs, then add 3/4 tsp. dry mustard and 2 1/2 cups of milk.
Pour egg mixture over the bread and sausage.
Grate 2 c. sharp cheese, and sprinkle over the top.
Refrigerate over-night.
Pour 1 can cream of mushroom soup mixed with 1/2 can of milk over entire dish.

Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting it.

Eat in your new pajamas (opened on Christmas Eve). Go back for seconds. And thirds. And fourths for lunch. And maybe dinner.

This tradition was started by my Grandma J. Every Christmas, we would gather at her house for a Christmas morning breakfast/gift exchange. When she passed away in 1998, we knew the tradition had to continue. We now do our own thing Christmas morning (which for us still includes this yummy breakfast). However, at some point in the season, my parents, along with my dad's siblings, and any of their kids who can make it, reunite for this Christmas morning-ish feast. I love it. And even if I found a recipe I loved more, I wouldn't change it. It really does taste like Christmas.

What does your Christmas taste like? What other traditions do you enjoy?

18 comments:

Aly said...

WOOHOO I got first comment!!

I think my mom made that for the first time for Minnie's blessing!

Christmas morning tastes like Winder Dairy chocolate milk, biscuits and gravy, and cinamon rolls or cream puffs at our house!

Kristin said...

Oh my goodness! I make the exact same thing for Christmas morning! I got that recipe from my sister like 8 years ago! I've never heard of anyone else making that! So yummy! What a coincidence! Oh we also drink yummy hot wassail. I'll have to post the recipe on my blog. Watch for it, there's nothing else like it!

Erin said...

That's what came out of the oven every Christmas morning my entire life! It's super yummy! Although...I've got a new one that's been a hit around here..Victorian French toast. It's sliced apples, cinnamon, french bread with an egg mixture over it...bake it...oooo...you just might have to try it! But then again, we all know the problem I have with sweets...that could be the problem.

Anonymous said...

Sounds yummy, we will have to try that this year. Normally my dad gets up and makes pancakes, eggs, and bacon and lets my mom sleep in. Are yall going to cali for christmas?

Hiller Family said...

My mom makes something like that for Christmas morning also, we love it! Aren't traditions the BEST!

Darci said...

My mom always would make hot chocolate on the oven (not the microwave)I always loved that. So we would be nice and warm when we opened presents.

Tina said...

how fun! We have always done "conference cake" which is our version of coffee cake. And we usually make it on Conference Sunday...thus the name.
But I am excited to try this one!

Christie said...

Ahhh, my favorite Christmas tradition. I have the BEST memories of those years together with you guys at grandma J's. YUM.

BTW, can you email me your address? clhalverson@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Sarah E said...

Hey my Christmas morning tastes just like yours. My mom makes that same stuff every year. It's so delicious! Each Christmas we do two breakfasts. First we go to my inlaws and she always makes monkey bread and pioneer pancakes. Then we go to my parents and eat the yummy breakfast casserole. So much good food!

esherman10 said...

All this talk about food is reminding me that I haven't eaten lunch! On Christmas morning we always had cinnamon rolls and orange juice, but your casserole sounds delicious! I love Christmas traditions.

Niki said...

That sounds yummy. I might have to steal that recipe and use it myself!! So far we are still trying to come up with some traditions of our own. We have adopted a few from Matthews side...like putting your stocking wherever you want (in the living room) and that is where Santa will leave your presents, unwrapped and set up for you. On my side we always opened our stockings up on Christmas Eve, but we haven't done that since starting our own family. I like the idea of new jammies that get opened on Christmas eve...you have given me some good ideas Robyn :)

Kelly and Megan said...

We have the same breakfast! Well, minus a couple of ingredients. We call it "special breakfast" and it is so special that we only eat it on Christmas morning! I love traditions!

Darcie said...

MMMM!! I was looking for this recipe the other day, my mom makes this and I love it. Thanks for sharing now I don't have to dig thru all those recipes.

Mandy said...

That is one of my favorite recipes to make too! How funny I never knew we enjoyed the same recipe! I skip the mushroom soup and it is still yummy!!! We make it Christmas morning too!

Kimberly said...

My mouth starts to water just thinking about it...yummmmm!

Deanie said...

This is a great recipe. I call it "Anna's Breakfast Casserole" cause it is from my dear friend Anna. When she gave me the recipe I learned what the real name is..."Christmas Casserole". Traditions are the best!

Tami H. said...

How do all these people know about this cassarole!!! Is this some mormon tradition that those of us in the midwest missed out on? I guess we will just have to try it!

Diane said...

I would never have guessed that so many people eat this on Christmas morning. I can't wait to have it together this year!!!