I am going to start by saying that I did not get very good pictures of this brunch. I have never hosted a holiday before, and I was a little preoccupied by preparing it, so I kept forgetting to take pictures. I apologize for that. However, things did go well. I was not entirely sure what I wanted to make for brunch. Plus, we were headed to Easter Service so I needed stuff that I could make ahead of time. I decided on doing a breakfast casserole, an egg strata, deviled eggs, and a bundt cake. I also had coffee, tea, orange juice, and stuff to make Arnold Palmers (pretty much the best drink ever).
First the bundt cake. I made the lemon one I invented not too long ago. Here is the link to that recipe:
https://meteaandlucy.com/2011/04/12/lemon-bundt-cake/
This time I added one cup of milk to the recipe. It did change the consistency. This cake was much denser and more moist. However, it was lacking the nice crumble of the other. Both were good; I think I may leave the milk out in the future.
Next up is the French Toast Casserole. This recipe is from the newspaper a number of years ago.
Ingredients:
1 loaf cinnamon bread (with or without raisins depending on preference)
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 teaspoons butter
1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Method:
Cut the loaf of bread into cubes. Take about 1 cup worth of the cubes and set aside. Put the rest of the cubes in a greased 9″ by 13″ Pyrex baking dish. Meanwhile mix the eggs, milks, and vanilla together. Pour the egg mixture over the bread making sure all the cubes are moist. Put the in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, melt the butter and add the set aside bread cubes and the nuts. Mix until all moist and sprinkle over the egg/bread mixture in the pan. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. Serve with syrup and strawberries (optional).
Ideas: I would have liked it to be a little sweater so I would not have had to add syrup in the end. I wonder if adding brown sugar to the egg mixture would have that desired effect. I also think it would be good if you added some apples to the dish. I might try that next fall when apples are in season again.
Egg Strata:
This one I made up, and it worked great. The above picture is the strata before it was baked. I don’t have a picture of it baked. Sigh. This is a dish that you can personalize easily.
Ingredients:
10 eggs
1 cup cheese
1 cup milk
about 1/3 of a baguette, cubed
vegetables (I used potatoes, onions, asparagus, red bell peppers)
sausage (optional though good)
salt and pepper to taste
Mix the eggs and milk together until well blended. Mix in the cheese and bread cubes. Make sure the bread all gets moist. Fold in the vegetables and sausage. I pre-cook the potatoes and the sausage, but I put everything else in raw. The vegetables end up cooked but still crisp that way. Pour the mixture into a greased 9″ by 13″ Pyrex casserole dish. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. You can put a knife in the center and it will come out clean when the strata is done.
Note: I have made this pre-made this strata and let it sit overnight. I have also made it and baked it immediately. I honestly can’t tell much of a difference (sitting overnight might have a slight advantage, but it is slight). I would just do what is more convenient for you.
Finally here is a couple of funny picture of Lucy in her Easter dress:
Me Tea and Lucy 