Sausage Egg Casserole

Olivia is good at rethinking tried and true recipes.  She has done it with a few of mine and I have to say they are improved by her innovation.  This egg casserole was always a standard at our house on Christmas morning.  When we would get up to unwrap our gifts, this casserole would go into the oven to bake.  As we enjoyed our unwrapping, the smell of the casserole would begin to tempt us.  We would usually take a break from unwrapping to have a serving of the casserole and a slice of Swedish tea ring before we would begin again with the unwrapping or if we were finished unwrapping, then with the inevitable clean up that comes with Christmas morning.  It certainly doesn't have to be just a holiday dish, but a great "breakfast for dinner" idea or a weekend treat.  Olivia changed our "old" standard recipe by toasting the bread before making into a casserole.  I suspect she likes the firmer texture this gives the casserole.  Whether you toast or don't toast-- enjoy this casserole for breakfast!
-Nanette
Sausage Egg Casserole

6 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
6 slices of bread, toasted and cubed
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 lb. sausage cooked and drained

1)  Mix eggs, milk, bread, salt, dry mustard, cheese and meat.
2)  Grease 8x12 pan and pour in the mixture.
3)  Refrigerate overnight.
4)  When ready to bake, take the casserole out of the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature.
5)  Bake in 350 degree oven for about 45-55 minutes. Be sure the center is "set" before serving.

BONUS IDEA:    I tried a variation of an old appetizer recipe this weekend and it turned out to be a big hit.  Many of you have no doubt warmed pre-cooked and frozen meatballs with a jar of grape jelly and a bottle of chili sauce.  Well, during the holidays I ran across the idea to use a can of jellied cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly and the bottle of chili sauce.  I combined everything in a slow cooker and cooked until everything was melded together and warm.  It had a more tart, sweet, spicy flavor that everyone seemed to enjoy!  Hope you like it!