Brunch Casserole

Eat this Casserole for brunch, or serve it with or as a main meal. Endless possibilities!

Ingredients
4 cups cubed day-old French bread
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
10 eggs, lightly beaten
1 quart milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
8 to 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

Directions
Generously butter a 9 x 13 baking dish. Arrange the bread in the baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk, mustard, salt, cayenne and onion powder. Pour this mixture over the bread. Sprinkle with the bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. Cover and chill up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake uncovered for about one hour or until the mixture sets. Tent with foil if the top begins to over brown.

Yield: 12 servings.

[Source]

Smothered Okra

This is excellent to serve as a side dish or to use as the base for okra gumbo. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 pounds okra, washed under cool water, stemmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
3 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped bell peppers
1 cup chopped celery
2 (1-pound) cans whole tomatoes, crushed with their liquid
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 cup water or chicken broth

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350º F degrees.

Pour the oil into the bottom of a large roasting pot, not cast iron. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to mix well. Cover the pot with a lid. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 300º F. Continue baking, with the lid on, for one and half to two hours, or until the slime has disappeared. Bake, uncovered for the last 15 minutes of the cooking time. The time will vary according to the tenderness of the okra. Remove and cool completely before storing in freezer containers.

[Source]