Monday, April 14, 2008

Jamie's Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese

From The Deen Bros. Y'All Come Eat

Butter for coating pan
1 Tbsp EVOO
1 small onion, finely chopped
Pinch salt
1 medium yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 8oz loaf hearty French or Italian bread, sliced 1/2" thick
1 6oz slab thick-cut ham, finely chopped
6oz Swiss cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
5 extra-large eggs
1 3/4 C milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Butter an 8" oval or round baking dish.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and the pinch salt; cook for 3-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent, stirring occasionally. Add the yellow and red peppers; cook for 3-5 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.
Cover the bottom of the prepared pan with half of the bread slices, cutting pieces as necessary to make a snug fit. Top the bread with half of the onion mixture, then half of the ham and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers, starting with the bread and ending with the cheese.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, the 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper; pour evenly over the casserole. (The egg mixture should come almost to the top of the pan.) Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Let the casserole come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350. Bake about 45 minutes or until top is golden and puffy and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

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