ISO: Make-ahead Brunchie-Lunchie dishes

[bossy]

Hi guys - got any ideas for scrumptious lunch-type dishes that are easy to get together in the morning? Perhaps something that can be put together the night before and then just thrown in the oven? Thanks.

[lsdesign]

If you can get your hands on the Make Ahead issue that CL put out before Christmas, it has a boatload of what you are talking about. I keep going back to it again and again.

[sneezles]

Farmer's Casserole!

Farmer's Casserole

SOURCE: Better Homes and Gardens YEAR: February PAGE: 208

INGREDIENTS FOR 6 SERVINGS:
3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese wit hjalapeno peppers or shredded cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
1 cup diced fully cooked ham or Canadian bacon
1/4 cup sliced green onions
4 beaten eggs or 1 cup egg substitue
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated skim milk
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

INSTRUCTIONS:
Grease a 2 quart square baking dish. Arrange potatoes evenly in the bottom of
the dish. Sprinkle with cheese, ham and green onion.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, pepper and salt. Pour egg
mixture over potato mixture ini dish (The dish may be covered and refrigerated
at this point for several hours or overnight.) Bake, uncovered, in a 350º
oven for 40 to 45 minutes (or 55 to 60 minutes if made ahead and chilled) or
till center appears set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories 247 Fat 12g Protein 18g Carbs 18g Sodium 516mg

[ewatkins]

Look for strata recipes -- they're the egg/cheese/bread dishes that you asseble the night before. CL has a good one with artichoke hearts. All our papers had them for Easter Brunch.

[Terrytx]

Here's a recipe that goes good with the strata recipes.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Warm Ham with Shallots and Vinegar

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Breakfast Pork


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup minced shallots
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
4 (4 ounce) slices smoked ham (about 1/4 inch thick), cut in
thin strips
2 tablespoons choped fresh parsley

Heat oil in a 9-inch cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; saute 2 minutes. Add vinegar and water; cook until reduced by half (about 1 minute). Add ham; cook 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Remove ham from pan; sprinkle with parsley.

serving size: 2 ounces ham 95 cal, 4.5 g fat, 11.2 g pro, 2.1 g carb, 26 mg chol, 811 mg sod.

Source:
"Cooking Light-12/2000"

[Ohioan]

Veggie frittatas are delicious cold or reheated, especially with a little salsa on the side.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[foodiedelite]

Here's a recipe I used for a Christmas Cookie Exchange Brunch. It is from a cookbook titled "Cookin Tweenst the Rivers."
Holiday Strata

10 slices day old white bread, buttered on one side and quartered
2 cups finely chopped ham
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups finely diced red bell pepper
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup chopped green onion
9 eggs, beaten
4 cups milk (I used half and half instead)
1 TBSP. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
**I also added 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper and 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic (not in recipe)
1) Arrange bread in bottom of a 3 quart baking dish; cover with ham and next 4 ingredients.
2) Combine eggs and remaining ingredients; pour this mixture over ingredients in baking dish.
3) Cover and refrigerate overnight http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
4) Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.
Serves 12-16.

Very attractive and everyone always ask for the recipe.

Served with:
Grand Fruit Salad
Tomato and Bacon Salad in Bibb
Lettuce Cups
Gingerbread Raisin Scones
Eggnog Poppy Seed Bread
Raspberry Marzipan Coffee Cake
English Toffee Cheesecake
Southern Pecan Coffee and
Mimosas

Brunch was at 11:00 so I was able to prepare salads that morning. The breads were baked several days earlier and put in the freezer. The cheesecake made night before.
Everyone thought it was a great brunch.

[LGBurns]

On similar threads I've recommended the Fontina, Asparagus and Leek Strata from March '99. Easy, make ahead, delicious and a beautiful presentation.

[AndreaU]

I just made the Farmer's Casserole that sneezles posted-- yum! I made it the night before and, after having realized that my evaporated skim milk was NASTY, I used regular skim milk (only about a cup or so). It turned out great- my husband loved it, as did I, and we also had it the next day for breakfast.

[Lisa D]

Bossy,
I'm putting in my vote for Strata Milano with Gorgonzola! It is really easy, make ahead and has fabulous flavor...Some cheeses, some bacon, some tomato! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
This one is listed in the recipe finder.
Lisa

[bossy]

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Some of these I will definitely do in the future. As it turns out my lunch is tomorrow and it is supposed to be close to 80 so am throwing together some salads this time. Now I sort of wish it was still a bit chilly so we could try those stratas http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif.