Ham, Egg, and Cheese Pockets

A friend left this on an old recipe blog. Thanks friend!

This one comes from a B&B in Maine. Their breakfasts were so good that I asked for the recipes!

12 slices of ham
Shredded Cheese
12 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Slice ham slices in half. Spray muffin tin with Pam or other non-stick spray. In each muffin cup, press two half pieces of ham, criss-crossing the pieces. Spoon in about 1 Tablespoon of shredded cheese and gently press it to the edges, leaving a "bowl" for the egg. Carefully crack one egg into each pocket.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. (Cooking time will depend on your oven.) Try not to open oven door while baking, but do make sure not to burn them! If you have a window on your oven door, it is most useful! When the egg white is fully cooked and egg yoke is still a little runny - they are perfect!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

My daughter made this smoothie for our family this morning for breakfast... DELICIOUS! One of the best smoothies we've had.

10 frozen strawberries
1 banana
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 Tbs sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cubes ice

In a blender, combine all the ingredients; blend until smooth and creamy.

**If using fresh strawberries, make sure to hull first, and add more ice.
***We are going to try using Splenda instead of sugar next time, to make it a little more healthy.
****Variation, we just made this with blueberries instead of strawberries and banana. Also delicious! Use a large pile of frozen blueberries and a little extra milk. :)

Baked French Toast Casserole

This is similar to the Baked Apple French Toast, but without the apple. It's a little more involved but it is tasty.

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Baked Apple French Toast

This is a favorite to have on Christmas morning. I make it up the day before and just have to pop it in the oven when we get up. Delicious!!!

· 20 slices French bread (1 inch thick)
· 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
· 8 eggs
· 2 cups milk
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· TOPPING:
· 1 cup packed brown sugar
· 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
· 1 cup chopped pecans

Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Spread with pie filling; top with remaining bread. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, place brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over French toast.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Yield: 10 servings

***I've never fit 10 slices of bread in the pan, but it depends on the diameter of the bread.