for my friend Suedonym, who writes:

C-dub,

I need some good Christmas morning recipes. I know you’ll have some fabulous ones. (She knows flattery will get her anywhere with me.)

P.S. If you are too busy right now, no worries. just sometime before next Christmas. (Hmmm. Wonder if she knows how many quilts I have started downstairs for “sometime before next Christmas” or just how very long they’ve been waiting down there?)

Merry Ho Ho Ho! (Inside joke. ya’ll really ought to be on twitter)

My response:

Quiche is good:
from my Belgian mission cookbook

8-inch pie shell
3 eggs
1 c. heavy cream
1 c. grated Gruyere (or Swiss)
1 tsp. butter
8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled or several slices baked ham, diced
dash of salt
dash of freshly ground nutmeg

Beat eggs with a fork. Add cream and beat again. Add salt and grate nutmeg into the mix. Sprinkle cheese in the bottom of the pie crust. Spread meat over the cheese. Pour egg mixture over the top. Dot with butter. Put the quiche or pie pan on a cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated oven @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Cool and serve warm or cold.

But this is what I’ve been doing in recent years because I can whip it up the night before and leave it in the fridge (or in your case, the new fridge! yay!) overnight. I pop it in the oven as the kids get ready to come in to the living room and see their presents and it’s ready by the time they realize they’re hungry.

Breakfast Strata
from my friend Donnette, who also makes chain mail as a hobby

10 slices good white bread (this year I’m using homemade)
butter
3/4 lb. shredded cheddar
3/4 lb. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (Shane came back from the grocery store w/ Colby Jack. I use whatever I’ve got on hand.)
Diced ham bacon or sausage (optional)
8 eggs, lightly beaten
3 c. light cream or milk (I generally go about half and half)
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder (which I never have on hand)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (Carina was right about anchovies)
1 tsp. dry mustard

Butter bread on one side, then cube. Butter 9×13 baking dish. Layer half the bread cubes; sprinkle with half the cheeses; lather. rinse. repeat. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over top. Refrigerate overnight. Bake @ 325 degrees for 1 hour or till done (whenever that is).

Now I’ve got to get back to my Chex Mix and my Pulla.

Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Happy New Year!