Nosh
Your Pain Away
The last thing
you’re going to want to do as a host is wake up extra-early the day of
the party and cook. It would be too easy to stay underneath your warm
covers and then get jolted to reality by the doorbell at 12 o’clock.
Most stores have limited hours on New Year’s Eve, so plan to stop by
your local bread store or bakery and pick up a few dozen muffins and a
couple loaves of sweet nut or fruit bread. Don’t think healthy here.
If you weren’t having your friends over, they would most likely be
turning to some nice greasy eggs and bacon, or a frozen pizza. The
cravings for salt and fat are at their height during a hangover, so
arrange your goodies accordingly. Don’t have anything overly spicy or
exotic. Think soft and non-threatening.
More
munchies:
- Try some flavored
butter to go with your breads and muffins. Mix a stick of softened
butter with 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted pecans and about a
tablespoon of honey.
- Make a fruit salad
enviable of any Grandma’s potluck secret: Mix one can drained crushed
pineapple, a can of mandarin oranges, 2-3 sliced bananas, and ½ cup
sliced maraschino cherries. Stir in a cup of Cool Whip and sprinkle with
sweetened coconut shreds.
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Brunch
Casserole (makes
1 pan, serves 8-12)
12-14 slices white bread,
buttered and crusts removed
2 c. either cubed ham, browned sausage crumbles, or mixed, sautéed
vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, and green peppers
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
8 eggs
2 c. milk
Few dashes Tabasco
Salt/pepper
Topping:
2 c. corn flake crumbs
1 stick butter
1. Melt
butter in small saucepan and stir in corn flake crumbs.
2.
Place 6-7
slices of bread in 9x13” pan, buttered side down. Sprinkle
ham, cooked sausage, or vegetables and cheese on bread. Lay last
6-7 slices of bread on top of cheese over cheese and meats or
vegetables buttered side down.
3.
Mix eggs,
milk, Tabasco, and salt and pepper and pour all over the bread.
Refrigerate overnight. Take out of refrigerator 1 hour before
baking.
4.
Prepare topping and spread over top of casserole.
Bake at 325º F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffed and
topping is lightly browned. Let casserole sit at least 5 minutes
before serving.
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