Monday, December 19, 2011

Holiday Goodies (Savory)

Since holiday cooking isn't just about the sweet stuff, I thought I should add a post about some of my favorite savory holiday dishes.

Mary's Corn Pudding
This stuff is so good that I usually end up making 2 batches at a time

Ingredients
  • 1/2 C Butter, melted
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 16 oz can of whole kernel corn
  • 1 16oz can of cream style corn
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 8 oz corn bread mix (I prefer Jiffy Mix)
Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Mix butter, eggs, corn and sour cream together
  • Add corn bread mix, stir to combine
  • Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole pan
  • Bake for 45-60 minutes until golden brown and set in the middle

The Best Holiday Cheese Ball

Surprisingly easy to make and delightful to consume

Ingredients

  • 2 C shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 Tbl mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbl worcestershire sauce
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 tsp cayanne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 c sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

  • Process all ingredients except almonds in a food processor until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary, about 1 minute
  • Transfer cheese mixture to center of a large sheet of plastic wrap
  • Holding the corners of wrap in one hand, twist cheese with other hand to seal wrap and shape cheese into a rough ball
  • Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours
  • Once cheese ball is firm, reshape as necessary into a smooth sphere
  • Unwrap cheese ball and roll in almonds
  • Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving

Breakfast Strata

Its tradition in my family to have a large breakfast buffet while unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning. A breakfast casserole, or strata, is perfect for such an occasion. I've included a basic recipe but you can change out the various cheese, meats and veggies as you want.

WARNING: This recipe takes some time and planning ahead. Do not try to put it together the morning you want to eat it.

Ingredients

  • 8-10 (1/2) inch slices of French or Italian Bread
  • 3 Tbl unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz bulk breakfast sausage, crumbled
  • 3 medium green onions, minced
  • 8 oz mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
  • 1/2 C dry white wine (Sauvingnon Blanc)
  • 6 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (1 1/2 Cups)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 3/4 C half and half

Directions

  • Heat oven to 225 degrees
  • Arrange bread in a single layers on a large baking sheet and bake until dry and crisp, about 40 minutes, turning over halfway through drying time (or leave them out overnight to dry).
  • When cooled, butter slices on 1 side and set aside
  • Brown sausage in a skillet, about 4 minutes
  • Add green onions and cook until softened and translucent
  • Add mushrooms and cook until they no longer release liquid, about 6 minutes
  • Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper
  • Add wine to skillet and simmer until reduced to1/4 C, 2-3 minutes; set aside
  • Butter an 8 inch square baking dish and arrange half of the buttered slices, buttered side up in a single layer in the dish.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 of the sausage/mushroom mixture then add 1/2 C of cheese over the slices; repeat
  • Whisk eggs in a medium bowl until combined
  • Whisk in reduced wine, half and half, salt and pepper to taste
  • Pour egg mixture evenly over bread layers
  • Cover surface flush with plastic wrap
  • Weigh down and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight
  • Remover dish from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes
  • Preheat oven to 325
  • Uncover Strata and sprinkle remaining cheese over surface
  • Bake until both edges and center are barely puffed and edges have pulled slightly away from the sides, 50-55 minutes (or 1 hr, 20 minutes for a doubled recipe)

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