Baking Bacon

I have found that making bacon is a cumbersome task. It spits grease all over my kitchen and you have to constantly watch it and turn it until done.

I have found the easiest way to prepare the bacon is to bake it.

Take a large baking sheet with edges (jelly roll pan or cake pan) and line with aluminum foil.

Lay your bacon pieces on the foil with the pieces just touching.

Bake in a preheated 400º oven for 15-20 minutes depending on personal preference for crispiness.

Remove from the oven and serve everyone piping hot bacon at the same time.

After breakfast, just pull off the foil from the pan and toss. Clean up is done!

Breakfast Casserole

You have company staying the night, but you don't have a bunch of time to get breakfast ready in the morning. A breakfast casserole will fit the bill. Just set your oven timer the evening before so that it is on and preheated by the time that you get up to put the casserole in.

(any vegetables can be substituted for the mushrooms, or it can be omitted all together)

Yield: 8 servings

1 1/2 lb sausage
6 slices bread; cubed
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese; shredded
6 eggs
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 cup milk
1 cup mushroom; sliced
1/2 cup onion; minced

Brown sausage in a large skillet, drain well. Add onions and saute until translucent.

Place Bread cubes in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan (greased).

Sprinkle sausage mixture over bread.

Sprinkle cheese and mushrooms over sausage.

Beat eggs, milk and salt together well.

Pour slowly over cheese/sausage/mushrooms.

Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, bake in a preheated oven (325°F). for 45 minutes.

PANCAKE/WAFFLE TIPS

When making pancakes or waffles, combine all of the ingredients into a blender and puree until mixed. Now you can pour the batter onto the hot Waffle Iron or Griddle and have less to cleanup after the meal as well as a lump free breakfast.

Made too much? Not a problem! Just cool the extra pancakes and waffles on a wire rack. When cool, place in plastic freezer bags and freeze. Now when you want a hot breakfast in a rush, just pop into the toaster or a toaster oven to re-heat.

PERFECT PANCAKES

Everyone knows that the first batch of pancakes that come off the griddle are always the ones that you throw out.

To ensure success on the first try, apply a thin film of oil to the preheated griddle.

Remove any excess with a paper towel as too much will make your pancake crusty and uneven in color and height.

After cooking your first batch of pancakes, using the paper towel that had the extra oil on it, recoat the griddle.

Wait a minute for the griddle to come back to temperature, and cook your next batch of pancakes. Repeat until all cakes are cooked.

OMLETTE PIZZA'S

The next time that you make omlettes, try adding a bit of pepperoni and mozzerella cheese.

Now your kids won't balk at eating healthy food for breakfast!

SOURDOUGH PANCAKES

The sourdough recipes are back, sorry for the lapse! Hope you remembered to feed your starter even if you didn’t use it!

If you want to start out breakfast in a great way, make up some sourdough pancakes.

Grab a plastic or glass bowl, don’t forget, no metal for these guys.

Combine 1 cup of your sourdough starter, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons sugar. Mix well with a wood or plastic spoon.

Add ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a dash of salt. Mix until well combined.

You should see your batter beginning to rise in the bowl and bubble a bit. Let it sit while your griddle is preheating to 375º.

Grease your griddle well when it is hot and drop your batter onto the hot griddle with a small ladle, about 1/8 cup at a time.

When you see small bubbles appear all over the surface of you pancakes, flip over and cook for about 20-30 seconds.

If your pancakes are too thin, add a bit more flour. If they are too thick, add a bit of water or milk until you have reached the desired consistency.

When they are done cooking, place on a cookie sheet in a preheated oven set to 300º. When all the pancakes are made remove from the oven and serve to all.

This will serve 4-6 people depending on appetite.