Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 pinch dried parsley
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Place bacon in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain and set aside. Add the mushrooms and onion to the skillet; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent and the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with the tablespoon of butter. Place potatoes in bottom of prepared dish. Sprinkle with salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Top with crumbled bacon, then add the onions and mushrooms.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and parsley. Pour the beaten eggs over the casserole and top with grated cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
5. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until set.

Cook's Note
If you're baking this the same day you make it (so it's not refrigerated) reduce the bake time to 45 minutes.

Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 494 | Total Fat: 28.6g | Cholesterol: 238mg

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 6 slices Swiss cheese
• 6 slices ham
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. Place a cheese and ham slice on each breast within 1/2 inch of the edges. Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour and paprika in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.
2. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Add the wine and bouillon. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
3. Remove the toothpicks, and transfer the breasts to a warm platter. Blend the cornstarch with the cream in a small bowl, and whisk slowly into the skillet. Cook, stirring until thickened, and pour over the chicken. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 584 | Total Fat: 40.9g | Cholesterol: 195mg

Cajun Shrimp Oricchiette

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked orecchiette pasta
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup diced plum tomatoes
• 1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined
• 1 cup baby spinach

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orecchiette pasta, and cook for 9 to 11 minutes, until almost al dente; drain.
2. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in shallots, garlic, and green onion. Season with Cajun seasoning and pepper, and cook about 2 minutes. Mix in wine, tomatoes, and shrimp. 
3. Continue to cook and stir until shrimp are opaque. Mix in the pasta and spinach, cover, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until pasta is al dente and spinach has wilted.

Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 327 | Total Fat: 12.2g | Cholesterol: 142mg

Upstairs on the Square - Brunch

Upstairs on the Square is one of my favorite spots in Cambridge. This was the first time I had ever been to their Sunday brunch and it was FANTASTIC. I always thought there should be some sort of "breakfast appetizer" and Upstairs on the Square sure does deliver. Mini cinnamon buns, mini muffins and mini cheese scones were brought with juice and coffee. This is the Old Fashioned Brioche French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup and House made Sausage Patties. I got the Goat Cheese and Herb Omelet everything was delicious. Would now recommend both Brunch and Dinner!