Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

This recipe if from Food Network/Paula Deen.

Ingredients:

    * 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
    * 8 large eggs
    * 2 cups half-and-half
    * 1 cup milk
    * 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * Dash salt
    * Praline Topping, recipe follows
    * Maple syrup

Directions:

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

    * 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
    * 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    * 1 cup chopped pecans
    * 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Chicken Torta

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 (5 1/2") corn tortillas cut in half
• 1 (16 oz) jar tomatillo salsa
• 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies, drained
• 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Preparation: 

1. Combine yogurt and cream.
2. Place 1/3 of tortillas in a lightly greased 11 x 7 baking dish. Layer 1/2 each salsa, chicken, yogurt mixture, chilies, and 1/3 of cheese.
3. Place 1/3 of tortillas in baking dish; layer remaining salsa, chicken yougurt mixture, chilies, and 1/3 of cheese. Top with remaining tortillas and cheese. 
4. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake 15 minutes. Remove foil; bake 10-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Johnny Nasset Casserole

It's what's for dinner!  The non-casserole from my Aunt Marilyn.

Ingredients:

• 1 - 12oz. package egg noodles
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 1/2 cups stuffed green olives, sliced 
• 1 1/2 cups canned sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 clove garlic, minced 
• 4 cans tomato soup 
• 3 - 8oz cans tomato sauce 
• 1 - 6oz can tomato paste 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 cup grated cheddar

Preparation:

• Cook noodles til tender and drain
• Saute onion, celery, and green pepper in oil
• Add olives and mushrooms
• Stir until heated
• Saute ground beef with garlic til lightly browned
• Add soup, tomato sauce, and tomato paste
• Stir everything into noodles
• Put into casserole dish
• Top with cheese

Cooking

• Bake at 350 for 45 - 60 minutes