The holidays...a lil' ol recap

I hosted my first ever Christmas for family. I'll have to say, the little over achiever that i am did pretty darn well. Family was impressed, and the food was tasty! I made the best breakfast casserole involving all the fattiest things in the world! I found this recipe from Paula Deen and we know that woman knows how to cook, but she doesn't do it without a little butter, and fat! I served it without the syrup, but people did not miss it! This is like heaven in a pan! :)


1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces) Butter, for pan 8 large eggs 2 cups half-and-half 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Dash salt Praline Topping, recipe follows Raspberry Syrup, recipe follows
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick 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 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry 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. Spread over bread as directed above.

I also made some assorted muffins, french bread for the homemade strawberry preserves that i made as well! If you love strawberries, this is seriously the best! A coworker made it and i knew i had to try to make it at home. It was soooo easy!

The holidays are always good times to spend with family but this year felt so rushed, and went by so fast. This was my last year as a single woman! I will spend my next christmas as a newlywed! YAY!