Breakfast Casserole

1 lb sausage, any variety, or cubed ham (bacon not recommended) (Use gluten-free meats for a gluten-free dish.)

1/2 c onion, chopped

1 green, red or yellow bell pepper, diced

2 c milk

5 eggs

salt & pepper, to taste

1-2 cups cheddar or Monterrey jack cheese, shredded

pinch of nutmeg or savory

1-2 T fresh parsley (less if using dried parsley)

6-7 slices of bread, crusts removed, if desired (Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free dish.)

Brown meat with onion and peppers.  (If using a mild flavored meat, feel free to add some garlic or spices of your own.)  Drain.  Place in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.  Layer bread slices on top, cutting as necessary to cover completely.  Beat together eggs, milk and spices.  Pour over top of bread.  Cover with tin foil and place in refrigerator overnight.  Then, top with shredded cheese and bake in 370 degree oven for 45 minutes-1 hour or until inserted knife comes out clean. (WARNING:  Make sure NOT to place a COLD dish directly into a Hot oven!  This will break your pan and make a horrible mess in your oven!  Either allow dish to get to room temp first, or put it in a cold oven and allow temp to gradually increase.  Disobeying the laws of physics while cooking is never a good idea.)

Variations:  You can add other items to this dish to make it extra special--AND/OR you can also substitute vegies for the meat for a vegetarian variety.  (If doing this; however, you should add more salt, spices and/or vegetable bouillon to keep it flavorful.)  Suggestions:

sauteed mushrooms

sauteed onions

frozen peas

shredded carrot

broccoli

spinach

Use your imagination!