ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND EGG CASSEROLE

When you're expecting a group of hungry people for brunch, this scrumptous egg casserole dish will win you great big compliments. I'm Kathy Maister...

SERVINGS : 8

INGREDIENTS
1 pound of Italian sweet sausage - casing removed
1/2 cup of shallots - chopped
2 teaspoons of garlic - minced
1/2 cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes - drained and chopped
4 tablespoons of fresh parsley - chopped
5 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 cup of half and half
1 cup of whipping cream
2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon of salt

PROCESSING METHOD

* Preheat oven to 375°F.

* Smear 1 Tablespoon of Butter on a glass baking dish measuring 13 inches long by 9 inches wide by 2inches deep. Put it to one side

* Let’s get the first five ingredients prepared. Peel and chop 1/2 cup of shallots. Peel and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Drain 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes on a paper towel. They too need get chopped up. Chop 4 tablespoons of washed parsley.

* With a knife cut the sausage casing lengthwise and then just peel them off. Set all this aside for the moment!

* Preheat your nonstick pan over medium heat. Fry the sausage until its browned and cooked through, this should take about 10 minutes. Be sure to keep breaking it up into small pieces with back of a fork.

* Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and continue cooking for another 3 minutes.

* Now add the sun-dried tomatoes and half of the parsley, stir 1 minute. Save the rest for later.

* Spread the sausage mixture into the prepared baking dish. If you want you can do all of this 1 day ahead. Cover it and put it in the refrigerator until tomorrow.

* Separate 3 large eggs. Separating means we break open the egg and let the white part slip into a bowl and put the yolks into a larger mixing bowl. You can freeze the whites and add them to your next omelet.

* Now add 5 more whole eggs, 1 cup of 1/2 and 1/2 and 1 cup of whipping cream whisk everything together. Add 1 and 1/2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Blend it all together really well.

* Pour the egg mixture over sausage mixture.

* Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top. Then sprinkle on the rest of the parsley.

* Bake this for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. When you insert a knife into the center it should come out clean, without anything sticking to the knife.

* Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

*Add some fruit and a bagel and you’ve got yourself some big ole compliments coming your way!