We host a Christmas brunch for mine and Mike's family every year on the weekend before Christmas. This year's was actually this past Saturday. I always look for easy, but elegant dishes to cook. Casseroles and stratas that can be put together the night before and then popped into the oven on the morning of brunch. Pair that with some fresh fruit, oven baked bacon, pumpkin buttermilk biscuits (made the evening before but baked the morning of brunch), orange juice and coffee and you have a stress free brunch. A brunch in which YOU the host can actually relax and enjoy yourself. This year we made a Rosemary Strata and Emeril Lagasse's Breakfast Casserole with Broccoli, Ham Cheese.



I've already shared the Rosemary and Cheese Strata recipe with you before so today I want to share Emeril Lagasse's Breakfast Casserole, which is now our new favorite. Everyone raved. Really. My 18 year old nephew went back for seconds and came back disappointed because in his words "it was cleaned out" LOL.

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE WITH BROCCOLI, HAM AND CHEESE
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to season
6 cups broccoli florets (from about 2 pounds broccoli heads)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1⁄2 cups finely chopped onions
1 1/4 cups (about 8 ounces) finely chopped ham
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
8 cups cubed crusty bread such as French or Italian (1-inch cubes)
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups half-and-half
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallions (white and tender green parts)
1 1/4 teaspoons sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

First, the prep work:




To assemble the casserole:
Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Fill a large pot three-fourths full of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath.Season the water with salt, add the broccoli florets, and blanch until bright green and barely tender, about 1 minute.Using a skimmer, transfer the broccoli to the ice bath to halt the cooking. When the broccoli is fully chilled, drain well, pat dry with paper towels, and set aside.

In a small saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and a couple of pinches of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, cooled onions, ham, Cheddar cheese, and bread cubes. Toss gently to combine, then transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture in an even layer.





Using the same bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, chives, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed. Pour over the broccoli mixture.



Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for atleast 4 hours or up to overnight. About 30 minutes before baking, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature.

To bake the casserole:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole, uncovered, to the oven and continue baking until the top is golden brown and puffed and the casserole is cooked through when tested with a knife, about 15 minutes longer.

Transfer the casserole to a rack and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Cut into squares to serve.
Recipe compliments of Emeril Lagasse.




Emeril Lagasse's Breakfast Casserole with Broccoli, Ham Cheese recipe actually comes from an awesome new cookbook called, The Macy's Culinary Council Thanksgiving and Holiday Cookbook.



The cookbook features recipes from Macy’s Culinary Council chefs, which include Rick Bayless, Michelle Bernstein, Cat Cora, Tom Douglas, Todd English, Marc Forgione, Emeril Lagasse, Marcus Samuelsson, Tim Scott, Nancy Silverton, Ming Tsai, Wolfgang Puck and Takashi Yagihashi. The best of the best.



The cookbook is brimming with beautiful glossy photos and over 80 holiday recipes. You'll find everything from classic Thanksgiving dishes to Hanukkah recipes to holiday cookies to a New Year's Eve party. It is a lovely cookbook that deserves a spot in every home cook's kitchen and would make a wonderful gift this holiday season. Click HERE for more information about cookbook and to purchase.