Canadian
The King Family Christmas Bake (Wifesaver)
A special shout-out to Sarah's mother Clare King who created this alternative to a similar dish. This recipe has become a tradition in the King household and served at Christmas. slices of bread – crusts Christmas breakfast that does the work while everyone else attacks wrapping paper.
What It Is
A special shout-out to Sarah's mother Clare King who created this alternative to a similar dish. This recipe has become a tradition in the King household and served at Christmas. slices of bread – crusts Christmas breakfast that does the work while everyone else attacks wrapping paper.
Origin
The Dinner by the Minute source lists the origin as: Canada (Alberta - Calgary, Edmonton).
Fun Fact
Overnight egg strata dishes earned the nickname "wifesaver" in mid-century cookbooks, on the logic that assembling it the night before saved someone a frantic morning. The name has aged about as well as unrefrigerated mayonnaise.
Ingredients
- Bread slices, crusts removed (quantity not stated in source)
- 12 slices ham or bacon
- 12 slices sharp cheddar
- 5 to 6 eggs
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 4 tbsp chopped peppers
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried mustard
- 3 cups milk
- Dash hot sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- Crushed corn flakes (quantity not stated in source)
Steps
- Butter a 9x13 baking dish and place the slices of the bread down layer the cheese and ham on top and then cover with the remaining bread
- Beat the eggs with all of the remaining ingredients except the butter and Corn Flakes in a medium bowl
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cover the dish with saran wrap and put in the fridge overnight
- In the morning melt the butter and drizzle over the casserole and then top with crushed Corn Flakes
- Cook it at 350ºF for an hour or until the top turns a nice golden brown once cooked let it sit for 10 minutes and then serve
Notes
Original cookbook note: You can make many substitutions for this dish. Instead of milk, use eggnog (when available), switch out white bread with your favourite bread, even glutenfree. Try it with different cheeses, add in some of your favourite vegetables to bring out additional flavours. For the cereal topping try it with Special K©, Frosted Flakes©, and even Raisin Bran. Grammar, spelling and punctuation were cleaned for Spoon & Scribble. Source claims that were not needed for the recipe itself were not silently promoted into new facts.
Substitutions
From the cookbook: You can make many substitutions for this dish. Instead of milk, use eggnog (when available), switch out white bread with your favourite bread, even glutenfree. Try it with different cheeses, add in some of your favourite vegetables to bring out additional flavours. For the cereal topping try it with Special K©, Frosted Flakes©, and even Raisin Bran.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days. This one reheats surprisingly well — better than most egg dishes, in fact.
Freezing
Not stated in the cookbook. Most cooked bases can be frozen in airtight meal-sized portions, but dairy sauces, potatoes and fresh garnishes may change texture after thawing.