COWBOY CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

This recipe will serve 12 easily (and more if you have a guest accept unexpectedly at the last minute, or if one of your favorite friends wants to bring their Aunt Clutty). It's the usual recipe; sausage suspended in custard, with cheese and other flavorings. But boy, is it good! Why Christmas? I guess whoever named the recipe served it then, when the family was all together. Serving it to your guests will make them all feel like family, too.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

serves 12



1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for greasing baking dish

1 (1 lb) package bulk, breakfast sausage (not links)

1 (15" long) loaf Italian bread, about 4" wide

1 garlic clove, chopped

2 dozen large eggs (yes, honey, 2 dozen)

1 C whole milk

2 t salt

1 t black pepper

1 large bunch scallions, choppped (you can use the green parts as well as the white)

1/4 lb sharp Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)

1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

2. Cook sausage in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently and breaking up any large lumps with a fork, until browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off fat from skillet, then cool sausage to room temperature.

3. Cut half of bread into 1 inch thick slices and reserve remining half for another use. Pulse butter and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on both sides of each bead slice, arranging bread in 1 layer in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle sausage on top.

4. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl until frothy, then whisk in scallions and half of cheese. Pour egg mixture over sausage (bread will float to the top), pushing down on bread with spatula to help it absorb liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

5. Bake, tightly covered with a large sheeet of buttered foil (buttered side down), 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil and bake until top is slightly puffed and custard is set in center, about 20 minutes more. Transfer baking dish to a rack and let stand 10 minutes. Cut into 12 squares and serve immediately.

To Do Ahead: this can be assembled (but not baked) 12 hours ahead and chilled, tightly covered with  buttered foil. Allow to come to room temperature and bake as directed above.