Christmas Morning Wife Saver

When it comes to the holiday season, all I can say is: God bless the caker wife.

There she is on Christmas Eve, running around in her white pumps and apron, topping up eggnogs, dumping out ashtrays, keeping the shrimp ring replenished and looking pleasantly surprised when she unwraps her husband’s gift – a pink bottle of Avon bubble bath. Again.

The last thing she wants to think about is what to feed her family on Christmas morning. Thankfully, caker wives look out for caker wives. This delicious casserole is prepared the night before, so come morning, she’ll throw it down like no one’s business in her velour housecoat. If only her family thanked her.

Next time you pass a caker wife, do me a favour and high five her.

Holy crap! My annual Caker Christmas party is tomorrow night! I gotta get to the No Frills and buy some ground beef. There’s supposed to be an ice storm, so who knows if any Italians will show up? I'll post all the saturated fat details on Monday, December 23rd.

16 slices white bread, crusts removed

Slices/pieces of bacon and ham (see note)

Slices of sharp cheddar cheese

6 eggs

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

¼ cup minced onion

¼ cup green pepper, finely chopped

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 cups whole milk or cream

Dash red pepper (Tabasco sauce)

¼ pound butter

Special K or crushed Corn Flakes

Put 8 slices in the bottom of a 9x13 buttered, glass baking dish. Add pieces to cover dish entirely. Cover bread with slices/pieces of ham and bacon. Lay slices of cheddar cheese on top of bacon and ham. Cover with slices of bread to make it like a sandwich.

In bowl, beat eggs, salt and pepper. To the egg mixture, add dry mustard, onion, green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, milk or cream and Tabasco. Pour over sandwiches. Cover and let stand in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, melt ¼ pound butter and pour over the top. Cover with Special K or crushed Corn Flakes. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour at 350°. Serve with fresh fruit and hot cinnamon buns.

Note: Make sure the bacon is cooked.

Source: A Commemorative Cookbook….with a “Pinch of History,” Whitby Psychiatric Hospital