If you like planning ahead then you will love this Croatian breakfast casserole. Traditionally served on Easter Sunday, this dish combines leftover or fresh bread, ham, and bacon.
They are mixed with eggs and baked to a golden perfection. Best of all, it can be prepared the night before which is perfect for taking the stress out of a holiday morning.
Whenever I was sent to stay with my aunt Jelica in Delnice, she would make this casserole for Sunday breakfast.
I actually ate everything my aunt put in front of me, to my mom's delight, partially because I was a shy little girl that obeyed her aunt and partially because the fresh air from this mountainous region of western Croatia really worked wonders.
When everything else failed in attempts to make me eat, doctors would recommend the change of climate for a couple of months, to my delight.
It really helped my anorexia for the time being (if you're not familiar with my eating disorder, you can read about it on my about page). I pretty much only saw my aunt on those occasions and I always gained a few pounds while I stayed with her.
This bacon and ham breakfast casserole and potatoes with swiss chard are still my favorite dishes from Croatia.
This Easter morning, I'll serve aunt Jelica's breakfast casserole with ham and bacon and reminisce about summers at her log house. That's what I call pure comfort.
Ingredients:
- stale bread
- milk
- bacon
- green onions (scallions)
- ham
- ground thyme
- Salt and pepper
- butter
- eggs
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a small casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, add the bread and milk. Set aside to soak.
- Meanwhile, in a non-stick skillet, fry the bacon until crisp. Stir in the white parts of the scallions, ham, thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the butter.
- Pour the beaten eggs over the bread and add the green parts of the scallions. Gently mix in the ham and bacon mixture and put into a prepared casserole dish.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until eggs are set and the casserole is golden brown in color.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, sliced scallions or chopped parsley. Serve with sour cream.
Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Bacon
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a small casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, add the bread and milk. Set aside to soak.
- Meanwhile, in a non-stick skillet, fry the bacon until crisp. Stir in the white parts of the scallions, ham, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the butter.
- Pour the beaten eggs over the bread and add the green parts of the scallions. Gently mix in the ham and bacon mixture and put into prepared casserole dish.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until eggs are set and the casserole is golden brown in color.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, sliced scallions or chopped parsley. Serve with sour cream.
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