Cheesy Mock Souffle

This little goodie is easy to make, uses up un-usable leftovers, and is very inexpensive. It does not "collapse" like a real souffle and can be made ahead of time and baked before serving. You may add meat, veggies, and condiments to suit your taste and leftover "stash". It is the perfect thing to make after a party to use up the leftover cheese tray. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups bread or bread/cracker mix, crumbled
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups milk or milk/cream mix
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups cheese, shredded, grated, crumbled
• butter, oil, or Pam to butter the dish
• up to 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked meats and veggies (raw or cooked), optional
• herbs and spices to taste

Directions:

Break into small pieces or crumble 3 cups of leftover bread, English muffins, rolls, crackers, toast, matzo, etc. I find a mix of these is good, but use what you have. ( not all crackers, you need at least half bread for lightness)

Beat 4 eggs into 4 cups of milk or mixture of milk, cream, half and half and set aside

Prep 1 1/2 cup or more of grated, shredded, chopped, or crumbled cheese. I use up bits of dried out cheese, the tail ends of cream cheese, the odd slice of American, the last shake of Parmesan, etc. You can even use flavored cheese, like jalepeno, wine, tomato basil, etc. Just keep in mind when adding other spices and herbs.

Butter a deep casserole dish. (6 cup at least) or 2 non-metal loaf pans

Put a layer of bread in the pan, add a layer of cheese, and repeat until all is used, ending in cheese. Sprinkle a few bread or cracker crumbs on top if you like.

If you want to add raw or cooked veggies or cooked meat, sprinkle these into the layers as you go. Tomato, chopped bell peppers, onions, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, peas, limas, etc. Chopped cold cuts, leftover roast, chicken, ham, etc. are all good additions, just keep it to a minimum of flavors.

Pour the milk/egg mixture over the top, pushing the bread down gently so all is covered. At this point you can refrigerate for up to 2 hours before baking if you wish.

Bake in 350 degree F oven for 1 - 1 1/2 hours depending on pan. You'll know it's done when knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Great with a salad or steamed spinach, broccoli, green beans, etc.

Can be served as a side dish or main dish. Serves about 4-5 as a main dish with veggies or a salad, 6-8 as a side.

This can be served up to 1/2 hour after baking if kept in a warm oven.

By Laura, tucked away in the Plum Cottage, NJ