Southwest Sausage Bake

When we got married Jefferson and I decided we wanted to start a tradition of having a nice Christmas breakfast. Nice meaning not bagels, cereal, or pop tarts! This is our favorite thing to make for breakfast on Christmas morning. You put it together the day before so then all you have to do in the morning is toss it in the oven!

6 flour tortillas (10 inches), cut into ½ inch strips

4 cans green chilies, drained

1 pound pork sausage, cooked and drained

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

10 eggs

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon each…salt, garlic salt, onion salt, pepper, and ground cumin,

paprika

2 medium tomatoes, sliced

Sour Cream and salsa

In a greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish, layer half the tortilla strips, chilies, sausage and cheese. Repeat layers. In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk and seasonings; pour over cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate overnight

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 50 minutes. Arrange tomato slices over the top. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Hot Chocolate

2 cubes unsweetened chocolate

½ cup water

¾ cup sugar

dash of salt

½ cup heavy whipping cream (we whip extra so that we can add sugar to it and add it on top of our hot chocolate)

6 cups of milk

Melt chocolate in ½ cup of water on low heat until melted.

Add ¾ cup of sugar and dash of salt. Bring to a boil and boil for 4 minutes then cool in fridge or freezer.

Mix whipping cream until thick and fold in ½ cup whipping cream and all 6 cups of milk. Heat until ready to serve.

*try it with a dash of cinnamon in your cup!

You can throw the extra in the fridge and heat it up later for another treat!

California Pizza Kitchen Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza

I tried this tonight and it was tasty! I couldn't find Jerk Seasoning so I made my own with the following recipe:

• Jerk Seasoning
• Combine:
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Jerk Chicken Pieces
1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons jerk seasoning
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

To make Jerk Chicken:

In a clean mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the Jerk seasoning and Cayenne pepper.

Coat chicken breasts with olive oil and jerk seasoning/cayenne pepper mix and grill.

Cut breasts into 3/4-inch pieces.

Caribbean Sauce - (I suggest doubling this)
1/2 tablespoon cold water
1/2 teaspoon Wondra Flour
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
3/4 teaspoon jerk seasoning

To make Caribbean Sauce:

Add water to a mixing bowl.

Slowly sprinkle flour into water while whisking at the same time. Break up any clumps.

Add sweet chili sauce and jerk seasoning to flour mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Add sauce to a non-stick saute pan and cook over high flame for approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Stir continuously.

When sauce is thickened transfer to a container and store at room temperature.

For the Pizza

Pizza dough - (I used Joy's recipe that is listed under pizza dough)

Caribbean Sauce
3-4 cups mozzarella
1/4 cup roasted red and yellow peppers
1/4 cup sliced yellow onions
1/4 cup crispy bacon
13 to 15 pieces Jerk Chicken (3/4-inch)
Sprinkling of additional mozzarella

To make the pizza:

Use a spoon to spread the Caribbean sauce over pizza dough.

Distribute ingredients on the pizza and cook according to the dough directions.