Brunch Blessings

Hi friends!  Are you getting ready for Easter at your house?  We sure are around here!  My oldest daughter turned 5 this week, and we gave her an Easter themed party to celebrate her special day.  The children are getting ready for egg hunts and have been "practicing" with pastel colored plastic eggs all week!  A friend asked me to share a recipe from my collection, and I thought I would pass it along to you too!  It would be a great Easter Brunch dish or something easy to prepare and share at church after a Sunrise Service.  It would also be beautiful served on our new Grace and Gratitude dishware!  Enjoy and remember, He is risen!

Ham and Cheese Brunch Squares

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 cups (8 ounces) grated Colby & Monterey Jack cheese blend, divided

1 package (22.5 ounces) frozen toaster hash brown patties, thawed (10 patties)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

12 eggs

½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

8 ounces thickly sliced deli ham

4-5 green onions with tops, divided (1 cup sliced)

3 plum tomatoes

Additional coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

1         Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Lightly brush pan with oil.  Grate cheese.  Crumble hash browns over pan; press gently into an even layer.  Sprinkle half of the cheese evenly over hash browns.  Bake 13-15 minutes or until crust starts to brown and cheese is melted.

2         Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add eggs and black pepper; whisk until smooth.  Coarsely chop ham.  Slice green onions, reserving ¼ cup of the tops for garnish.  Place ham and remaining green onions into sauté pan; cook and stir over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until hot.  Stir ham mixture into egg mixture.

3         Pour egg mixture over crust.  Return pan to oven; bake 6-8 minutes or until center is set.  Meanwhile, slice tomatoes in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and dice.  Remove pan from oven; top with remaining cheese, tomatoes and reserved green onions.  Sprinkle with additional black pepper, if desired.  Cut into squares and serve.

Tips:  To soften cream cheese, microwave on HIGH 15-20 seconds or until softened.  Whisk until smooth.

If desired, 2 cups cooked and crumbled bulk pork sausage (3/4 pound) or 1 pound bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled, can be substituted for the deli ham.

Please visit www.myblessingsunlimited.net/pagemccurry to view gorgeous Christian home decor and Easter gifts.  All profits (after tithes) support foreign missions.