Sunday Special: Bagel & Lox Breakfast Casserole

.  I know, what is going on at LSM?

I don't think two savory posts in a row has ever happened here.  But not to worry, I have absolutely zero intentions of changing my focus to cooking.  Sorry, not happenin', Robbie.

But you know how sometimes you can just kind of 'sweet' yourself out?  Probably not, because most likely you don't live with a baker.  But trust me, it can happen.  Hard to imagine, but it can.  And I think I made just one [or three] too many sugar-coma goodies in the past few weeks.

But why haven't you seen any of these creations?  Well...they were flops.  Not sure what was going on in my baking world as of late, but I had a couple of misses I didn't think were blog worthy [e.g., Oreo Cream Brownies].  So in addition to making a lot of desserts, the fact that they didn't turn out was a little disheartening.  Thus, apparently my taste buds turned to the savory to give myself a break.

Plus, Robbie recently started on his new audit client, which happens to be out in Northbrook, IL.  Though only a short 20-some miles away, horrendous Chicago traffic turns the drive into about an hour long [or more].  Hence, Robbie leaves at the crack of dawn just to make it in to work on time.  Thanks Deloitte...

So in efforts to pull ahead in the race for fiancé of the year, I made this casserole twice in the past two weeks as Robbie's on-the-go breakfast.  Throw it in a microwavable bowl/cup and voila: a hot, easy, travel-size breakfast for the car ride.

But let's get into the deets of what actually makes this dish so desirable that Robbie requested I make it again [because the first time he didn't have a choice].  

Bagels.  Smoked Salmon.  Cheese.  And Chives.

All mixed together [with a few other tasty ingredients] recreating the ever-so-famous NYC Bagel & Lox combination in one dish.  A truly hearty, yet healthy, flavorful breakfast that Robbie seriously couldn't get enough of.

I, on the other hand, might have smoked salmon myself out.  So I'll be making some cookies today ☺️  .

My Notes:

• Since the bagels are a main component, use the best quality bagels you can.  Also, don't be afraid to try out different flavors of bagels, too!  But for the first go around, going plain is probably best and then you can adapt next time.
• To go along with those bagels, also be sure to use the best quality salmon you can.  Yes, smoked salmon is not cheap.  But it will make a difference in this dish that will last you quite a while!

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:

1/4 c. butter, melted

8 c. (about 4 to 6) plain bagels, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 (3 oz.) package smoked salmon, cut into small pieces

4 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded

4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/4 c. snipped fresh chives

8 eggs, beaten

2 c. milk

1 c. cottage cheese

1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:

1. Place melted butter in 13x9-inch baking dish to cover bottom.  Spread bagel pieces evenly in prepared dish.  Sprinkle smoked salmon, cheese, and chives evenly over bagels.
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and pepper, and whisk until combined.  Pour over bagel mixture in pan.  With back of a large spoon, gently press down bread pieces to make sure all of the ingredients are moistened.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours up to overnight.
3. When ready to bake, heat oven to 350ºF.  Bake 45 minutes or until set and edges are puffed and golden.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 12 servings

Per Serving: Calories - 267; Total Fat - 14g; Cholesterol - 176mg; Carbohydrates - 16g; Fiber - 1g; Sugar - 3g; Protein - 17g