Cowboy Christmas Breakfast Recipe

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375F. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish.

Cook sausage in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently and breaking up any large lumps with a fork, until browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off fat from skillet, then cool sausage to room temperature.

Cut half of loaf into 1-inch-thick slices and reserve remaining half for another use. Pulse butter and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on both sides of each bread slice, arranging bread in 1 layer in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle sausage on top.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until frothy, then whisk in scallions and half of cheese. Pour egg mixture over sausage (bread will float to the top), pushing down on bread with a spatula to help it absorb liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

(Dish can be assembled (but not baked) 12 hours ahead and chilled, covered with buttered foil. Bake as directed).

Bake, covered with a large sheet of buttered foil (buttered side down), 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil and bake until top is slightly puffed and eggs are cooked through in center, about 20 minutes more.

Let stand 10 minutes, then cut into serving squares.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 498 Calories; 34g Fat (62.6% calories from fat); 24g Protein; 23g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 480mg Cholesterol; 1025mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 5 Fat.