Have you ever thought, “If only I had an extra day to …?” To travel, to read, to spend time with family. Or just to sleep. Every four years because our days aren’t exactly 24 hours long, we add an extra day in February, just to get caught up to match the seasonal rotation of the Earth around the Sun. If we didn’t, June would eventually be the winter season. Our last leap day was during the 2020 pandemic. That year was so long, an extra day just added insult to injury. How do you spend that rare day that only comes around in four years? I think we should do something that we would not normally do. Play leapfrog, clean out a closet, or eat breakfast for dinner.
My mom used to make breakfast for dinner as a special treat, but I think it was because it was cheap and easy on busy nights. I am not talking about eating a bowl of cereal over the sink, that does not count. It’s just sad. According to OnePoll, 65% of Americans love breakfast for dinner. Brunch has been around since the 1890’s. Brunches less obnoxious cousin, “Brinner” has been around almost as long. Most of us eat breakfast on the go. An elaborate breakfast is not always possible in the time between getting up and leaving the house in the morning. The idea of breakfast for dinner is to some a little wrong. It’s like eating dessert before dinner. That guilty feeling doesn’t last long. French toast and bacon are a satisfying end to the day. Few things in life are guaranteed except for death, taxes, and all-day breakfast at Denny’s. Some restaurants that serve all day breakfast include, Denny’s, Waffle House, Cracker Barrel and IHOP. If you want to make breakfast at home but need an easy to make casserole, I have the recipe for that. Have dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. Or frog legs, it is leap year after all. Feb. 29 is a special day. It only comes along once every four years. What will you do with your special extra day?
Breakfast casserole
Ingredients:
1 30 oz bag frozen shredded hash browns
18 oz cubed ham
2 green onions, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
8 eggs
2 12 oz cans evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups shredded cheese (whatever kind you prefer)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Add shredded hash browns to the casserole dish. Spread out evenly.
Top with diced ham, bell pepper, green onion and cheese.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, evaporated milk and spices. Pour over casserole.
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
You can substitute browned and drained crumbled sausage for the ham. I have also added spinach with the bell pepper.