Working with one of the local high schools, it fell my lot to prepare breakfast for faculty and staff more than once. Many breakfast casserole recipes were accumulated, and this one was absolutely the best. It has all the major ingredients for a full breakfast and is actually best when prepared the night before.

I, along with all the secretaries, would gather in the cafeteria after the last bell of the day and start preparation for the faculty breakfast the next morning. This breakfast torta could be prepared and stored in the cooler overnight. The next morning, it was easy to pull prepared casserole from the cooler and bake. What a special treat this was. Cheese grits were usually prepared to go along with this casserole and we always had apple julep as our fruit drink.

Breakfast Torta

(With sausage, eggs, potatoes and cheese; serve with fried green tomatoes or cheese grits)

Ingredients

• 10 eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½  pound hash brown potatoes
• 1 ½ pound Italian sausage
• ½ cup each, chopped: green onions, green bell pepper, red bell pepper
• 1 tube crescent rolls
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Sprinkle of paprika

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Fry sausage until browned; drain and set aside. Fry potatoes in oil, add onions and peppers and fry until crisp tender. Combine beaten eggs, milk and spices; whisk together and set aside. 

Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch pan. Line bottom of dish with crescent rolls. For the next layer, add sausage, then add a layer of potatoes and then a layer of cheese.  Pour the egg mixture on top of casserole. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake in pre-heated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

This is a good recipe to make the night before. After placing all ingredients into pan, place it into the refrigerator and it will be ready to bake the next morning.

From the scriptures

Almost all books in the Bible contain references to foods. Luke 4:4 says, “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Reading the Bible will supply you with spiritual food the same way that cooking and consuming food supplies your body with physical food. This recipe references the following scriptures:

• Song of Solomon 2:5
• Luke 11:12
• 1 Samuel 17:29
• 1 Kings 17: 6
• Leviticus 24:5-9