Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake

I am such a lazy hostess. I hate being in the kitchen, especially early mornings. I especially hate having to stand in front of a hot stove in order to prepare breakfast for the family. That's why they get porridge. I hate having to prepare breakfast for a crowd even more. Everyone likes their eggs different (soft, hard, sunny side up, scrambled) and even their bacon preferences differ (crispy, soft, back bacon, lots of fat). Aargh, it's enough to make me scream and refuse to have any guest over!

This breakfast bake was prepared with just bread, ham, cheese and eggs the night before and then just popped into the oven and served while still hot. Add a few Rosa tomatoes and cucumber slices for a balanced breakfast. Any lazy hostess' dream breakfast. If you just can't stand arranging the sandwiches so they look delicious and everyone can see the ham and cheese. then just dice everything, mix well and follow from step 6. It will still look pretty sliced.

What do you need:

• french loaf bread, sliced
• 1 packet sliced ham
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar
• 8 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ cup shredded Cheddar

What to do:

1. Butter an oven proof baking dish. 
2. Place one row of bread slices against the side, upright, so the tops are in line with the dish.
3. Add a slice of ham, again so the top shows.
4. Add another slice of bread. You now have a ham sandwich sanding on its side, upright.
5. Next add cheese and another row of bread. Keep alternating between the ham and cheese until the whole dish is full.
6. Next, in a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk and mustard together. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Pour over the bread and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
8. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Sprinkle with ½ a cup of cheese. Bake until puffed and done in the centre, about 1 hour.

Another option is to add slices tomato with the cheese or replace the ham with the cheese. You can also replace the french loaf with croissants.