Cheese Charlotte

Serves 8

This is such an easy as a breeze to fix dish and it’ll make your house smell divine. For house guests or a brunch, it’s another overnight dish that will help you, the hostess, relax and be able to enjoy your company. The real charlotte I believe was the one you probably know— that of the elegant French desert made with a mold of ladyfingers, Bavarian cream, etc.  However, Charlotte is supposed to be just another way of saying in the old Chaucer (1300’s) English “charlyt” which means a dish of custard. I liberally take it to mean a dish that has a somewhat custard consistency which the bread herewith may sort of give to this dish.  No matter what, it’s one that my guests at my past bed and breakfast always enjoyed and I think that you will too. It also is versatile in that you can be imaginative and substitute some of the ingredients for others so as to result in different flavors.

Ingredients:

8 Slices of White Sourdough Bread

1/2 Cube Butter— Melted

1/2 C. Dry White Wine or Dry Vermouth

1/2 Lb. Grated Cheddar Cheese (or Jack or a combo of both if you prefer)

2 C. Milk

4 Slightly Beaten Eggs

1 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

½ Tsp. Horseradish Mustard

A Sprinkle of Fine Herb Seasonings

Bacon Bits, Ham Bits, chopped sautéed veggies, mushrooms, whatever you wish

Instructions:

1. Non-stick spray a 10” or a bit smaller round Pyrex dish or some pretty baking dish that you have about that size.

2. Brush melted butter on the bread slices and cut into small cubes.

3. Put half of the bread cubes in the dish.

4. Put half of the cheese on the first layer of bread cubes and sprinkle with half of the wine.

5. Put the other half of the bread cubes on top the bottom layer and finish with the second half of the cheese and wine.

6. Mix rest of the ingredients and pour over all.

7. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour at least or at the most 24 hours.

8. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes or until puffy and brown.

(I usually let the dish warm up a bit after the refrigeration and before putting in

     the oven. )  

 Are you a frustrated, overworked or timid cook? Call Margot for help @ 721-3551

& please feel free to email her @ TempInnKeeper@mindspring.com or to visit her blog for more recipes including these: http://blog.TempInnKeeper.com

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.