Who needs Christmas air fresheners when you have aromas of delicious food in the air at Christmastime?  We had a hard time narrowing down to two recipes for this issue as at this time of the year, everything tastes wonderful.  The winners are:

Gingerbread Boys

2 1/2 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Dark Molasses
1/4 Cup Water
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Soda
3/4 Teaspoon Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/8 Teaspoon Allspice

Cream shortening and sugar.  Blend in molasses, water, flour, soda, salt, and spices.  Cover.  Chill for 2 to 3 hours.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured board.  Cut with gingerbread boy cutter.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet.  Decorate with raisins, cherries, citron, licorice, and icing.

For a variety, decorate upside down to resemble reindeer, using legs for antlers and arms for ears!

Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

1 Pound Sausage
6 Eggs
2 Slices Bread, Cut Into 1/2″ Cubes
2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
1 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Crumble sausage in skillet.  Cook and drain.  Spread bread cubes in buttered 8 x 12 x 2 baking dish.  Top with sausage and cheese.  Beat eggs, milk, and seasonings.  Pour over cheese.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

On Christmas morning, bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.  Yields 6 to 8 servings.

Cooking with the Horse & Buggy People is available at the Amish Store on Highway 1 in Mansura.   Avoyelles Parish cookbooks compiled by several organizations are available for sale in the gift shop located at ACT, 8592 Highway 1, Suite 3 in Mansura.  We ship books for cost of book plus $5.00 for postage and handling.  Call (800) 833-4195 or email [email protected] for details.