Cheese fondue for a crowd

2 cans cheddar cheese soup
8 oz blocks cream cheese
8 oz swiss cheese, shredded
12 - 14 oz cheddar cheese
6 - 8 dashes nutmeg
3 shakes garlic powder
3 shakes of onion powder or to taste
chicken broth as needed to thin - about 1/3 cup to start with and a little more it gets too thick

cook over low heat till all is melted and stirred together. transfer to fondue pot if you have one.

For dippers: grape tomatoes, celery, broccoli and cauliflower (cooked in the microwave 2-4 minutes to remove a bit of the crunchiness), two kinds of artisan bread ( rosemary and plain french), granny smith apples, beef little smokies, Italian meatballs.

Feeds 14 - 22

Served at Maria's farewell party!

Fruit Dip

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened to room temp
1 small carton Cool Whip (extra creamy is nice)

Whip cream cheese till fluffy, then add can of milk. beat well. stir in Cool Whip.
Tastes great on watermelon and all kinds of fruit.

Breakfast Casserole

1 or 3/4 lb. ham (I use about 1 1/2 cups) Hormel Cure 81 has the best flavor
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 slices bread, cut up (I usually use about 5-6 slices)
1-1 3/4 cup cheese, grated

Cut up bits of ham and bread. Put into 9x13 inch pan, bread first. Layer ham over bread. Top with cheese. Pour mixture of beaten eggs, milk and mustard over all. Chill overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, uncovered.

To make a larger, fuller pan: Use 7 eggs, 7 slices of bread if you use fluffy bread (cheap variety), a little more cheese, and 1/3 cup more milk. Bake a few minutes longer, till it doesn't jiggle in the middle and is puffy.

This is our traditional Christmas morning breakfast with cinnamon rolls!