Southern Byways

Breakfast isn’t taken lightly at the Inn on Charlotte in St. Augustine, Fla.  No, at this bed and breakfast, owner Lynne Fairfield understands the importance of the first meal of the day. She knows that it should be enjoyed and savored. Therefore, she prepares her signature breakfast casseroles carefully the night before.

“It makes the mornings less hectic.”

She admits that she has quite few different casseroles that she creates for guests. Some of them include an egg and bacon souffle that’s served in individual souffle cups.

“I serve it over hash browns and it makes a really nice dish, especially on cold mornings.”

She also has a cheddar and sausage casserole, which, she comments, you can taste the Granny Smith apple and sage flavors. If that doesn’t get your mouth watering, there’s always the breakfast enchilada that includes half and half, eggs, ham and little green onion, salsa and sour cream.

Some of the recipes were found, while other are family recipes that were modified for the inn by adding certain ingredients.

“People like comfort food,” comments Fairfield. “With the breakfast casseroles, I try to find something that’s familiar, yet little different, that gets you going for the day.”

Perhaps you have an idea for a breakfast casserole - you know something you created or maybe something that’s been handed down through the years. Well, the Inn on Charlotte is hosting a Penny Pincher Casserole contest. Recipes are being accepted until June 2009. The postmarked deadline is June 15.

“We did a coffee cake recipe contest, and not only was it successful, but we had so much fun with it,” says Fairfield. “I’m always on the look out for great casserole recipes.”

The concept behind this type of casserole is that it should “tastes like a million bucks, but cost nothing to make.”

The rules of the contest are simple and the entry form is online. You need to include ingredients, baking instructions, cost of casserole and number of people it serves.

“I judge the recipes on presentation as well as readily available ingredients. I want it to taste flavorful, but not too far other there,” says Fairfield.

“The casserole should be easy and uncomplicated to make. A cost effective casserole is all the better.”

And if you have the winning recipe? Not only will it be incorporate into the inn’s menu, you’ll also receive a two-night stay at the inn,  lunch for two at Bistro de Leon and treats from Claude’s Chocolates.

photo credits: All photos are courtesy of Inn on Charlotte in St. Augustine, Fla.