Whelen Lights

Interior Pkg

Traditions Of Easter And Bread

When immigrants from the four corners of Europe came to America, they brought a variety of traditional Easter bread recipes. Now chocolate Easter bunnies, yellow marshmallow chicks and jelly beans signify the holiday but at one time families served Easter breads, which are rich in symbolism and history.

Father Dominic Garramone, a Catholic priest, cookbook author and host of the TV show "Breaking Bread with Father Dominic," would like to ensure that Easter bread traditions are not forgotten. "Bread for Easter is one way of bringing some tradition and meaning back to the holiday," he says. Here are two of his tried-and-true brunch recipes:

French Toast

Custard Casseroles

For each casserole, you will need:

1 egg

2 Tbs. whole or reduced-fat milk

2 thick or 3 medium slices of day-old bread (store- bought bread works well)

2 Tbs. chopped pecans

1/3 cup maple-flavored syrup

1 Tbs. butter

1 small ovenproof bowl, about 5" across and 2" deep (a small soup bowl with a handle works well.)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly coat the interior of the ovenproof bowl with cooking spray or butter. Trim bread slices to a shape and size that will fit the bowl. In another larger bowl, whisk egg and milk, then place bread slices in egg mixture until liquid is absorbed. Combine nuts and syrup in the bottom of the ovenproof bowl, and dot the surface with the butter.

Place the soaked bread slices on top-they should not reach past the lip of the bowl. Place bowl on a baking sheet to prevent drips, and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until top is lightly browned and center is firm. Remove from oven and allow to set for about 10 minutes. Invert bowl onto a plate, remove bowl and serve.

Ham and Cheese Braid

1 pkg. active dry yeast

11/4 cups warm milk (100° to 110° F)

1 Tbs. sugar

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

11/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

3 to 31/2 cups all-purpose flour

11/2 cups ham, coarsely chopped

11/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

1 egg white, beaten with 1 Tbs. water

Put warm milk into a medium-size bowl. Add yeast, stir to dissolve. Add sugar, egg, salt and oil. Add 3 cups of flour and beat well. Work in enough of remaining flour to form a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes. Rinse and dry the bowl, then oil the surface of the dough and place in the bowl. Cover with a clean, dry dish towel, and let rise in a warm place free from drafts for about one hour, or until doubled in volume.

Mix ham, cheese, and nuts (if desired) in medium-size bowl. Roll out dough 10" x 18". Spread filling lengthwise in the center third of the dough; press filling together slightly. Using a sharp knife, cut each outer third of the dough (the part not covered by filling) into 5 to 7 diagonal strips, cutting from the edge of the dough to about 1" from the edge of the filling. Brush the strips lightly with water. Fold the dough strips over the filling, alternating left and right, being careful not to stretch the dough. Tuck in the ends of the last strips to seal. Carefully transfer loaf to a lightly greased nonstick 9" x 13" cake pan. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Brush the surface of the dough with the egg white wash. Bake at 400° in a preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the temperature of the filling is about 160°.

About the Author

To read about cheese allergy and cheese storage, visit the Cheese Facts site.

BEGINNGS OF INTERIOR ENVIRO&STDNT PACKT PKG $83.2 No Synopsis Available

BEGINNING INTERIOR ENVIRON&DESIGN GRAPH PKG $118.37 No Synopsis Available

INTERIOR DESIGN INT 410 PKG WESTWOOD $102.77 No Synopsis Available

Autocad 2007 Interior Design&Prs&Auto1Yr Pkg $176.34 No Synopsis Available

Std Acc Pkg A $34.99 STD ACC PKG A

Agc-15 Pkg. Of - Fuse $2.06 [AGC-15 PKG. OF] UPC: 86609530

Dice Confetti 3/4 Oz Pkg $1.99 Assorted 1 oz. pkg.

Tape,Pkg Sealing,1.5"X60yd $14.99 TAPE,PKG SEALING,1.5"X60YD

Interior $39.99 Interior

CABLE TIEDOWN 8 PKG 100 $24.99 CABLE TIEDOWN 8" PKG 100

KNIFE, FIRE STARTER, CLAM PKG $11.99 KNIFE, FIRE STARTER, CLAM PKG

KNIFE, OBSIDIAN, SERRATED, CLAM PKG $28.99 KNIFE, OBSIDIAN, SERRATED, CLAM PKG

Knife, Hindered Cls, Box Pkg $60.99 KNIFE, HINDERER CLS, BOX PKG

Writ Surf Acc Pkg B $25.99 WRIT SURF ACC PKG B

Gia (DVD/Rated/Re-Pkg) $12.3 Gia (Dvd/Rated/Re-Pkg)

Motorola / ES400 TETHER PKG 5 / KT-133855-01R $25.96 Motorola - ES400 TETHER PKG 5 - KT-133855-01R

Midland / WRAP AROUND HEADSETS PKG / AVPH4 $34.39 Midland - WRAP AROUND HEADSETS PKG - AVPH4

Belkin / SCREWS 12/24 PKG 50 / RK5028 $25.78 Belkin - SCREWS 12/24 PKG 50 - RK5028

Gerber / SPADE, FOLDING, SERRATED, BOX PKG, / 30-000075 $49.41 Gerber - SPADE, FOLDING, SERRATED, BOX PKG, - 30-000075

Gerber / KNIFE, HINDERER CLS, BOX PKG / 22-01870 $61.38 Gerber - KNIFE, HINDERER CLS, BOX PKG - 22-01870

Hal Leonard Solos For Kids Book/CD Pkg $17.96 Hal Leonard Solos For Kids Book/CD Pkg

Hal Leonard Solos For Kids Book/Cd Pkg $17.96 Hal Leonard Solos For Kids Book/CD Pkg

Alcatel 7750 Impedance Panels (5 Pkg) 3HE04148AA $354.55 Alcatel 7750 Impedance Panels (5 Pkg) 3HE04148AA

Knife, Covert Fast, Se, Box Pkg $52.99 KNIFE, COVERT FAST, SE, BOX PKG

Bodyguardz Bb 8330 Film Retail Pkg $17.99 BODYGUARDZ BB 8330 FILM RETAIL PKG

Masterkey Securicbl Lock-Poly Bags No Retail Pkg $33.99 MASTERKEY SECURICBL LOCK-POLY BAGS NO RETAIL PKG

Knife, Eab Pocket Knife, Clam Pkg $9.99 KNIFE, EAB POCKET KNIFE, CLAM PKG

Knife, Obsidian F/E, Box Pkg $28.99 KNIFE, OBSIDIAN F/E, BOX PKG

Knife, Mini Covert Fast, Se, Box Pkg $40.99 KNIFE, MINI COVERT FAST, SE, BOX PKG

Scooby-Doo Episodics 3 (DVD/3pk/New Pkg) $80.28 Scooby-Doo Episodics 3 (Dvd/3Pk/New Pkg)

Scooby-Doo Episodics 2 (DVD/3pk/New Pkg) $95.15 Scooby-Doo Episodics 2(Dvd/3Pk/New Pkg)