Brunch Special:Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary and Hash Brown Casserole

     Recently I have had some serious cravings for a Bloody Mary.  This has been an acquired taste for me but I have now fallen in love with the tomato-y, spiciness that this brunch in a glass has to offer.  I have found some amazing Bloody Mary's in Jacksonville at BlackFinn (especially the Bacon Mary...OMG!) and Black Sheep.  Both are reasonably priced and very tasty!  I recommend both and all!
     While I love a good brunch and drink out on the weekends, it can get a little expensive.  This time, we decided to try brunch at home!  On the menu, hash brown casserole and (of course) Bloody Mary's.  I was actually a little nervous about the drink mixing.  I'm not really one for intricate and fancy mixed drinks, but after some research I tried it out.  Now, the Bloody Mary is in the recipe wheelhouse for weekend brunch (and "hair of the dog" hangovers).  Oh!  And the casserole was amazing too!

Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary
Ingredients:
Absolut Peppar (If you use unflavored vodka, you'll need 1/2 teaspoon of prepared horseradish)
Bloody Mary mix
Lemon juice
Cajun seasoning
Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce
Garnish - green olives, bacon, lemon/lime wedge, celery stalk, pickle spear, etc.

Directions:
Fill your drinking glass with ice cubes.  In a mixing glass (I use the trusty solo cup!), start with about a tablespoon of lemon juice, 4-5 shakes each of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, and a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.  If you're using unflavored vodka, add your prepared horseradish here.  If you're using the Peppar, it can get pretty spicy!  We leave the horseradish out.

Add the vodka.  I fill about 3/4 of the cup.  Then, add the mix to the top.  Make sure your stir completely!  Pour this over the ice cubes.  I usually have leftovers and just top my glass off as I drink it down.  Garnish with your choice of toppings!  Bottoms up!

***Bacon tip!!!  Cook your bacon in the oven!  Lay the strips out in an even layer onto a foil-lined cookie sheet.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Drain excess grease on a paper towel-lined plate.  Perfect every time!  And you won't have to fight the grease pops!

Hash Brown Casserole (original recipe found at jensfunlittlethings.blogspot.com)

Ingredients:

2 cups of frozen shredded hash browns, thawed

2 tablespoons butter, melted

4 whole eggs, beaten

1/4 cup half and half

3 strips cooked bacon, diced

1 cup of diced vegetables (I used black olives, baby spinach, tomatoes, onion)

Shredded cheddar cheese

Hot sauce

Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  In an un-greased square baking dish, combine butter and hash browns.  Press down and up the sides to form a crust layer.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until hash browns are golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool.

Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.  Pour into the hash brown crust.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the eggs have set.  Top with bacon and shredded cheese before serving.  Amazingly delicious!