10 slices of white bread
8 eggs
1 1/ 2 cups milk
1 1/ 2 cups half and half
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

1. Cut crusts off the bread and discard. (Keeping bread crusts is optional.) Cube bread.
2. Combine cooled melted butter, eggs, milk, half and half, salt and pepper.
Beat for 1 minute.
3. In an ungreased 10 x 10 casserole dish, layer cubed bread then grated cheddar cheese. Repeat
with cheese layer on top. Pour egg mixture over top over bread cheese mixture.
Cover with saran wrap.
4. Refrigerate overnight or a few hours.
5. When ready to bake, oven to 350 degrees. Bake for uncovered for 1 hour.
6. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
7. ENJOY! – Brunch or Lunch, you will love this soufflé a whole bunch!

How is a cheese soufflé like a great friend? Well, you can depend on them, they look good, they’re never boring, and they always manage to make a great impression!

Speaking of friends, Maura and I have been tight since we were 3 years old and she moved into the house next door to mine in Queens. Opposites most definitely attracted in our case….I’m a brown-eyed blond and she’s a blue-eyed brunette. She’s a bit reserved and I’m a social freak. Raviolis and meatballs were on our table on Sunday, while a roasted leg of lamb adorned hers. We both had one sibling, an older brother. I was a mischievous child, Maura was an angel. She’s a little bit country, and I’m a little bit rock and roll. Well, you get the picture! My family loved her. My dad even had a nickname for her, Maura Dora, because she was so adorable.

Fast forward several years and both of us married. She lived in Jersey and I in New York. Phone bills were steep – no cell phones or Internet back in the day, but we didn’t let that stop us. My husband would complain about the $35 dollar per month phone bills to Jersey. I told him that it was Maura or a $50 per hour shrink – which would he prefer?

Maura was my first friend in a life filled of many friends. I learned early on that women need women in their lives. If we are not lucky enough to have a sister then we have to go out and get our own sister friends. I value each and every one. A great friend is a great gift. A gift that keeps giving a lifetime!
Another gift is this cheese soufflé – it’s a great dish to serve for breakfast or lunch, perhaps to that wonderful sister friend of yours? Just prepare it the night before, place in the fridge, and bake the next morning. I serve this as often as I can and it’s always a big hit. Who knows? You may make many more friends when you put this delightful dish on your table!