Tipton County Tribune from Tipton, Indiana • 4

KunnTiTiiHTmji ii ti fig If fciqfTjng 'ip'nii W5Ia ft I PAGE 4 The Tipton County Tribune Monday, December 17, 2007 Go ahead, sleep in: Breakfast is almost ready As with the strata, for French toast, soak the slices very well, then layer them with the ingredients in a buttered shallow baking dish the night before. Slices of cream cheese, bits of cooked bacon or even good quality preserves can make tasty fillings. Pour any remaining custard over the top. Ccwer tightly and let it all soak in. Both dishes should bake at 325 for about an hour, or until a knife inserted at the center comes out dean.

When serving the French toast, try one of Degnan's favorite tricks: dried fruit compote full of cranber-sprinkle the top with', superfinq ries, cherries and apricots, spiked with a little dnnamon, star anise and Armagnac to make it "just a sugar and use a cook's torch to create a crunchy creme bailee McLean pairs her oatmeal with a Students of the Month Students of the Month at the Tipton Middle School for October are, with Principal Shayne Clark, from left, Emily Mahaney, grade 6, Alex Cox, grade 7, and Evan Tansy, grade 8. BA Hihtzel photo Dear Abby By MICHELE KAYAL For The Associated Press It's Christmas morning and your family's got one thing on their minds presents. But all that tearing and mayhem is bound to make people hungry. So rather than tear yourself away from the fun to create an elaborate breakfast, rely on some easy make-ahead dishes that can be assembled the night before and popped in the oven when you turn on the coffee maker. "You dont want to be in the kitchen when your family is opening presents in the morning, or if you have a long day of people coming in and out of your house," says Peter Degnan, culinary director for Williams-Sonoma.

"You want something really quick and easy, but it also has to be really good and something special." Here are a few ideas for egg dishes, yeast breads and even hot cereals so good and fuss-free your family and friends will think they've been left by food savvy elves. Strata and French toast Think of these custard-soaked bread dishes as cousins, one savory, one sweet. For strata, start with a good baguette or Italian peasant loaf. The night before, saturate the slices with a milk-and-egg mixture, then layer them with your favorite ingredients (all meat should be fully cooked) in a buttered baking dish. For a basic formula, try a standard baguette, a half-dozen eggs and 1 cup of milk.

Atotal of 3 or 4 cups of ingredients can be scattered between the layers. Pour any remaining custard over the top. Ham, bacon, sausage, cheese, spinach, broccoli and other omelet staples make perfect fillings. Try pairing cooked Italian sausage with thinly sliced apples and Grana Padano cheese for a hearty, salty-sweet sensation. For Janis McLean, executive chef at the Morrison-Clark Historic Hotel and Restaurant in Washington, a Christmas morning strata is part of the family tradition and she loads it up with intense ingredients, such as wild mushrooms, sauteed chard, smoky bacon and caramelized onions.

For the family sweet tooths, nothing beats a creamy French toast. McLean starts with slices of egg bread, such as challah or brioche, and uses heavy cream in the custard with a touch of orange zest, vanilla and salt. effed. Viola. Very French.

Very toasty. Quiche and other eggy breakfast pies i There are as many egg pies aS there are holiday traditions. And like strata, all of them accommodate your family's favorite flavors and fillings. Among the easiest is quiche, a simple pie crust (use a purchased one for ease) filled with a mixture of eggs, milk and your favorite ingredients. Quiche can be cooked the night before and warmed up while the festivities get going.

If quiche seems too pedestrian, Degnan recommends sformatino, Italy's answer to souffle. Made by combining a bechamel base with eggs and flavorings, sformatino can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning. Degnan suggests coating buttered ramekins with finely grated cheese or fresh, herbed bread crumbs. "Its a less fussy soufffo," Degnan says, suggesting flavorings from mild cheese to roasted peppers or nettles. Or go with a frittata Spain's open-face, baked omelet which can be made the night before and served warmed or at room temperature in the morning.

McLean's favorite make-ahead egg dish? Crispy baked eggs. Line the bottom of well buttered ramekins with sausage grits and tiny bit adult" The compote can be made a week iq advance. If you really tfant to go over the to Degnan says get the torch out 'again: top a -casserole dish of cooked oatmeal with bananas and superfine sugar and torch the top for that bailee effect. Breads and pastries Cinnamonl rolls, sticky buns, even brioche do their last rise in the refrigerator overnight and emerge from the oven on Christmas morning soft and warm. If you prefer scones or biscuits, McLean suggests making them up to a week ahead find freeing them.

Roll out and cut the dclugh, then freeze them on a cookie sheet until they're hard, and, pop them, into a zip-dose They go straight from the freezer into the oven Christmas morning. "It's a restaurant trick, "McLean Says. We serve scones and biscuits hot and fresh from the oven every day, but we make them 200 at a time. They work beautifully that way." Of course, if you have a bread machine, you can use the timer and awaken to a fresh, hot loaf. Casseroles All hail the slow cooker.

Throw just about anything in and watch breakfast happen. The Internet is full of tasty recipes that suggest layering frozeyi Wash browns with place in the refrigerator Overnight. 1 qookfedj meat such as In the morning, crack an egg into harri; Sausage oft bacon, and, of each one, add a tablespoon of cream and some shredded cheese and bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes. "It's really easy-peasey," she says. Oatmeal course, beaten eggs.

Set on low overnight, the cooker will yield a fluffy breakfast casserole ready for morning. Or use the same approach in a buttered casserole dish. Assemble treated with kindness? Your Inability to accept Daisy may be due to the fact that she's living, breathing proof that Paul was once In love with another woman. (Is It possible she resembles her mother?) Counseling might help you resolve this. Another source I recommend is a Web site, www.steptogether.org.

Please don't wait too long to see what it has to offer. DEAR ABBY: My 14-year-old daughter's best friend's mother died suddenly. She was 43. I am 44. 1 know everyone grieves differently, but my question is, why am I crying every time I think about it? I knew the woman who passed away, but we weren't close friends.

I just knew her as my daughter's friend's mom. I could understand it if we had been close. Please help me figure this out. CRYING IN THE EAST but also how much the mother will have missed. And by the way, those are valid reasons to shed tears.

Doing so shows that you have a tender, caring heart. DEAR ABBY: My best friend and I have known each other since we were very young. There's one big difference between us. Her family has a lot of money mine doesn't. Chnstmas is fast approaching, and I still have no idea what to get her.

What do you give the girt who has everything and still stay within a tight budget? Please help me. I hate to once again give a cheap gift to such a close friend. POOR IN NEW JERSEY DEAR A meaningful gift does not have to be something expensive. It's one that was selected with some thought behind it Because you don't have much to spend, consider making your friend a gift While it will not be expensive, it will be a kind. Or give her something she can "fill" herself, like a frame or a diary.

Thick, creamy, h)f fakiJifJllfiX the ingredients and refrigerate nothing says comfort like great oat- overnight. Bake at 375 for about meal on a cold morning. Start with 30 to 45 minutes Christmas mom-steel cut oats for maximum flavor ing. DEAR CRYING: Gladly. First of all, tragedy has hit close to home.

You may be crying because theVman died so young. acontempg rary, and you identify with her. Also, because your daughters are close, you can see firsthand how much not only the motherless daughter will miss during these Important years in her life, one of picture Abigail as founded Phillips. 69440, and texture (the rolled kind will turn to mush). Cook them overnight on low in a slow cooker, or for even better texture, pour boiling water over the oats and let them soak overnight.

A quick stir over heat in the morning will make them ready to eat. Either way, have lots of luxurious garnishes on hand: warm, vanilla-laced heavy cream, pure maple syrup, gourmet honey, lots of fruits and nuts, and (for a unique holiday kick) really good egg nog. Apple Strata third of the bread over the fillings, then top with the remaining sausage, apples and cup cheese. Top with remaining tread. Pour any remaining custard over the top.

Sprinkle with the remaining 12 cup of cheesei Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 325 F. Bake uncovered for 1 to 1 12 hours, or until a knife inserted, in the Renter out (Rqcipe adqfrted from Better Homes Gardens'ilew V' Ministerial Association at Jlpton Hospital board room Noon Tipton Senior Center, lunch for senior citizens Noon Tipton Rotary King i js 2 p.m Afrfoimer support group at Tipton County Public Ubrary Recipe for Savory Sausage Legend lives on million record debut 3 crisp, sweet apples, cored and sliced into very thin rounds 2 12 cups grated Grana Padano cheese Lightly butter a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and nutmeg. Soak each slice of bread in the custard until fully saturated.

Arrange a third of the slices in the prepared baking dish. Top the bread with half of the sausage, half of the apples, and 1 cup of the cheese. Layer another Its a girl! DEAR ABBY: I have been dating "Paul" for two years. I have two children (6 and 4). whom Paul has loved and accepted since day one.

His patience and affection for them never cease to amaze me. Paul has a 5-year-old daughter, Daisy," from a previous marriage who spends every other weekend with us. I'm having a hard time accepting her place in our lives. I want to be happy and welcome Daisy, but I am growing more angry and resentful by the day. I'm not a mean person.

I love children, so why do I resent her so? This may sound ternble, but I just want a life with my kids and the man I love no strings attached. Paul cant exclude Daisy from his life, and I wouldnt dream of asking him to. I hate to end a beautiful relationship, but I dont know what else to do. We've already postponed our wedding. With a huge issue like this hanging over us, we know we cant be mar-ned until we figure this out.

Help! -ALICIA IN ATLANTA DEAR AUCIA: If you want to marif Paul, you will have to fully acceftt that they're a package deal jYou do not have to "love" his daughter, but you WILL have to respect her feelings. Imagine yourself in her position, coming to visit your household two weekends a month. Wouldn't you want to be welcomed and Smiths with $76.5 By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) For the last man on Earth, Will Smith sure has a lot of friends. The Warner Bros, tale "I Am Legend," starring Smith as a plague survivor who may be the last living human, debuted with $76.5 million, the biggest December opening ever and a personal best for one of Hollywood's top box-office champs, according to studio estimates Sunday. "It's no wonder Will Smith feels so lonely.

Everyone else on Earth is in the movie theater," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. The 20th Century Fox family flick "Alvin and the Chipmunks," starring Jason Lee in a big-screen take on the cartoon critters, opened a strong No. 2 with $45 million. The two films combined to give Hollywood a year-end surge after a drowsy fall season. Forty-five million acorns," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president for distribution at 20th Century Fox.

"Chipmunks are diurnal animals and they do hibernate, but not right now." Overall business soared, with the top 12 movies taking in $1 53.6 million, up 39 percent from the same weekend a year earlier, when Smith also was No. 1 with a $26.5 million debut for "The Pursuit of Happyness." The previous No. 1 movie, New Line Cinema's fantasy "The Golden Compass," nose-dived in its second weekend, coming in third with $9 million, down a dismal 65 percent from its less-than-expected $25.8 million debut a week earlier. I i i I Abby is written by Van Buren, also known Jeanne Phillips, and was by her mother, Pauline Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box Los Angeles, CA 90069.

comedy or musical and an acting honor for Ellen Page, grossed $1 .44 million in 40 theaters for a $36,018 average. "Atonement" and "Juno" expand into nationwide release over the next three weekends. Another Golden Globe nominee, the Paramount Classics-DreamWorks foreign-language contender "The Kite Runner," debuted strongly with $450,970 in 35 theaters for a $12,885 average. Spanning the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to modern times, the film follows an emigrant to America who returns home to rescue the son of a childhood friend. Francis Ford Coppola's first film in 10 years, "Youth Without Youth" from Sony Pictures Classics, had a so-so debut of $27,81 5 in six theaters, averaging $4,636.

The film stars Tim Roth as an elderly language scholar whose youth is restored by a lightning strike. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released today. 1 "I Am Legend," $76.5 million.

-2. "Alvin and the Chipmunks," $45 million. 3. "The Golden Compass," $9 million. 4.

"Enchanted," $6 million. 5. "No Country for Old Men," $3 million. 6. "The Perfect Holiday," $2.97 million.

7. "Fred Claus," $2.3 million. 8. "This Christmas," $2.3 million. 9.

"Atonement," $1 .85 million. 1 0. "August Rush," $1 .8 million. Get a jump on a-holiday breakfast with this simple, savory strata that can be prepared the night before and baked in the oven when you wake up. Start to finish: 9 12 hours (20 minutes active) Servings: 6 to 8 6 eggs, beaten 2 cups milk 14 teaspoon nutmeg 8-ounce loaf Italian peasant bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices 3 cups fully cooked, finely chopped spicy Italian sausage Menu Tipton Senior Center menu for Dec.

18-21: Tuesday BBQ pork, baked beans, cauliflower, fruit salad, bun Wednesday Oven-friend chicken, red potatoes, com, applesauce, roll Thursday Sausage patty, potato triangles, fruit salad, banana, biscuit Friday Ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato patty, Jello poke cake, roll For Dec. 24-28: Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday Turkey Manhattan, mashed potatoes, beets, fruit Jello, white bread Thursday Cheesy potatoes with ham, carrots, applesauce, cookie, oatmeal bread Friday Cheeseburger, tossed salad, peas, apricots Time place MONDAY-DEC. 17 4:45 p.m. Weight Watchers at C.W. Mount community building.

Weigh-in is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. followed by a meeting 6 p.m. -Tipton County Shares at Tipton American Legion 6.30 p.m. Bingo at the Tpton Moose Lodge, earty bird at 6 p.m. "The Golden Compass," which cost $180 million to produce, has done $90 million so far overseas but has proven a dud domestically with just $41 million.

On the other hand, "I Am Legend" smashed Smith's personal debut record, easily exceeding the $52.1 million opening weekends of Robot" and "Men in Black II," his previous bests. "I Am Legend" outdid the $72.6 million premiere of 2003's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the previous best December opening. "It's nice to be in the Will Smith business," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "He is just the No. 1 box-office star in the world today." Based on the Richard Matheson novel filmed twice before as Vincent Price's "The Last Man on Earth" and Charlton Heston's "The Omega Man," "I Am Legend" casts Smith as a scientist trying to find a cure and fighting off the vestiges of human-, people transformed by the plague into vampire-like creatures.

Two Golden Globe nominees just hitting theaters did well in their second weekends. Focus Features' "Atonement" a tragic romance that led the Globes with seven nominations, including best drama and acting honors for Keira Knightley and James McAvoy pulled in $1 .85 million in 117 theaters. That gave "Atonement" a strong average of $15,835 a theater, compared to $21,224 in 3,606 cinemas for "I Am Legend." Fox Searchlight's "Juno," a teen-pregnancy comedy whose three nominations included best Bobby and Heather Delagrange of Westfield announce the birth of a daughter at 12:21 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2007 at Clarian North Medical Center in Carmel.

She was named: Sydney Alice Delagrange She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 22 inchesin length. She is welcomed home by a brother, Zachary, 2 12. Grandparents are Kurt and Judy Gremel of Tipton and Bob and Marilyn Delagrange: of Carmel. Great-grandmother is fruth'Wien Ti Lafayette. 0 www.elwoodpublishing.com 7 p.m.

Brain iqjury support group at Howard Regional Health System west campus in cafeteria 7 p.m. Right to Ufa of Tipton County at Ash Street Wesleyan Church fellowship center TUESDAY-DEC. 18 9:30 a.m. Tipton County fcJjMtliJfc aoli.