Aspas Brauðréttir - Asparagus Casserole

Aspas Brauðréttir

Asparagus Casserole - A family favorite

This casserole includes two things to which I was introduced when I came to Iceland, asparagus and bread casserole.  

There are a lot of different ways to make bread casseroles here. Some of them are hot; some are cold. Some are flat, and some even come in a roll.  Many of them are beautifully decorated with vegetables, seafoods, meats, and sauces. None of them are made for weight loss, but they are all delish!

These are often prepared for a special coffee time with friends or family, or they might be made for a special occasion like a graduation party.  Each person has his (yes, guys cook here, too!) or her own take on these creations. 

One I like to make is the following: 

Ingredients

1/2 pound (or more) raw bacon, cut into small pieces

1 cup sour cream

1 cup cream cheese

1 cup milk

2 cans asparagus, drained

2 cans cream of asparagus soup

2 cups grated gouda cheese

10 slices stiff, day old bread

Directions

Brown bacon in pan. Drain fat. Set aside.

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, soup, and milk in a bowl.

Tear 5 peices of bread into pieces and lay on bottom of casserole dish.

Cover bread pieces with 1/2 each of the soup mixture, asparagus, bacon, and cheese.

Repeat using the rest of the bread pieces and the other half of the ingredients.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until bubbly on the edges.

Notes

• Substitue bacon with chicken, sausage, ham, or shrimp.
• Substitue asparagus and cream of asparagus soup with your favorite vegetable and matching soup flavor.
• Substitue any grated cheese for Gouda.
• These measurements are estimates and can be adjusted to your tastes.
• This is NOT low fat, low carb, low calorie, low sodium, gluten free, dairy free, or any other healthy label.
• But is is yummy.

Patrick and Vicki Weimer in Iceland since 1999