Clota’s Mountain Man Breakfast

Virginia Tech football fan Clota Gerhardt of Richmond, Virginia, says that this is a hearty dish for tailgating before a noon kickoff. It keeps Hokie fans stoked for the game. Clota originally got the recipe from an Internet site where Virginia Tech fans post their favorite recipes.

 

SERVES 12

 

1	pound bacon
2	medium-size onions, diced
1½	cups sliced white mushrooms
1	green bell pepper, diced
3	cloves garlic, minced
10	to 12 medium-size potatoes, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick
	Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1	dozen large eggs, beaten
3	cups shredded cheddar cheese
	Bottled picante sauce for garnish

1. Heat a large, cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and fry until brown. Add the onions, mushrooms, green pepper, and garlic, and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
2. Pour the beaten eggs over the mixture. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked and set.
3. Remove from the heat, sprinkle the cheese over the top, cover, and let stand until the cheese melts. Serve hot, topped with picante sauce.

EXTRA POINTS You can prepare the recipe the night before the tailgate, up to the point of adding the eggs in step 2. Put the mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate. For finishing at the tailgate, add the eggs and cook in the Dutch oven, covered, on a hot grill or burner.