We have two bakery thrift stores in our county - Flowers and Merita. I much prefer the Merita Thrift Store because it's closer to my home and because I think the prices are better. Although the... More

We have two bakery thrift stores in our county - Flowers and Merita. I much prefer the Merita Thrift Store because it's closer to my home and because I think the prices are better. Although the everyday prices for Wal*Mart's Great Value white and wheat bread are better than I can find at either bakery thrift store, I can sometimes find specialty breads at the Merita thrift store marked down to what I consider a reasonable price. They sell packaged cookies, chips and drinks at prices I think are very high. I hear women in some of my Yahoo groups talk about bakery thrift stores where they can buy bread marked down to 10 loaves for $1 and stuff like that. There isn't anywhere in Highlands County that I can find those kinds of prices. The best deal I've ever bought at either of our two bakery outlets was two-packs of Twinkies that were marked down to 12/$1. Of course, they were at or nearing their expiration date, but I stuck them in the freezer and they were fine. Located just outside the city limits on the north side of County Road 64 (Main Street), the store is open from 9:30 until 5 Monday through Friday and from 8:30 until 4 on Saturday. They're closed on Sunday. They accept cash, checks and debit cards. Strata is a great dish to make for a brunch and/or a crowd. If I want to make some but don't have any day-old bread on hand, I go to the bakery thrift store. Although they don't put it out on the shelves, they usually have some in the back. Day-old white bread is one thing I can buy less expensively at the outlet store than I can buy a loaf of white bread at Wal*Mart. Here's a delicious strata recipe you might enjoy. One of my sisters-in-law made this recipe for my family the morning of my wedding. My family all came in from out of town and met at my mom's house for breakfast that day. She chose it because she quickly prepared several pans the night before and just popped them into the oven that morning. Cheese and Sausage Strata 6 slices white bread 1 lb. cooked meat (ham, sausage or bacon) 1 lb. grated cheddar cheese 6 eggs, beaten 3 cups milk 1 teaspoon dry mustard Salt and pepper to taste Butter Butter a 9 x 13 inch pan. Line bottom with bread. Layer cheese and meat ending with meat on top. Mix eggs with mustard, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over other ingredients. Cover with foil and refrigerate up to 48 hours. Bake uncovered 45 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees.
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