Christmas Countdown - Brunch Edition
On Sundays, we brunch. But on holidays, you can brunch too. Christmas morning isn’t complete without with an impressive brunch spread! This cozy meal can bring comfort before the mayhem and give you a moment to relax over mimosas.
A nontraditional approach this holiday season may be a great fit for you and your guest.
I’ll explore varying dishes that are sure to have you wanting to do this year after year.
Egg Muffins Three Ways
A dish so versatile and full of flavor, this menu option can be made various ways to offer guest plenty of eggxciting options. Wether you’re vegetarian or a meat lover, you’ll be sure to be satisfied.
Mediterranean Mix
What you’ll need:
Cooking spray
6 large eggs, beaten with 3 tbsp. milk
1 cup. Spinach , chopped
1 Onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
5 sun dried Tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Feta cheese
4 tsp. Parsley
Seasoning to taste:
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Pepper
Tony’s
How to:
1) Preheat oven to 350º and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2) In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook onion, bell pepper, and sun dried tomatoes and cook until soft, 5 minutes.
3) Add garlic and spinach and cook until wilted, 2 minutes more.
4) In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, parsley, Tony’s , onion and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper.
5) Fold in cooked vegetable mixture and cheese. Pour mixture into prepared muffin tin. Bake until cooked through and golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
Shrimp & Crab
What you’ll need:
Cooking spray
6 large eggs, beaten with 3 tbsp. milk
1/2 Shrimp, deveined
6 oz. Lump crab meat
2/3 cup smoked gouda, shredded
4 tsp. Parsley
Seasoning to taste:
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Pepper
Tony’s
How to:
1) Preheat oven to 350º and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2) In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook shrimp and crab with onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft, 5 minutes.
3) In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, parsley, Tony’s, onion and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper.
4) Fold in cooked seafood and cheese. Pour mixture into prepared muffin tin. Bake until cooked through and golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
All-American
What you’ll need:
Cooking spray
6 large eggs, beaten with 3 tbsp. milk
4 pieces of Turkey Bacon
8 oz of fresh turkey breakfast sausage
2/3 cup shredded cheese blend
Parsley
Seasoning to taste:
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Pepper
Tony’s
How to:
1) Preheat oven to 350º and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2) In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook turkey bacon until crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble.
3) Add onion, bell pepper, and turkey sausage to skillet and cook until soft, 5 minutes.
4) In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, parsley, Tony’s, onion and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper.
5) Fold in cooked vegetable mixture, meat, and cheese. Pour mixture into prepared muffin tin. Bake until cooked through and golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
Salmon Cakes
This savory dish will be sure to leave you full. A perfect protein for brunch, these simple ingredients make for a great treat.
What you’ll need:
1 can of pink salmon
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 eggs
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups original breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil
Dry seasonings to taste:
Tony’s
Black pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
How to:
1) In a bowl, empty salmon and remove all bones.
2) Add fresh seasonings and dry seasonings.
3) Combine eggs into the mixture and mold patties into small disk.
4) In a separate bowl, lightly coat patty with breadcrumbs
5) Place in oil and fry until golden brown on each side. Allow excess grease to drain and serve.
Strawberry Banana Pancakes
What you’ll need:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup strawberries, sliced lengthwise
2 bananas, sliced lengthwise 2/3 inch thick and cut to fit the pancakes
Confectioners' sugar and pure maple syrup, for serving
Mint (optional) for serving
How to:
1) In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the buttermilk.
2) Quickly stir in the flour mixture, then stir in the melted butter and strawberries.
3) Heat a griddle or a large nonstick skillet over moderately low heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
4) Ladle 1/4 cup of the batter per pancake onto the griddle, leaving room for the pancakes to spread.
5) Gently lay one banana slice in the center of each pancake and cook until bubbles appear on the surface, 3 to 4 minutes.
6) Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the second side, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Generously dust the strawberry-banana pancakes with confectioners' sugar and serve with maple syrup. Garnish with mint and strawberries as desired.
Homefries
This traditional brunch staple is a carb-lovers delight. This simple dish can be made just as fast as they’ll be gone—in minutes! Turn up the heat to the potatoes by adding jalapeños or habanero peppers.
What you’ll need:
2 lbs. of small red potatoes
2 onions, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
Olive Oil
2 jalapeños (optional)
Dry seasonings to taste:
Tony’s
Black pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
How to:
1) In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are starting to soften, about 8 minutes.
2) Drain the potatoes and let cool slightly, then cut them into 1-inch pieces.
3) In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil. Sautee onions and bell peppers.
4) Add the potatoes, cover and cook over moderately low heat until tender (approx.. 10 minutes)
5) Add in garlic and jalapeños (optional) and allow to cook another 10 mins., covered.
6) Uncover and cook over moderately high heat until the potatoes are browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Season to taste and serve.
Very Berry Mimosa
Who doesn’t love a good mimosa while brunching? This twist forgets the OJ and is still berry-delicious!
What you’ll need:
1 (750ml) bottle of Rosé
6 oz. pomegranate liqueur
6 strawberries, sliced
Handful of blueberries
Handful of blackberries, muddled
1 c. cranberry cocktail juice
How to:
1) In a pitcher, combine cranberry cocktail juice, pomegranate liqueur, and muddled blackberries. Stir until blended.
2) Add rosé and top with sliced strawberries and blueberries to serve.