Category: BRUNCH

GERMAN APPLE PANCAKES

GERMAN APPLE PANCAKES Yield: serves 6

adapted from Ruth Reichl’s recipe

Dousing these apple pancakes in rum and setting them on fire IS optional, but it is not recommended to do so. This dramatic step only enhances the flavor of the caramelized apples so fragrant with cinnamon and nutmeg that you can taste the boozy rolled pancakes before you ever even cut into them.

2 Granny Smith or Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored, and THINLY sliced
2 tablespoons FRESH lemon juice, plus more for drizzling – 1 LARGE lemon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
¼ cup PACKED light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
LARGE Pinch of FRESH grated nutmeg
3 LARGE eggs
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon sanding sugar, plus more for sprinkling
Pinch of kosher salt
1 cup WHOLE milk
¼ cup dark rum or cognac (optional)

  • In a medium bowl, add the apples and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, tossing to coat.
  • In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
  • When the foam begins to subside, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Add the apples and cook until darkly caramelized and fragrant, 11–12 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs, then whisk in the flour, granulated sugar, and salt until smooth.
  • Add the milk and continue whisking until a thin, smooth batter forms.
  • In a nonstick 8-inch skillet over medium heat, melt 1 teaspoon butter.
  • When the foam begins to subside, pour in ⅓ cup batter, tilting the skillet to coat the entire surface with batter and form a thin pancake. Cook until just set, about 2 minutes.
  • Evenly distribute one-third of the apples over the pancake, then pour another ⅓ cup batter on top, tilting the skillet to coat the surface and the apples with batter.
  • Cook until the edges of the fresh batter have begun to set, 1–2 minutes, then use two wide, offset spatulas to flip the pancake. Continue cooking until the bottom is evenly golden brown, 1–2 minutes more, then turn out onto a large plate.
  • Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar, then roll the pancake up like a jelly roll.
  • Sprinkle with more granulated sugar, and if desired, drizzle with a few drops of lemon juice.
  • Repeat with the remaining batter and apples to make a total of 3 rolled pancakes.
  • In the skillet used to cook the apples, add the rum and remaining 1 tablespoon butter; warm over medium heat.
  • Add the pancakes, spoon the rum mixture over the top, and remove from the heat.
  • Working quickly and carefully, use a gas lighter or a long match to set the pancakes on fire.
  • Shake the skillet gently until the flame goes out, then transfer the pancakes to a large plate.
  • Serve warm.

APPLE PANCAKE

APPLE PANCAKE adapted from MOLLY YEH
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup 
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1 1/4 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon 
Pinch kosher salt 
1 medium HONEYCRISP or GRANNY SMITH apple, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch (about 1 cup) 
4 LARGE eggs 
2 tablespoons FINE sugar 
1/2 cup buttermilk**
1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla 
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Flaky salt, for finishing 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°.
  • In an 8-inch nonstick skillet (preferably cast iron) over low heat, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and a pinch kosher salt. Whisk together and whisk to combine.
  • Turn the heat up to medium and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Allow to boil vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Carefully add the apple slices and toss until the apples are fully coated in the caramel mixture.
  • Reduce heat to low and allow mixture to bubble for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften and appear translucent.
  • Place the skillet onto a foil, parchment or silpat lined baking sheet to catch any bubbled-over caramel and bake for 5 minutes while you prepare the batter.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until frothy.
  • Whisk in the buttermilk, flour, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the nutmeg to combine until no longer lumpy.
  • Remove the pan from the oven.
  • Carefully pour the batter into the skillet over the apples, swirling around the perimeter and ending in the center. According to Molly beginning on the sides and working inward gives the pancake better structure and will also ensure that the pancake “souffles” evenly.
  • Place pan back into the oven to bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the sides have risen and the edges are dark.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to settle for a minute or two.
  • Carefully invert on a plate.
  • Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve immediately.

**NOTE: Buttermilk can be made by using a combination of whole milk and vinegar.

BARNYARD PIE

This is a wonderful hearty, savory yet tangy breakfast pie.

BARNYARD PIE
1 pie dough – homemade or store bought
4-5 leftover buttermilk biscuits, broken into pieces
1 LARGE bunch green onions, chopped
1/3 cup SMALL chopped red onion
12 ounces bacon, diced and cooked crumbly
6 LARGE eggs, beaten
1 cup half and half
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup FINELY grated pepper jack cheese
3 tablespoons tart cherry or pepper jelly

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Roll pie dough into a large 12-13 inch round.
  • Place pie dough into a 10 inch pie plate, trim and crimp edges.
  • Prick bottom with a fork once or twice.
  • Parbake pie shell 8-10 minutes.
  • Scatter broken biscuit pieces into the bottom of the pie shell.
  • Sprinkle green onions over biscuits followed by the bacon pieces.
  • In a medium mixing bowl cream the cream cheese.
  • Whisk together the eggs, half and half, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper and red pepper flakes.
  • Pour into cream cheese and mix together well.
  • Pour into the pie shell making sure NOT to fill over the bottom of the crimped edge of the pie.
  • Sprinkle with the pepper jack cheese.
  • Microwave the jelly for 30 seconds.
  • Quickly spread the jelly over top, using a spatula to spread evenly.
  • Bake 20 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to 375°.
  • Turn pie pan 180 degrees.
  • Bake another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and egg mixture is set firm.
  • Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

EVERYTHING BAGEL DUTCH BABY

This is a SUPER simple and seriously savory brunch recipe!

EVERYTHING BAGEL DUTCH BABY
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup WHOLE milk
4 LARGE eggs, room temperature
1 + 1/2 tablespoons EVERYTHING Bagel spice mix
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 green onions, sliced thin
Sour cream, for garnish and serving

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Add cast iron skillet to oven to heat.

 

  • In a blender add the flour, milk, eggs and 1/2 tablespoon seasoning.
  • Blend on low until well combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of loose ingredients. Blend again 10 seconds until smooth and foamy.

 

  • Add butter to skillet to melt.
  • When butter is melted add batter to pan and sprinkle with remaining spice mix.
  • Bake 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden brown around the edges.
  • Top with bacon pieces, green onions and a dollop of sour cream.
  • Serve immediately.

BAKED PEANUT BUTTER WAFFLES

BAKED PEANUT BUTTER WAFFLES

¾ cup flour
3 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
3 tablespoon neutral oil
2  LARGE eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
PURE maple syrup

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Brush the Waffle Stick Pan with a neutral oil.

  • Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, vanilla, peanut butter, honey and eggs.
  • Whisk the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients JUST until combined.
  • Distribute the batter evenly among the wells.
  • Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Let the waffle sticks cool for 5 minutes before removing.

OPTIONS:

  • Add 1-2 tablespoons MINI semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Add 2 tablespoons SMALL WILD blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon


SAVORY RUSTIC COUNTRY HAM & CHEESE QUICHE

SAVORY RUSTIC COUNTRY HAM & CHEESE QUICHE
CRUST
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
COLD 1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped thyme leaves
+/- 1/2 cup chilled water
2+ ounces chilled Vodka (see notes)

  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour and salt.
  • Add the COLD butter cubes and using your fingers (my preference) or a pastry cutter work the butter and flour together until you have pea sized pieces.
  • Add the egg yolk and thyme leaves, mixing until combined.
  • Add the water and vodka JUST enough to mix until the dough comes together. If it’s too crumbly add more vodka or cold water 1 teaspoon at a time until dough comes together smoothly.
  • Work dough into an 8 inch disc.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.

QUICHE
1-2 tablespoons Frank’s original hot sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 bunch green onions, minced
1/2 cup small diced red/orange peppers
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 LARGE eggs
1 cup half & half
1/2 teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
1 cup grated Fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated SHARP white cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped country ham

  • Roll out dough to an 11 inch round.
  • Carefully arrange crust in 9 inch pie dish.
  • Brush the bottom of the crust with Frank’s original hot sauce.
  • Chill crust while preparing the filling.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Place a raised wire rack on your baking sheet.
  • Add butter to skillet over medium high heat.
  • When butter is melted add green onions and peppers, season with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, stirring to saute’ 2-3 minutes until softened and golden.
  • Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
  • Place the prepared crust on the wire rack on the baking sheet.
  • Toss together the ham, onions and peppers.
  • Arrange half of the ham mixture evenly in the crust.
  • Sprinkle with half of the cheeses.
  • Arrange remaining ham mixture over cheese layer.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Whisk the egg mixture one last time and evenly pour over into the crust.
  • Bake 30 minutes and then turn tray.
  • Bake another 20 minutes, until egg mixture is completely set and crust is golden brown.
  • Cool at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

 

NOTES:

  • We were out of vodka so I substituted REAL SPICE MOONSHINE and it worked REALLY well! The idea of using the alcohol versus using all water is that the alcohol evaporates during baking leaving you with a flakier, lighter crust.
  • The old recipe I used had you brushing the crust with Dijon mustard, but I only do this if I won’t be eating it due to my being deathly allergic to it, so I brushed the crust with Frank’s original Hot sauce instead and we like it even better!

OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Our family has been making some version of this casserole, each their OWN way, and each called Overnight Breakfast Casserole, for as long as I can remember. Each and every one of those casseroles was excellent on their own merit, but the real plus is that it’s a MAKE AHEAD (anywhere from 3 hours to overnight) casserole and take the stress off of the holiday morning. Just pop it in the oven while you’re watching the kids open their stockings and gifts or if you have guests you don’t have to spend time in the kitchen and away from your togetherness time. Be sure and take the casserole out of the refrigerator at least a half an hour before you put it in the oven so it can come to room temperature.

The other beauty of this recipe is that the innards are up to you – either what you prefer or what you have on hand. It is just a basic strata with eggs, bread chunks and add ins of a protein, veggies and cheese. It is also a GREAT way to use up stale bread. You can use whatever bread you prefer, but we love sourdough ourselves. Some people also prefer to cut the crust off, but we are definitely crust on people.

We also tend to always use the same add-ins where as my niece changes it up EVERY time she makes it, but they always have a protein, veggies and cheese(s). Seasonings are another area that can change this up, but we tend to stay pretty traditional with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper. Occasionally I’ll use tri-color pepper for a hint more heat.

My normal proteins are diced ham and crumbled bacon, but I have been known to use rotisserie chicken also. My traditional veggies are diced red peppers, sliced green onions and thinly sliced mushrooms. Sharp cheddar is our cheese of choice, but we also like shredded Gruyere and/or pepper Jack.

Oh and did I mention that it makes a wonderful leftover dish for a quick lunch over a holiday weekend.

OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE serves 10-12
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
BAKE TIME: 50-60 minutes

12 slices sandwich size bread, flavor of choice, cubed
3/4 cup diced ham steak
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 green onions, THINLY sliced
1/2 red pepper, FINELY diced
4 cups grated cheese, flavor of choice
6 LARGE eggs
3 cups WHOLE milk
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Coleman’s mustard (optional)

  • Preheat the oven to 300°.
  • Cube bread and place on a baking sheet.
  • Add baking sheet to oven for 15 minutes, just long enough to dry out the bread cubes, but not toast them.
  • Whisk together the eggs, milk and seasonings.
  • Spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Layer the bread cubes evenly into the bottom.
  • Even top the bread cubes with half of the proteins, veggies and cheese.
  • Layer again ending with cheese.
  • Pour the egg mixture over top.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight.

NEXT MORNING:

  • Remove baking dish from refrigerator to bring to room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Remove plastic wrap and cover with foil.
  • Bake 50-60 minutes or until center is set when you test with a knife and it comes out clean. If you’re using a deep baking dish or baking multiple pans, you will need to increase the baking time by another 15 minutes.
  • Return to oven for 5 minutes.
  • Serve immediately.

EGGS BENEDICT with LEMONY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Eggs Benedict is one of my all time favorite special breakfasts. I am not a Canadian bacon fan though and much prefer a tavern style ham or better yet leftover Easter ham :D. And the English muffin has to be crispy, but not too crispy so it soaks up the Hollandaise sauce!  This is also a recipe I try to make in conjunction with white cake so nothing goes to waste since one uses egg whites and the other egg yolks.

Eggs Benedict is a multi-taskers recipe and requires more prep work than anything!  Using super FRESH eggs also makes it better!

Despite the name sounding Dutch,  Hollandaise  sauce began in France and was originally known as Sauce Isigny, after a town in Normandy famous for its butter and cream. Hollandaise is one of the five mother sauces in French cuisine. Sauce Isigny is also still listed in French reference books.  Ironically though according to Wikipedia the sauce can actually be traced back to the middle ages crediting it’s origins to 1651 in La Varenne’s Le Cuisinier François for “asparagus with fragrant sauce”.

EGGS BENEDICT with LEMONY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE serves 2

2 English muffins
4 LARGE, FRESH eggs
4 slices tavern ham, warmed

HOLLANDAISE SAUCE
4 tablespoons butter
4 egg yolks
Juice of 1 SMALL lemon – 1 tablespoon TART lemon juice
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon Frank’s original hot sauce
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
  • In a separate small bowl, beat the egg yolks.
  • Mix in lemon juice, whipping cream, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
  • Temper the egg mixture by adding a small spoonful of the hot melted butter to the egg mixture and stirring well. Repeating this process a spoonful at a time to slowly combine without curdling the sauce.
  • Once the butter has been completely incorporated, pour the mixture back into the saucepan, cooking on LOW heat, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.

EGGS

2 tablespoons vinegar – I like to use apple cider vinegar to add a bit of tang to the egg.

  • Fill a medium size pot with about 3 inches of water and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer.
  • Add vinegar (the vinegar helps the egg stay together all in one place)
  • Crack each egg into a separate ramekin.
  • GENTLY pour each egg into the water in separate areas.
  • Cook the egg in simmering water for 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want your egg yolk.
  • GENTLY Remove the poached egg with a slotted spoon.

ASSEMBLY

  • Toast the English muffin and LIGHTLY butter.
  • Top each toasted side with a slice of ham.
  • Top the ham with the poached egg.
  • Top with Hollandaise sauce.
  • Serve and enjoy immediately.

ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES with MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES

ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES with MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES
MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES
4 navel oranges
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup real maple syrup

  • Zest oranges and set aside for the pancakes.
  • Peel oranges making sure to remove pith.
  • Slice each orange into 5-6 slices and place into a microwave safe bowl.
  • Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, sugar and syrup.
  • Pour over orange slices.
  • Microwave 15 seconds before serving.

PANCAKES
1 3/4 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2/3 cup flour
2 LARGE eggs
3-4 (1+1+…) tablespoons butter

  • Whisk together ricotta, sugar, zest, juice, flour and eggs until smooth.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook 3 minutes until bubble form along the edge and
  • batter appears dry. Flip and cook another 3 minutes until golden.
  • Melt 1 additional tablespoon of butter as needed for each batch of pancakes.
  • Serve with butter and orange slices on top of each plate of pancakes.

CINNAMON CRUMB STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE

Years and years ago I made the Bisquick box recipe of Cinnamon Crumb Streusel Coffee Cake and it was always a BIG hit. But as I progressed to scratch cooking it was apparent that my favorite coffeecake recipe had to be revamped! But, it had to remain moist, full of cinnamon flavor, buttery and with a bit of crunch to the top.

CINNAMON CRUMB STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE
CAKE
1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 LARGE egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
3/4 cup WHOLE milk

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Cream together the butter and sugar, scraping down the sides occasionally.
  • Add the vanilla and egg, mix in.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add one half of flour mixture to the mixer, and when mostly combined, add the milk.
  • Once the milk is mostly incorporated, add the rest of the flour. This will be a fairly thick batter.

FILLING
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon QUALITY cinnamon
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup PACKED brown sugar

  • In a small bowl, using 2 forks or a pastry cutter combine everything until soft crumbs form.

TOPPING
5 tablespoon butter, softened
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup PACKED brown sugar
1 tablespoon QUALITY cinnamon

  • In a small bowl, using 2 forks or a pastry cutter combine everything until soft crumbs form.

ASSEMBLY

  • Grease a 9×9 baking pan.
  • “Pour” in ½ of cake batter, and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the filling over top.
  • “Pour” in remaining cake batter, and with an offset spatula spread carefully across the top of the filling.
  • Sprinkle the topping over the top and press lightly so it adheres.
  • If you prefer your streusel to be more distributed, use a knife to create a bit of a swirl throughout the layers.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool slightly on wire rack before serving.

NOTE: My dad always would add a pat of butter to the top and let it melt for a few seconds in the microwave when eating it as a leftover 😀

LEMON BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

LEMON BLUEBERRY PANCAKES
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 1/4 cups WHOLE milk
3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
PURE maple syrup
1/2 cup small wild blueberries

  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice and milk. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • Whisk together the eggs, butter, vanilla and milk mixture until blended.
  • Stir milk mixture into the flour mixture JUST until blended.  Add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time if batter is too thick.
  • Coat griddle with non-stick spray and heat over medium heat.
  • Spoon 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto griddle.
  • Cook 2-3 minutes until bubbles appear along the edges and batter dries on top.
  • Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  • Keep warm in low heat oven between batches.
  • Serve with syrup and berries.

BACON GRUYERE QUICHE

BACON and HAM GRUYERE QUICHE slightly modified from Alex Guarnaschelli’s Quiche Lorraine

DOUGH
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed and chilled, plus more for greasing the pie plate
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
2 LARGE egg yolks 
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Butter a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.
  • Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor to blend.
  • Pulse in the egg yolks and butter. DO NOT OVER MIX
  • Add the ice water through the top and pulse until the dough comes together and forms a loose ball.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
  • Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper.
  • Roll into a round, about 10 inches in diameter.
  • Press the dough gently into the bottom and up and about 1 inch over the sides of the prepared pie plate.
  • Pinch the dough up to create a crimped edge.
  • Place one sheet of parchment over the dough and fill with pie weights.
  • Bake until lightly brown, 16 to 18 minutes.
  • Remove the parchment paper and pie weights and let cool.

CUSTARD
1/4 to 1/2 pound slab bacon, trimmed and cut into “lardons” (1/4-inch-thick by 1-inch-long matchsticks)
1/2 cup SMALL diced ham chunks
1 shallot, sliced thin
cornstarch
4 LARGE eggs 
1 1/2 cups half-and-half 
1/2 cup whole milk 
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
3 dashes hot sauce 
Dash Worcestershire sauce 
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper, to taste
2 cups grated Gruyere or baby Swiss
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
Minced fresh chives, for garnish 

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to drain on paper toweling.
  • Toss shallots in cornstarch as a dredge.
  • Quick fry the shallots in hot oil or butter, set aside to drain on paper toweling.
  • Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, nutmeg, hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the cheeses.
  • Place the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Scatter three-quarters of the bacon, most of the shallots and all the ham chunks over the shell, then pour the custard over the top.
  • Bake until set and brown and bubbly on top, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Garnish with the remaining bacon, shallots and chives.
  • Slice and serve.