This menu features a cheesy egg casserole, which gets a kick from chorizo sausage and salsa. Reminiscent of pineapple upside down cake, the coffeecake is made festive with bright, tart cranberries. The smoothie, with its plum pudding flavors, is like Christmas in a glass.
The casserole is best made the day before and refrigerated. Then, pop in the oven in the morning. The coffeecake can be made up to three days ahead. Whiz the smoothie up in the blender, and brunch is served.
Plum Pudding Smoothies
Ingredients
4 canned purple plums, pitted
4 large strawberries, hulled
½ ripe peeled banana
½ cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons honey
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
6 to 8 ice cubes
Recipe by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, Relish the Holiday, "Wake Up Call," December 2007.
Southwestern Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
12 ounces dried Spanish chorizo, chopped
2 jalapeño chiles, seeded and chopped
1 cup mild salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dry mustard
12 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts removed
12 ounces Monterey Jack or sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 large eggs
2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2. Combine chorizo, jalapeño, salsa, cumin and mustard.
3. Lay 6 slices of bread in baking pan. Spread chorizo mixture evenly over bread, sprinkle on half of cheese, and top with remaining bread slices.
4. Whisk eggs and milk in a large bowl until smooth. Pour over casserole; top with remaining cheese. Press down with a spatula to soak bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 350F.
6. Bake, uncovered, 45 to 50 minutes, until puffed and brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 8.
Recipe by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, Relish the Holiday, "Wake Up Call," December 2007.
Pineapple Cranberry Coffeecake
Ingredients
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons gold rum
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2⁄3 cup sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2⁄3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 cup chopped fresh cranberries
2. Combine pineapple, brown sugar, rum and cinnamon in pan.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
4. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended, about 5 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat until blended. Stir in cranberries. Pour over pineapple mixture.
5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until lightly brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Serves 8.
Recipe by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, Relish the Holiday, "Wake Up Call," December 2007.
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