Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

I am having my parents and DH's parents over for Christmas Brunch so they can see Andrew try and open some presents. Plus I wanted to start a new tradition.

What should I have?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Brunch is great - because you can serve anything. HEre are some things I do for brunch:

Eggs or Quiche - the quiche is great because you can make it beforehand
bacon/sausage
french toast
potatoes
bagels with all the fixins
muffins
shrimp cocktail
fresh mozz w/ tomatoes
pasta
cakes/cookies

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

I have the best easy brunch recipes....

creme brulee french toast, and two easy egg dishes---all make ahead stuff...
will look it up and post later.

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Mmmm . . . how making Texas Toast or a French Toast casserole!!'

Also, blintzes (Jewish food, but delicious for breakfast), fresh bakes banana bread and fruit! Yummy.

I found this recipe for a French Toast casserole from Paula Dean (I substituted Challah for French Bread . . .it's the only way!)
1 loaf Challah (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Slice Challah bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

We always have kielbasa with our brunches (then again, we are polish...LOL)

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST

Although the Diehls use large slices from a round loaf of bread and remove the crust, we also tried the recipe with a baguette, leaving the crust on, and found it just as delicious. At La Maison, challah is often the bread of choice.

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
an 8- to 9-inch round loaf country-style bread
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth and pour into a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Cut six 1-inch thick slices from center portion of bread, reserving ends for another use, and trim crusts. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
In a bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

Preheat oven to 350° F. and bring bread to room temperature.

Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

Serve hot French toast immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

I use challah bread---I get it 2-3 days ahead of time and slice on cookie sheets and let stale---turn over 1x.

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

SAUSAGE AND EGG CASSEROLE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

A satisfying, easy dish that's also versatile: Accompany with sliced melon and some assorted pastries for brunch, or with a green salad and warm focaccia for dinner.

1 pound Italian sweet sausage, casings removed
1/2 cup chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
5 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 cup half and half
1 cup whipping cream
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sauté sausage in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of fork into small pieces, about 10 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Add sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons parsley; stir 1 minute. Spread sausage mixture in prepared dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Whisk eggs, egg yolks, half and half, whipping cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and salt in large bowl to blend well. Pour egg mixture over sausage mixture in dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons parsley over. Bake until top of casserole is golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

TRUST ME...THIS IS EUPHORIA

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

BAKED EGGS AND MUSHROOMS IN HAM CRISPS

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

3/4 lb mushrooms, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
12 slices Black Forest or Virginia ham (without holes; 10 oz)
12 large eggs
Garnish: fresh tarragon leaves
Accompaniment: buttered brioche or challah toast
Special equipment: a muffin tin with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Prepare mushrooms:
Cook mushrooms and shallot in butter with salt and pepper in a large heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and liquid they give off is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crème fraîche and tarragon.

Assemble and bake:
Fit 1 slice of ham into each of 12 lightly oiled muffin cups (ends will stick up and hang over edges of cups). Divide mushrooms among cups and crack 1 egg into each. Bake in middle of oven until whites are cooked but yolks are still runny, about 15 minutes. Season eggs with salt and pepper and remove (with ham) from muffin cups carefully, using 2 spoons or small spatulas.

Cooks'note:
YOU HAVE TO SEE THE PIC TO APPRECIATE HOW BEAUTIFUL THESE ARE---SEARCH IT ON EPICURIOUS.COM

Message edited 11/19/2006 8:08:19 AM.

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Thank you all so much!! I am so excited

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

i made these a couple of weeks ago and I am planning on making them for christmas

Chicken and Apple Sausage Patties

Makes 16 patties
These savory patties can be made up to a day before cooking and serving.


1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for cooking sausage

1 small onion, finely diced

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 pound ground chicken

1/3 cup fresh sage leaves, shredded

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

3/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of cinnamon

1. Heat oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat, and cook onion until translucent and soft, about 3 minutes. Add apples and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

2. Combine chicken with onion-apple mixture and remaining ingredients, mixing with your hands. Form into 1 1/2-inch-round patties, and chill until ready to use.

3. Preheat oven to 350°. Heat a little oil in a medium ovenproof sauté pan, and brown patties over medium-low heat 2 minutes on each side; transfer pan to oven, and bake until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

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Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

I'm having Christmas brunch too! Crepes are definite must!

Re: Any Christmas Brunch Ideas?

Thank you all so much