Category: Breakfast

Breakfast · Egg based

Pakistani scrambled eggs

Belinda

So lovely to kick your breakfast/brunch up a notch or three!

Serves 4 to 6

8 eggs
2 tbsp ghee (if you don’t have ghee, use butter, but it’s not as good)
4 tbsp whole milk
8 scallions, finely chopped
3/4 tsp salt
2 fresh green or red chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1/3 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 ripe tomato, diced
1/2 tsp ground cumin (I use roasted)
sprigs of cilantro leaves for garnish
wedges of tomato for garnish

Beat the eggs until well mixed, add the milk, salt and pepper.
Heat the ghee  in a large, heavy frying pan and cook the scallions, chiles and ginger until soft.
Add the turmeric, cilantro leaves and tomato and fry for a minute or two longer then stir in the egg mixture and ground cumin.
Cook over low heat, stirring and lifting the eggs as they begin to set on the base of the pan.
Mix and cook until the eggs are of a creamy consistency – they should not be cooked until dry.
Turn on to a serving platter and garnish with tomato wedges and cilantro sprigs

Breakfast · Egg based · Gluten Free · Meat

Egg and chile chorizo with pork sauce

Belinda

A light brunch or lunch with a difference!  (Serves 4)

4 large organic eggs, at room temperature
1 lb ground pork
6 oz chorizo, diced small
2 tbsp Chinese chile oil
4 slices bacon, cut to the same size as the chorizo
3 sticks celery, diced small
3 shallots, sliced small
4 carrots, diced
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
a good handful of fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped  (coriander)
500 mls (16.9 fl oz) good chicken stock
oil for frying

To a hot skillet, add a couple of tbsp of oil and saute the celery, shallots and carrots over a low heat for 10 minutes until starting to soften.
Add the diced bacon and ground pork and cook, stirring, until the ground pork is browned.
Add the garlic and chile oil for a final minute.
Add the chicken stock, raise the heat until it is bubbling, and reduce the heat until low.
Leave to cook slowly while you prepare the eggs.

Take a smaller skillet and add water to about halfway up. Heat to simmering and turn down to very low.
Add the 4 eggs slowly and poach very gently until the white is just done and no more as they will keep cooking.

Serve the egg on tops of the pork with some scattered cilantro (coriander) over the dish.

 
 
 
 

Appetizers · Asian flavors · Breakfast · Do-ahead · Egg based

California breakfast sushi roll

Belinda

This tickled me, as it’s a breakfast sushi roll and really works. It’s simple and a bit different.

Yields 2 servings

4 eggs, divided
6 tbsp milk, divided
4 tbsp grated Jack cheese, divided
cooking spray
2 flour tortillas
4 strips crisp bacon
1/2 large avocado, sliced
1/2 large tomato, sliced

For the spicy sour cream

2 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 tsp milk

Coat a medium skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium high heat.
In a small bowl, whisk 2 eggs and 3 tbsp milk until incorporated. Pour into the hot skillet.
Sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated cheese and cook without stirring for 3 to 5 minutes until the top is no longer wet. You may need to turn the heat down so the bottom doesn’t burn.

Place the tortilla over the egg and gently flip them out onto a cutting board.
Place 2 strips of bacon on the bottom 1/4 of the tortilla (closest to you)
Top with half of the sliced avocado and tomato. Roll up as tightly and gently as you can.
Allow to rest for a minute then slice with a sharp knife into sushi rolls.
Repeat the process with the remaining eggs, cheese etc.

In a small bowl mix together the sour cream, hot sauce and milk. Drizzle over the sushi rolls and serve immediately

 

Breakfast · Do-ahead · Egg based · Meat

Pancetta and Gruyere cheese breakfast casserole

Belinda

I have a weakness for these “cold weather” Sunday family breakfasts! They are so comforting and tasty especially with our fire on in the kitchen, steaming hot coffee, laptops and newspapers strewn around.
This is great because you can prepare it the night before, refrigerate and throw in the oven when you get up in the morning. The family will awaken to the smell of baking cheese and pancetta!!
It’s important to mark a weekend with something different!

Serves 4 to 6

4 cups day-old egg enriched bread, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2lb thickly sliced pancetta, diced
6 large eggs
1&1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder (I use Colmans)
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 heaped cup freshly grated gruyere cheese (about 6 ounces)

Grease an 8 inch square baking dish and spread the cubed bread in the bottom.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium to low heat.
Add the onions, salt and sugar.
Saute until they are lightly caramelized, a golden brown color, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in another heavy skillet, heat the other tbsp olive oil over medium heat saute the pancetta until the fat is almost all rendered and it begins to get crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set on a paper towel to drain.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, dry mustard, thyme and nutmeg.
Season with about 1/4 tsp of the salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
Spread the pancetta over the bread cubes then layer the onions on top.
Sprinkle the grated gruyere cheese on next then pour the egg mixture over the entire thing.
Press down on the top gently so that all the bread cubes get soaked a bit with the egg mixture.
Cover and refrigerate overnight

In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 F and take the casserole out of the fridge while the oven is preheating.
Bake, uncovered for 30 to 50 minutes or until the edges are bubbling and the top begins to brown.

NB – The baking time will be greatly dependent on the depth of the dish you use.
Check the interior with a knife. if it comes out clean, the bread/custard is baked through.
Cover with foil near the end of cooking is the top is brown enough for your taste.

Breakfast · Do-ahead

Overnight blueberry french toast

Belinda

This is well worth doing and make sure you start the night before. It’s worth it!
From the blogger, “One Perfect Bite” and adapted from a Patricia Wells recipe

Serves 8 to 10

Casserole

1 (1lb) loaf day-old blueberry streusel bread, cut into1 inch cubes, or make up the Betty Crocker or Marie Callender’s blueberry muffin mix the day before.
1 8oz package cream cheese, cut into half inch cubes
1-1/4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided use
12 extra large eggs,organic preferably
2 cups light cream or half and half (cream is best!)
1/3 cup maple syrup

Sauce

1 cup sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup water
1 cup blueberries
1 tbsp butter

Directions

Grease a 9x13x2 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with half of the cubed bread.
Dot the cubes of bread with small evenly placed pieces of the cream cheese.
Sprinkle with 1 cup of blueberries.
Cover with remaining bread cubes.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, add the half and half/cream and maple syrup and mix well.
Pour over the bread mixture.
Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the reserved 1/4 cup of blueberries.
Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight.
Remove from the fridge 30 mins before baking.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 30 to 50 minutes or until puffy and golden brown before baking and the center is set.

To make the syrup;

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add water and bring to the boil over medium heat.
Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in the blueberries; reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the berries have burst.
Stir in the butter.  Serve over the French toast.

Makes 1-3/4 cups sauce

Cut casserole into desired portions. Transfer to plates for serving. Lightly drizzle each serving with about 1 tbsp of the sauce. Pass remaining sauce at the table
Enjoy!!

 

Breakfast · Do-ahead · Egg based · Meat

Breakfast Strata

Belinda

Another gorgeous and easy breakfast/brunch dish.

Serves 4 to 6 people

6 slices of a good dense Italian loaf cut 3/4 inch thick
1lb Sweet (or spicy) Italian sausage meat
1 tsp Dijon mustard (or less of English Colmans if you can take the heat)
1 heaped cup grated or shredded strong cheddar cheese. it’s always better if you buy it whole and mature then do it yourself
4 extra large (or large)  eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup half and half
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
dash of freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp Worcester sauce

Trim the crusts from the bread and fit it all into the bottom of a  10 by 16 inch baking pan.
Brown the sausage meat, using a fork and press down forcing the lumps to disappear until it’s crumbly and drain off any excess fat. Stir the mustard into the sausage meat.
Spoon the cooked sausage meat evenly over the bread and sprinkle evenly with the grated cheese.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl (eggs, milk, half and half, salt, pepper, nutmeg and Worcester sauce) then pour the mixture over the cheese and sausage mixture.
Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes until hot, bubbly and set.
Note
 This can be made the day before and kept in the refrigerator. Allow extra time for bakiong if it’s been refrigerated

Breakfast · Do-ahead · Egg based · Gluten Free · Meat

Bacon, potato and egg breakfast casserole

Belinda

Serves 6 as a main course

4 thick slices of bacon, cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, cleaned out and diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp salt, divided
8 extra large eggs
1 large cup milk, preferably whole
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 cus frozen diced potatoes, unthawed

Heat the oven to 350F

Lightly grease a 13 by 9 inch baking with oil.

Put the bacon slices in a large skillet and turn the heat on to medium. Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally until crisp. Add the onion, yellow bell pepper, sun dried tomatoes and 1 tsp of salt and cook over medium heat  until all the vegetables are fragrant and soft- about 5 more minutes.
Turn off the heat and let cool slightly.

In a separate bowl beat the eggs thoroughly and whisk in the milk. Whisk in the remaining tsp of salt and the black pepper.
Stir in the cheese, frozen potatoes, bacon and vegetables from the skillet. (Don’t worry, the frozen potatoes cook just fine)

Pour the whole mixture into the prepared baking dish. At this point the casserole can be covered and refrigerated for 24 hours, this saving you oodles of time when entertaining for brunch!

When you are ready to bake the dish, bake for 40 minutes or until the eggs are firm and the top is sightly golden. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.

Serve immediately with fruit, rolls or toast.

Note,

This recipe calls for frozen potatoes for convenience and it really works. It’s not worth the bother of pre- cooking potatoes.

Breakfast · Do-ahead · Egg based · Meat

Breakfast casserole with pancetta and cinnamon ricotta

Belinda

Absolutely delicious and indulgent!
Serves 4 -6 people

1/4 lb pancetta, diced
1 small ciabatta loaf, thinly sliced
1/2 lb ricotta cheese
1 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence,
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
5 extra large eggs
1/2 cup half and half
2 tbsp turbinado sugar

Butter an 8 by 8 casserole dish and set aside.
Heat a saute pan over medium heat and cook pancetta 5 – 6 minutes until cooked through. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Fold together the ricotta, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, vanilla essence and dark brown sugar. In a separate bowl whisk together the 5 eggs, half and half and t tsp cinnamon.
Place a layer of ciabatta in the prepared pan. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture over the bread.
Sprinkle cooled pancetta over the top.
Layer the remaining bread slices over the top. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the remaining bread, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Remove the casserole from the fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Preheat the oven to 350 F and bake for 40 minutes or until the custard is set.
Serve warm!