breakfast bake

This breakfast dish is perfect to make for a big group!  You prepare it the night before, so  in the morning all you have to do is fire up the oven and let it bake away while you get to hang out with your friends.  Every year we have a little PT family reunion and we spend the weekend playing games, doing winter activities, and drinking lots of beers!  The breakfast bake has been loved by all and we make it every time.  

Sorry there is no photo...every time I make it I have good intentions of taking a photo but we are so hungry by the time it's baked I serve it up and then realize I haven't taken a photo!

what you need:
*serves 8

• one loaf of multigrain bakery bread (day old best - it will have more texture, plus it's usually 50% off!)
• 10 eggs
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 medium red onion
• 1 red pepper
• 1 orange pepper
• 3 italian sausages
• asiago cheese
• your favourite hot sauce or srriracha *optional
• salt and pepper
• cooking oil

what to do:

the night before...

1. Butter a baking dish (9"x13").  Be sure to grease it well to ensure easy clean up after! Or you can line it with parchment paper.  
2. Cut or tear bread into large bite size chunks.
3. Cut onions and peppers into large bite size chunks.  Cut sausage into bite size pieces.
4. In a non-stick pan, heat up oil on medium.  Add sausage and sautee until golden brown on the outside (doesn't have to be fully cooked yet) - remove and then in the same pan, sautee vegetables for a few minutes, until onions are softened.
5. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until slightly frothy (2-5 minutes).  Add milk and add desired amount of hot sauce (I used 2 tbsp) - season eggs with some salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Whisk again to mix well.
6. Add sausage, vegetables, and bread pieces to egg mixture.  Toss to mix everything, then pour into buttered baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.

the morning....

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.  
2. Grate asiago cheese (about 1 cup) and sprinkle over top of the breakfast bake.  Cover with aluminum foil (tent it so it doesn't stick to the cheese).
3. Bake for about 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 375 F and bake for another 15 minutes.  Remove the foil carefully, then broil for the last minute to brown the cheese on top.
4. Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.  Enjoy!!

mini omelette tartlets

these are perfect for a brunch party

Over the weekend I was in Toronto for my friend Abby's bridal shower and I volunteered myself to be in charge of the brunch menu.  I was a little nervous but everything came together really nicely and all of us bridesmaids really made a great team.  Everyone had a great time, and left with full bellies.  The first recipe I'd like to post is my version of an individual mini omelette - super easy to make and equally easy to eat with your fingers!

what you need:
*makes 12

• 1 package puff pastry
• 10 eggs
• 1/2 small broccoli crown
• 1/2 red pepper
• 6 pieces prosciutto
• 1 green onion
• 1/2 cup shredded old cheddar
• salt & pepper

what to do:

*Preheat oven to 375 F.

1. Dice broccoli into small bits and blanch quickly in boiling water for about 1 minute.
2. Dice red pepper, green onion, and shred cheese.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs and then add a pinch of salt and pepper.  Add the cooked broccoli, diced pepper and green onion, mix well.
4. On a floured surface, roll out puff pastry and cut into 12 even squares (or rectangles, doesn't have to be perfect).  Use the squares of puff pastry as lining for the muffin tin and push pastry down so that it fits into the muffin tin.  Extra pastry over flowing the muffin tin is okay, it looks rustic and will puff up.
5. Fill the pastry filled muffin tins with the egg mixture - do not overfill or the eggs will ooze out in the oven.  Top with some shredded cheese and 1/2 a slice of prosciutto - stand the prosciutto atop in a random, ribbon like pattern.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until pastry turns golden brown and the egg is cooked (clean toothpick).  Garnish with thinly sliced green onions.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Enjoy!

ready to bake!