Splendid Delights to Sink Your Teeth Into

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

It's Not Breakfast, It's Not Lunch, It's Brunch!



Relaxing weekends, great friends and family, delicious food
HEAVENLY!

Eggs in Puff Pastry
Little filled treats!

1 package frozen puff pastry, THAWED (leave overnight in fridge)
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated-plus more for topping
3 eggs
1-cup cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Dash cayenne
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 medium onion or 2 shallots, peeled and diced (1/4 inch)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (1/4 inch) save the other half for potatoes
6-7 slices smoky bacon, slice into 1/2 inch pieces (this is done by stacking and slicing all together) It will seperate with the heat in your skillet as you begin to stir it.
10-Asparagus spears, use tips and tender tops cut into 1/2 inch pieces. 
YOU CAN USE WHATEVER VEGETABLES AND MEATS YOU PREFER. CANADIAN BACON, SAUSAGE, ARTICHOKES, MUSHROOM, PLAIN, ETC. You are in the drivers seat.

To Begin:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
Prep  12-cup regular muffin pan by spraying it with vegetable spray. 

In a large skillet cook bacon.When the bacon is almost done add the onion, bell pepper and asparagus. Cook until all the vegetables are cooked, but still colorful. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Set aside to drain on paper towel.

In a medium bowl, beat eggs with  a whisk, add milk, cream, flour, salt, pepper and cayenne. When combined, add Parmesan cheese.

You are now ready to roll out the puff pastry. Grab your rolling pin and lightly flour a countertop or pastry board. Remove one of the puff pastry sheets and lay it on the floured surface. Lightly dust the top of the pastry too before you roll it (just a little) into a square. If you use Trader Joe's puff pastry, it is in a square ready to go. Now cut dough in 1/2 and then each 1/2 into 1/2 again. You will have 4 equal squares. Repeat with the other sheet of pastry. (you will have 8 squares total) Ease each piece of pastry into the prepared muffin tin. Don't poke or it may tear, just lift by the corners and ease it in. Let the edges hang over for now. 

Next, fill each muffin space with a heaping spoonful of the bacon/vegetable mixture. Add 1/4 cup shredded cheese and pour the egg mixture over the top of each. Bring the pastry corners to the center and pinch. Brush tops with some of the egg filling and generously sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining squares.  Any leftover filling can be baked in custard cups. 

Bake in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. 
Serves 6. Serve with O'Brien Potatoes

O'Brien Potatoes (we have an O'Brien in our family)

2 pounds white rose, red or Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and each pierced with a knife.
1 medium onion or 2 shallots, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 inch
salt, pepper to taste
Dash cayenne
2-4 Tablespoons Canola oil
2 Tablespoons butter
2-3 Tablespoons chopped parsley

To begin:
Place potatoes in a microwave oven and cook 3 minutes. Stop, turn the potatoes over and continue for 3 more minutes. Larger potatoes may take 10+ minutes. Remove potatoes as they  
become tender when pressed upon. Don't overcook!

Meanwhile, heat saute pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add onions and cook until they are soft and caramelized. Press the oil from the onions as you remove them to drain on a paper towel. Add bell peppers to saute pan and cook until they are soft, remove and add to onions. 

Cut softened potatoes into bite size pieces. Place more oil and butter in saute pan. Add potatoes. Place a lid on top and cook until all the surfaces are toasty and golden, turning every few minutes. Season with salt and pepper and dash cayenne. (At this point you can make this dish ahead) When ready to serve warm the potatoes, stir in the onion and bell pepper. Top with parsley and serve. Enjoy!

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, " What's the first thing you say to yourself?" " What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?" I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today? said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said." A.Milne, "The House at Pooh Corner"




3 comments:

Beckwith Road said...

Yummy!

Elizabeth said...

This sounds utterly divine. I am going to work on spreading this blog around ladies. Truly fabulous.

Beckwith Road said...

This is just the sort of recipe that makes brunch fun!