Breads & Brunches, Easter Recipes
Southwest Breakfast Strudel
This makes 2 strudels about the length of a loaf of bread. I fed 6 adults and there were a couple of pieces left. (each package of frozen puff pastry has 2 in it) I would make 3 (one and a half times the recipe) for 8 people and 4 (2 times the recipe) for 10 to 12. If you are serving some other things you could cut it in thin wedges. Makes a great presentation. Allow to cool 5 minutes before cutting.
Remove the puff pastry from the freezer. Remove all wrappings. Separate the 2 sheets and lay side by side on floured counter. (don’t unfold yet). Thaw for about 20 minutes then gently unfold. Allow to thaw 10 more minutes. (I got up early and went and set these out and then went back to bed!!!!!!)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Saute in 2 Tbs olive oil about 10 minutes.
1 cup frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
Add to potatoes and cook for 3 more minutes.
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup poblano chile, seeded, diced (could use jalapeno for just a little more heat, not seeds, or you could use a small can a mild, diced green chiles.)
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Whisk together and cook just until eggs are set. Stir very gently. Then fold into potato mixture.
11 eggs
2 Tbsp minced fresh chives
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper (or to taste)
Brown one roll Jimmy Dean’s Original Pork Sausage. Add to egg mixture.
Remove from heat and stir in
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp orange juice
Place in the fridge to cool while you are preparing the dough. You can make the filling the day before.
Prepare and Fill:
On a well floured surface roll the thawed puff pastry sheets to about 10 X 12 rectangle. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer to 2 separate pieces of parchment paper. With the short side toward you, cut off top corners and notch the bottom to create an end flap, repeat with other pastry sheet.
Divide egg mixture in half and place down the middle of each pastry sheet. Fold up the end flaps. Cut the sides of the dough into strips up to the filling, then lay the strip up and over the egg mixture rotating from side to side to form a braid. Don’t stress too much over this. You are going to put cheese on top and it will look beautiful no matter how you do it.
Lift paper and strudel onto baking sheet. If you have only one oven, it is easier if you put them both on the same baking sheet. Just put them side by side each on their own parchment and then cut away the extra paper.
Brush with one egg beaten with 1Tbsp water. Sprinkle with Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then slice in 3 inch slices.
I purchased salsa, or pico would be good. But if you want to make your own, here is the recipe.
Salsa
Combine:
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
2 t. fresh lime juice
1/2 jalapeno, seeded, minced.
pinch each of ground cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper
Serve in a small bowl along side the strudel. Beautiful!!!!
You can do it. Below are some tips for easier morning prep. I really don’t like to get up and cook in the morning. So here are a couple of things to do to make it easier when you are in a morning fog.
Early morning tips:
Get up a few minutes early and set out the puff pastry. Go back to bed or grab a cup of coffee and go read your Bible. A great way to start the day, especially Christmas morning.
Make the potato and vegetable mixture the day before. Refrigerate over night. Then just whisk the eggs and add to it that morning. Quick and easy.
For the fruit salad. Make the syrup the day before. Only takes minutes to cut up the fruit that morning. Cut the bananas and apples first, pour the chilled syrup over them, toss, then put the pineapple on top and the oranges and cranberries and Cilantro.(the cilantro sounds weird, but it really makes this unusual and very delicious). Don’t stir until ready to serve. Will keep the bananas and apples form turning brown.
Serve with Banana Crunch Coffee Cake. My family’s all time favorite. Make ahead and freeze. Don’t broil the top until the morning you are eating it. Set the cake out the night before. In the morning broil the top and they will think you go up really early and they will have warm coffee cake. Or
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake also freezes very well. And Brunch Punch. You’re all set for a wonderful Christmas morning brunch.
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| Pretend there are cherries or cranberries in there. |
Spicy Winter Fruit Salad
Simmer:
In a small sauce pan on top of the stove, simmer
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 jalapeno, seeded, chopped (wear gloves and don’t touch your eyes! The pepper itself is not that hot but the seeds are killer.)
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
Place in a container, cover and chill, overnight, or at least until room temp.
Chop: (serves 6-8 people, add to the fruit for more people, do not need to double the syrup)
2 apples (Granny Smith or my new favorite is Honey Crisp)
1 fresh pineapple, cored (or use one large can pineapple chunks)
2 bananas
2 oranges, peeled and segmented then cut segments in to 3rds (or one large can mandarin oranges)
1/2 cup dried cranberries or fresh bing cherries
1/3 cup shopped fresh cilantro
Cut up the bananas and apples first and place in the bottom of the bowl, pour chilled syrup over them and toss, then add the pineapple and the rest of the fruit. Do not stir until ready to serve to keep the bananas and apples from turning brown. Garnish with the cranberries and cilantro.
Very good and unusual.
Dudelicious!!!!!!
Have a blessed Christmas and a happy year!
Remember the reason we celebrate. Our Lord and Savior was born on Christmas morning!
Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on earth, good will to men.
