Christmas Morning Sausage Breakfast Casserole
This recipe will add so much to your Christmas morning when opening presents and sitting by the fire. Whether you serve it early in the morning or save it for brunch, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
INGREDIENTS:
Casserole:
6 large local eggs
1 ½ cups of heavy cream
1 pound of breakfast sausage
1 cup of shredded Gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, chopped fine
1/3 sweet Texas onion, chopped fine
Cracked salt & pepper to taste
1 store-bought pie crust or homemade (recipe below)
Homemade Pie Crust:
1 ¼ cups of organic all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons organic sugar
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 stick cold butter
4 tablespoons cold ice water
Place all ingredients except butter and water in a food processor and pulse a few times. Next, place the butter in the processor and pulse a few times until clumpy. Slowly add the ice water. Ensure the dough sticks together but not too sticky. Transfer dough onto your work surface and place into a ball. Don’t overwork dough (it shouldn’t be perfect). Cover with plastic and store in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours (the longer the better).
Roll out and place in a 9-inch pie pan. Poke holes at the bottom with a fork.
Heat a medium pan with a few drizzles of olive oil or avocado oil. Next, sauté the onions. Optionally, add a teaspoon of butter for more flavor.
When the onions become translucent, add the ground breakfast sausage. Cook until crumbled and the sausage is cooked through. Add about a teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper to taste. Next, add the rosemary and stir it into the meat and onion mixture.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs several times and then add the heavy cream. The more you whisk, the lighter the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 9-inch pie pan, place crust. Add the sausage, onions and rosemary. Layer the cheese. Then add the egg and heavy cream over the meat.
Bake for 35 minutes.
Cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Christmas Melted Baked Brie Appetizer
This Christmas appetizer has all the melted cheese and holiday feels. We love to pair this with a white wine or champagne. It’s easy to make yet embodies the essence of Christmas. You don't have to be a professional chef to serve this dish.
INGREDIENTS:
1 puff pastry sheet (store bought)
½ cup of homemade cranberry sauce (recipe below)
8-ounce wheel of brie cheese
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ cup melted butter
Homemade Cranberry Sauce:
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice
4 to 5 ounces fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dash of cinnamon
Heat everything for the cranberry sauce (above) in a small pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool before using.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lay puff pastry on a lined baking sheet. Place brie in the center of the pastry. Remove the top of the rind from the brie (you may leave the rind on the bottom). Spread the cranberry sauce on top of the brie. Fold the corners of the puff pastry over the brie. Brush the melted butter mixed with the brown sugar over the top.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until it’s golden brown. Serve with crackers and crusty bread.
Cook with love and eat with joy!
Chef Marissa Fisk of Marissa Fisk Catering
