Holiday Brunch Ideas

Celebrate the holidays with friends and family with these yummy dishes that can be prepared the day before. 

Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole 
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/12/holiday-brunch.html

Tex-Mex Brunch Cups 
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/06/weekend-round-up-part-one_25.html

Overnight Bacon Breakfast Pie  
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-brunch-from-seasonal-plate.html

Wild Rice Ham Tart 
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2013/06/brunch-food.html

Asparagus, Bacon and Roasted Red Peppers with Swiss Cheese Strata

Cook's Notes: Fresh asparagus combined with bacon and roasted red peppers mixed with tart Swiss cheese make this a real crowd pleaser. It's an easy make ahead egg breakfast dish. 

Use a dense firm bread e.g. French or sourdough. Recipe adapted from BHG  and serves 8-10.

Ingredients:  

• 10 strips of bacon, crisp cooked, drained and chopped 
• 1 cup sweet onions, diced
• 2-1/2 cups diced asparagus, cut in 2 inch lengths 
• 1 cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained, chopped and patted dry on a paper towel 
• 8-10 cups torn bread cubes 
• 3 cups shredded Swiss Cheese
• 8 large eggs
• 3 cups milk (I used 2%)
• 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. each Italian seasoning and parsley flakes

Directions:

• Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. 
• Fry bacon and last few minutes add in chopped onions. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. 
• In a medium bowl combine bacon, onions, asparagus, and red peppers.
• Place half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the bacon mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread cubes, bacon mixture, and cheese.
• In a blender beat eggs with milk, mustard, spices, salt, and cayenne pepper. Carefully pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture in dish. Using the back of a spoon, gently press down on layers to moisten all of the bread. Cover dish with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or overnight. 
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until puffed, golden, and set. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
  

A cherry red Cadillac marked with a Santa plate in a Faribault Walmart parking lot inspired Audrey from https://mnprairieroots.com/ to interview Dave Kelly, a professional Santa since 2010. 

I thought it was a fun posting to learn about the life of a Santa. Check out her posting
https://mnprairieroots.com/2017/12/11/up-close-with-santa-his-santa-mobile-in-southern-minnesota/ All photos were taken by Audrey Kletscher Helbling.