Bad Weather Brunch

Last night Blue and I were talking about the entertaining that we will no doubt have to do with his new job and I was kind of feeling a bit freaked out till he reminded me of a party I threw in our tiny cottage in WV, 2 years ago. Blue and I have always entertained and I love throwing a seasonal brunch, but before this, I had never had more then 12 guests.

The pics are just a little bit of some of what I did this particular time around. There were 40 people, and due to some nasty winter our brunch under the magnolia tree in the back yard had to be moved inside. At first I panicked, then too, but everything was fine and it was one of the best parties I have ever thrown.

Just thought I would dig up my pics and share them as many of us get ready for some nasty winter weather in April. Yeah... Nasty winter weather...

The beverage table was located in the Parlor with another table full of food. I love serving Mimosas for breakfast and after the party, between what I brought and other showed up with, I counted 53 bottles of champagne, 8 bottles of Grand Marnier, and that did not include the 12 cases of beer that the guys snuck in as well. It was definitly one of those lose one of you shoes kind of parties and it was FUN!

CREAMY BAKED GRITS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Bon Appétit Magazine

2 1/4 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup quick-cooking hominy grits (3 ounces)
3/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup diced drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (2 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (about 4 ounces)
Chopped fresh chives (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Bring broth, 2 tablespoons butter, and garlic to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits and return mixture to boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until grits are thick and almost all broth is absorbed, whisking frequently, about 8 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup cream and simmer 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup cream and simmer until very thick, stirring often, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in tomatoes and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into prepared dish. Sprinkle goat cheese over. Bake until cheese softens, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chives, if desired, and serve immediately.

Makes 6 side-dish servings.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Recipe courtesy of www.epicurious.com

The thick slices of garlicky bread in this dish are known as Texas toast.

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for greasing baking dish
1 (1-lb) package bulk breakfast sausage (not links)
1 (15-inch-long) loaf Italian bread (about 4 inches wide)
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 dozen large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 large bunch scallions, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
1/4 lb sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (1 cup)

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 13- by 9-inch baking dish.

Cook sausage in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently and breaking up any large lumps with a fork, until browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off fat from skillet, then cool sausage to room temperature.

Cut half of loaf into 1-inch-thick slices and reserve remaining half for another use. Pulse butter and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on both sides of each bread slice, arranging bread in 1 layer in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle sausage on top.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until frothy, then whisk in scallions and half of cheese. Pour egg mixture over sausage (bread will float to the top), pushing down on bread with a spatula to help it absorb liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake, covered with a large sheet of buttered foil (buttered side down), 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil and bake until top is slightly puffed and eggs are cooked through in center, about 20 minutes more.

Let stand 10 minutes, then cut into 12 squares.

Cooks' note:
Dish can be assembled (but not baked) 12 hours ahead and chilled, covered with buttered foil. Bake as directed above.

Makes 12 servings (or 8 for cowboys).

BAKED FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE WITH MAPLE SYRUP

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.