Savory Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Savory Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

5 cups (1-inch) cubes sourdough or white bread

1/2 pound loose breakfast sausage, cooked (about 1 cup cooked)

1 cup spinach leaves

8 eggs

2 cups milk

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried sage

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Method

Layer bread, sausage and spinach in an 8-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, garlic, salt, pepper and sage then pour over contents in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover dish and bake until cooked through and golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. Set aside to let rest for 10 minutes then serve.

Cinnamon Sweet Rolls with Dates and Walnuts

Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

Ingredients

Dough

3/4 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)

3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided

1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast

1 teaspoon fine salt

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 to 2 tablespoons honey

Filling

3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup finely chopped pitted dates

Method
Put milk and butter into a small pot and bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Transfer milk mixture to a large bowl and set aside until just lukewarm. Meanwhile, combine warm water, 2 teaspoons of the sugar and yeast in a small bowl and set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes. Whisk remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, egg and yeast mixture into milk mixture, then stir in flours until well combined. Using well-floured hands, form dough into a ball and transfer to a greased bowl. Cover bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Roll out dough on a heavily floured surface to form a 10- x 16-inch rectangle. For the filling, gently spread butter over dough. Sprinkle all over with sugar and cinnamon then scatter walnuts and dates over the top. Starting with the long side, roll dough snugly into a cylinder. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut dough crosswise into 12 slices. Arrange slices in a greased 10- x 15-inch baking dish, cover and chill overnight. Set dish aside at room temperature until rolls are puffed, about 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls until golden brown and cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Set rolls aside for 10 minutes, then drizzle with honey and serve.

Dark Chocolate Brownies

Dark Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

Butter and flour for pan preparation

6 ounces 70% bittersweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour

Method

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 9 x 9-inch baking pan. Set aside. In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla and let cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on medium high speed until thick and creamy, and sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Gently stir in melted chocolate. Stir salt into flour and fold gently into chocolate mixture. Do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread to smooth. Bake 20 minutes, then cover with foil. Bake additional 8 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 1 inch from the center comes out clean.

While the brownies are baking, prepare the frosting. Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder. Mix until well blended. Add warm water and vanilla and whisk in confectioner's sugar, a little at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable, but not too thick.

Remove brownies from oven and let cool slightly in pan. Spread frosting over warm brownies for a hot fudge sauce effect or spread on cooled brownies and refrigerate until firm for brownies that will be served later or packed for travel. Cut into 12 pieces.

Banana Apricot Muffins

Banana Apricot Muffins

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1/4 cup honey 2 eggs, beaten

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed with a fork

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups almond flour

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

3/4 cup chopped dried apricots

Method

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or butter the muffin tin thoroughly. Mix butter, honey, eggs and bananas together in a large bowl. Stir in baking soda and salt. Stir in almond flour, walnuts and apricots until just combined. Spoon batter into the muffin cups. Bake 25 to 35 minutes, until the muffins are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

Choco Walnut Tart

Choco Walnut Tart

Ingredient

Dark Couverture 60g,

2 Eggs,

Walnut 100g,

Butter 30g,

Maple sirup 80g

Belgium Waffle

Belgium Waffle

Ingredient

Flour 80g,

Strong Flour 20g,

Salt 1g,

Milk 50g,

Butter30g,

Yeast 2g,

Sugar 30g,

1 Egg