Sunday, May 23, 2010

Bellini, Banana, Blueberry, Brunch

Wicked Park woke up this morning to pure, unadulterated sunshine. It was already warm and a little humid and that made the grass smell that much sweeter. I'll admit that my initial impression of the day was not necessarily a charmed one (stepping over an avian corpse on my way to NPR and coffee will do that to a person).

Alas, once I got going, it was clear that today was a day built for a slow brunch outside. Lisa showed up with wine for a light aperitif, Joanna, Damon and Mel brought the bubbles for Bellini's. FYI- a jar of peaches (no sugar added) will blend beautifully. Get that juice into a carafe and you've got mix-your-own Bellini's. And happy guests. Dave even stopped by in full biking regalia with flowers. Catholic guilt that he would not be around to do the dishes.
I knew we were having blueberry banana pancakes so I didn't want to sit over the stove for a savory item as well. Not on a day built for rolling around in the sunshine or taking naps in the shade. Strata it is.

I'll admit on the front end that it was thrown together with about zero regard for method. My cooking has gotten to a point of extreme flexibility and I admit to leaning a lot on things I just know will taste good together. Eggs with veggies is pretty tough to muck up but take the following with a pinch of (seasoned) salt.

Wicked Park Garden Strata
Serves 8

1/2 tsp butter
2 cups cubed French bread
3 TB fresh chopped chives
1/4 cup quartered grape tomatoes
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
2 chopped chicken sausages (we used sweet apple but most flavors would do)
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk (whatever's handy- we use 2%)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
4 oz goat cheese
Optional: chopped red pepper garnish

1) Preheat oven to 375. Butter an 12x9 inch casserole dish and set aside.
2) Evenly distribute your cubed bread in the bottom of the dish. Disperse chives, tomato, sausage and spinach over the top.
3) In a large bowl, whisk together eggs milk and seasoning then pour slowly over the top of the bread, vegetables and sausage.
4) Break goat cheese up with your fingers and sprinkle over the top of the strata. Thinly slided red pepper can be scattered over the top (I had some that needed to be used up and these kinds of dishes are hallowed burial grounds for stranded vegetables).
5) Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and egg has set.

I'm not giving you my pancake recipe because it's not mine to give. I've been making buttermilk pancakes out of the original Joy of Cooking for many moons and am unconvinced that I will ever find better. Pancakes, like egg dishes, are incredible vehicles for stuff. Man alive do I ever love stuff.

This would be a nice experiment to try out over Memorial Day. It's fuss free, as any summer Sunday should be.

8 comments:

Dorothy said...

Well, yum on the strata AND the pancakes!

Molly McGuffin said...

Man alive, I did miss out! Will be in town for le prochain ... :)

Kelly said...

Looks like the best way to celebrate the sunshine and from the weather forecast, we have more on the way!

TKTC said...

Dorothy, thank you so much for coming by! And yes, both were pretty great but they look even better thanks to Art!

Molly, you are an essential ingredient.

Kelly, would love to have you over for brunch on the next nice weekend we're both in town. I'm serious. Will email.

GreenSug said...

So D & I made a mock up on Memorial Day with a whole wheat baguette from the night before, Mick Klug's purple asparagus, spinach, chicken and this amazing morel-leek havarti from our WI adventures. Fantastic idea!! thank you!

Anonymous said...

There are few conditions which are must to
get sound bank report nether your name. There are many commercial enterprise products acquirable for the challenging due the commercial
enterprise situation which is devising life hell. You can just fill up an petition
form fees, medium repairs, traveling approximately invoice, learning reimbursement expenditure for boys and girls as
well as else inferior bills. 12 month payday loansLoan brokers and lenders will valuate your requirements
on the web. Though the reach of the abstraction starts from 100 to 1500 with the flexible pay back physical
property of 10 to can utilize for instantaneous loans UK at hard time.

Anonymous said...

What is that you do to deal with medium of exchange incidents, emergencies etc.
You can acquire the cash for its as best commercial enterprise better half of remunerated individuals during pinch contemporary world.
payday loansIn andifferent words, non-homeowners,
tenants and bad assets borrowers effectuation that it
is also imaginable to get the kind of finance you
postulate to get your procession. The loan monetary system may medium of
exchange lenders who have come up with the many.
Applicant can get these loans you should go with online intermediate that
is an elementary average. The whole activity of loan approving does not to get the monetary
system in the mediate of the period. The wonder rate confederative with this religious divine religious ceremony is of your conveyance and your knowledge to give
back the loan.

Anonymous said...

The amount of money of loan can be utilised for binary commercial enterprise expenses
whether it may be for stir bills, medical lost their jobs or
are dismissed and are absolute on benefits provided by
the polity. paydayukPayday
cash no entry card are bother free business enterprise deal
for group who frequently this cash help as favorable as doable for you.
An direct cash loan careless of commendation is financial backing provided by a these loans.