Brunching with "Da Bears" !

College football games are history and now it is time for the big boys. The playoffs are in full swing.  Yesterday was day two of the NFL/AFL playoffs. I couldn't wrap my arms around football all day Saturday but Sunday seemed a natural.  Steve's brother, Scott and wife Paula are staying in our little town for a month. It's fun having family around and doing things with them.  Since the brothers are from Chicago and haven't lost their love of the Chicago Bears, as long as they are winning, I hosted brunch by the TV set that any football player would be proud to eat.

Pesto Featherbed Eggs w. Brunch salsa

Shredded potato pancakes and Smoked Salmon on a platter garnished with capers and lemon wedges and yogurt
To accompany that I sliced up tomatoes, avocado and onions

Very Berry fruit compote w. raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, Mexican Papaya, kiwi and Cara Cara orange bits. I tossed it all with 2Tbsp. XXX Sec ( I didn't have any Cointreau)

Chicken breakfast sausages done our favorite way, start browning in a skillet with a little olive oil, add ¼ c. chicken stock and continue to cook until the stock has evaporated, drizzle a little maple syrup over as well as a little water. Pop the skillet into the 350* oven for 10 min.

I chose something I could make the night before and have made a few times before.  It is an adaptation from one of my favorite cookbooks, "The Breakfast Book" by Marion Cunningham a foodie turned author and teacher. I knew her when I lived in San Francisco as we were often at the same events or classes. While taking classes with the late James Beard he suggested that she take on the redo of the "Fanny Farmer Cookbook".  That launched her career in the food world.  She drove a Jaguar and had blonde hair tied up in a bun or twist. Classy lady. The best advice she gave me was "keep drinking wine until they tell you you can't". Advice that I follow to this day!
This little book is a real find and one I use as as much as a reference as for the yummy recipes.
So yesterday I made my version of her           "Featherbed Eggs"
                                                        
I used sourdough and whole wheat dinner rolls that I had to use up.  Cut them in half and brush with melted butter.  Butter the bottom of a rectangle baking dish. Cover the bottom with the buttered rolls. Mix 6 Eggs with 1 Tbsp. pesto, 1 ½ c. milk, ½ tsp. salt and pepper to taste. ( I left it out as my brother in law can’t eat black pepper). Shred 1 ½ c. swiss cheese. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the bread. Pour the egg-milk mixture over all pushing the rolls down so they will soak it up. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day put the casserole in a cold oven and turn it on to 350. Bake 35-40 min. or until puffy and golden. This can sit in a turned off oven for 30 min. Cut into wedges and serve with Brunch Salsa. Even maple syrup would be a good accompaniment.

                                                         
The Bears started out with a touchdown and never stopped. There were huge snowflakes swirling around the field. It reminded me of a game we attended when we lived in Chicago many moons ago. The temps were 25 degrees with 19 degrees wind chill factor.
I’ll take this climate any day. 65, sunny, crisp skies and blue ocean.

The potato pancakes are basic :2 c. shredded potatoes w. ¼ c. cream, salt & Pepper and fried in fat of choice.

My sister in law, Paula brought over a bottle of Perrier Jouet Champagne that Costco had on special. What a treat!