Breakfast for Two

Enjoy an at-home escape with luscious food and a few hours of leisure.

Pamper yourself-and a loved one-with an easygoing breakfast. Our menu lets you prep the dishes the night before so you're free to relax in the morning while the meal is baking. Linger over a conversation, or simply settle in with your favorite book or a stack of movies. -ANDRIA SCOTT HURST

Savor this scrumptious morning menu.

Spiced Coffee Cake

MAKES 9 SERVINGS

PREP: 25 MIN., BAKE: 40 MIN.

2 cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

½ cup butter, softened

¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

Streusel Topping

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Beat butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add vanilla, beating until blended. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and-ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Pour batter into a lightly greased 9-inch square pan; sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping.

3. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Streusel Topping:

MAKES ABOUT ¾ CUP

PREP: 5 MIN.

½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; stir in melted butter.

Sausage-Cheese Breakfast Cups

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., CHILL: 8 HRS., STAND: 25 MIN., BAKE: 25 MIN.

1 cup cubed white bread (about 2 slices) ¼ cup cooked, crumbled hot ground pork sausage

¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with peppers

2 large eggs

¼ cup milk

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. dry mustard

¼ tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. onion powder

1. Layer cubed bread, cooked sausage, and cheese evenly into 2 greased 8-oz. ramekins or individual soufflé dishes.

2. Whisk together eggs and next 5 ingredients. Pour evenly over cheese in ramekins. Cover and chill 8 hours. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes before baking.

3. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note: To bake in a muffin pan, layer cubed bread, cooked sausage, and shredded cheese evenly in 4 greased cups in pan. Pour egg mixture evenly over cheese in muffin cups. Cover and chill 8 hours. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes before baking. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Individual Ham-Swiss Breakfast Cups: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting ¼ cup chopped cooked ham for sausage and ¼ cup shredded Swiss cheese for Monterey Jack cheese with peppers.

Mint-Topped Broiled Oranges

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., BROIL: 8 MIN.

Cut a very thin slice off the bottom of each orange half to help steady the fruit on the baking sheet.

1 large navel orange

2 tsp. butter, melted

½ tsp. chopped fresh mint

1 Tbsp. orange liqueur (optional)

1. Cut orange in half crosswise. Run a sharp knife or grapefruit knife around each section to loosen from membrane. (Do not remove sections.)

2. Stir together melted butter, chopped mint, and, if desired, orange liqueur. Spoon evenly over cut sides of orange halves. Place orange halves, cut side up, on an aluminum foillined baking sheet.

3. Broil 5 inches from heat 5 to 8 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2006
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