This festive seasonal brunch is as colorful as it is flavorful. Winter greens, savory peppers and onions are combined in a protein-rich cheese and egg casserole. Bright pumpkin scones laced with tart red cranberries provide sweetness with minimal sugar. Potato latkes are a nod to traditional holiday fare. The menu, most of which can be prepared in advance, is designed for celebration and good cheer.
Egg and Cheddar Cheese Puff with Greens and Roasted Red Pepper
Red bell peppers and early winter greens make this dish both beautiful and healthy. Use whatever fresh greens are left in the garden or look best at the market: chard, kale, spinach, beet, dandelion or a combination.
Tangerine Mimosas
This tangy twist on a popular libation takes advantage of the season’s citrus bounty. Instead of orange juice, we’ve used tangerine—fresh-squeezed or from the carton. Blood orange and ruby red grapefruit juice also make wonderful mimosas. For a non-alcoholic version, use ginger ale in place of champagne.
Potato Pancakes with Stewed Apples
Latkes are a traditional Hanukkah pancake made from grated potatoes, egg and crumbled crackers, matzoh meal, or breadcrumbs. In this version, I use only eggs to bind the potatoes together. Most important to the success of this dish is squeezing as much water as possible from the shredded potatoes. These are delicious served with homemade stewed apples and sour cream.
Pumpkin Scones with Cranberries
These scones, both sweet and savory, need no further adornment.
Seasonal Fruit Salad
Using unwaxed organic pears and apples for this salad means you don’t have to peel them. Citrus juice keeps the fruit from discoloring, so the salad can be assembled in advance.
Butter Cookies with Four Variations
These simple, old-fashioned cookies are nice to have on hand for the holidays; the shaped dough will keep in the refrigerator for two days or in the freezer for a month. The variations suggested here are just the beginning—any kind of nut or dried or candied fruit is worth a try. Add about 2/3 cup, and keep the pieces small for neat slicing.