I love brunch. Sleep in, have brunch with a mimosa or a good cup of strong, hot coffee, relax in your loungewear and, if you are like me, maybe go back to bed! The perfect thing about brunch is you can prepare it just for your family or for a crowd.
I like traditional recipes with a twist, of course. Breakfast casseroles are great because they are a “one and done” meal encompassing eggs, meat, bread, and cheese. But, I was getting tired of making, and eating, the same old egg and sausage casserole.
Here is the cutest cookbook – The Southern Sympathy Cookbook by Perre Coleman Magness. The Southern Sympathy Cookbook includes unexpectedly humorous obituaries and anecdotes alongside staples of Southern funerals – comforting casseroles; jugs of sweet tea; creamy, cheesy potatoes― providing sympathy and sustenance for the bereaved. Whether feeding a congregation, delivering a meal to a friend in need, or cooking with weekday leftovers in mind, home cooks will embrace these recipes, guaranteed to comfort and please a crowd.
I flipped to the brunch section and knew this book was for me. I made Perre’s Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Bake, and I will never look at another egg casserole the same. This recipe is heaven. It has a drop biscuit base with eggs on top, grated cheddar cheese, then a sausage gravy layer with more cheese. It came out of the oven all bubbly and delicious. There was maybe one tablespoon left – no kidding. I served it alongside Mother’s recipe for cheese grits – a staple we always had Christmas morning. You can find her recipe in a vintage post here.
I made Ina Garten’s Morning Glory muffins you can find on my Pinterest board. Full of plump raisins, grated carrots, and crushed pineapple, they make about two dozen muffins that freeze beautifully. And lastly, I set up Greek yogurt, a big bowl of fresh berries, granola, and almonds for a “make your own parfait” bar. We sipped cold-pressed orange juice mimosas and southern pecan-blend coffee.
Here is the printable recipe for the Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Bake to file in your recipe box! Let me know if you give it a try. I can’t wait to try other recipes from Perre’s book.
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
Lovely. Lovely and more lovely. Such a thoughtful brunch. So charming. You really have the gift of entertaining.
Thank you Laurence. What a kind, heartfelt sentiment.