Rise and shine
Make food the star on Christmas morning
What does your Christmas morning look like? Kids waking up at the crack of dawn, shrieking with excitement at the toys and gadgets Santa brought them? Or is it a slower, quieter affair, with warm pyjamas and steaming mugs of coffee and hot chocolate?
Make breakfast or brunch part of your tradition with these simple and delicious recipes from our latest cookbook, Home for the Holidays.
Not an early riser? These recipes can easily be converted to finger foods for any holiday event.
Our Chorizo Sausage Patties are chock full of flavour and a cinch to make. Lean ground pork is simply combined with an aromatic spice mixture before being formed into patties. This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd.
You may also convert the patties into hors d’oeuvres by simply shaping them into meatballs, or using them in our Sausage Roll Bites. Crisp, flaky puff pastry gives way to the spicy chorizo, with a touch of mustard for an extra kick.
Our Cranberry Apple Cider is spiced with cinnamon, cloves and ginger, making it a comforting holiday alternative to the usual OJ. Add a dash of vodka or rum for the adults!
— Calgary- based ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen has been providing advice on food, cooking, recipes and other household topics for more than 80 years. Their cookbooks include Everyday Delicious and From the Grill.
CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER
2 cinnamon sticks, halved 1 tsp ( 5 mL) whole cloves 1 inch ( 2.5 cm) piece of ginger, peeled and sliced* 8 cups ( 2 L) no- sugar- added pure cranberry juice 4 cups ( 1L) pure unsweetened apple juice¼ cup ( 60 mL) packed light brown sugar 1 orange, thinly sliced
Place cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger on a piece of cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth around spices to form a sachet and tie with butcher’s twine; set aside. Combine cranberry juice, apple juice, brown sugar, orange slices and sachet of spices in a large pot. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium- low heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer until fragrant, about 12 – 15 minutes. Discard sachet and orange slices before serving.
Makes about 12 cups ( 3 L).
Cook’s note: Look for pure cranberry juice in the organic section of your local grocery store. Alternatively, unsweetened cranberry cocktail may be used. Serving cider at a get- together? Pour hot cider into a slow cooker and keep it on the warm setting.
Guests will be able to enjoy hot cider for up to 2 hours.