WHAT TO SERVE

This fragrant low-alcohol sparkler provides a counterpoint to the hearty toasties. Its fruity sweetness and refreshing bubbles play well with the ham, cheese and eggs.

Bottega Petalo Il Vino dell’Amore Moscato LCBO 588780, $13.95

BRAISED ONIONS & PEAS

Humble onions and peas take the spotlight with this classic treatment. The tiny onions braise to melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, and the peas add a bright, fresh contrast (even from frozen). If you can’t get pearl or cippolini onions, use the smallest cooking onions (about two per person) you can find and increase the braising time by about 15 minutes.

2 bags (each 284 g) pearl or cippolini onions 2 tbsp (30 mL) cold-pressed canola or olive oil 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter, divided

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) no-salt-added chicken or vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh thyme 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt, plus more to taste

Freshly ground pepper to taste

4 cups (1 L) frozen green peas, about 18 oz (510 g)

1 To peel onions, blanch in a saucepan of boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Trim off root ends and slip off skins; trim off any long, papery tips. Pat dry.

2 Heat oil and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the butter in a large shallow sauté pan or a skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned in spots. Add broth, bay leaf, thyme, 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil.

3 Cover, reduce heat to low and gently simmer, gently stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until onions are very soft yet hold their shape. You can let onions cool, uncovered, then cover and let stand at room temperature for up to 8 hours before serving.

4 Just before serving, return onions to medium heat and bring to a gentle boil; boil for about 5 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about half. Add peas and remaining butter. Cover and simmer, gently stirring once, for about 5 minutes or until peas are hot and glazed. Discard bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 8