Savory Dutch Baby with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

This dish is a real crowd pleaser, mostly due to the high impact, wow-factor of the puffy, airy pancake. The savory toppings complement the egg-forward pancake for a delicious and filling breakfast. It’s a nice, new twist on a classic!

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Savory Dutch Baby with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Serves 4

Filling Ingredients:

3 slices bacon, cooked and sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 medium, sweet onion, sliced pole-to-pole and caramelized
1/4 cup extra finely shredded parmesan cheese, plus a few more shredded tablespoons for garnish handful of arugula, washed

Pancake Ingredients:

4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk, room temperature 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
a few grinds of black pepper
3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. On the stovetop, in a 10-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon until crispy, then set aside to cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Once the bacon has cooled, slice or tear into bite-sized pieces.

2. In the same skillet, remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the onion until caramelized and golden brown. Use low-and-slow heat to allow the onion to caramelize and not simply brown.

3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Wipe out the cast iron skillet and allow to warm further in the preheated oven until very hot, about 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the pancake batter. In a blender or food processor, mix the eggs, milk, flour, and salt together until the batter is smooth and free of any lumps.

5. Once the oven and pan have preheated, quickly melt the 3 tablespoons of butter inside the hot pan swirling to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Immediately pour the batter into the hot skillet. Quickly add the 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese to the center of the batter. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the pancake is puffed and the edges are nicely golden brown.

6. Top the pancake with the cooked bacon, caramelized onions, a handful of fresh arugula, and additional finely shredded parmesan cheese. Enjoy immediately while hot!

Savory Crepes

These luxurious, savory crepes are an impressive, yet deceptively easy, brunch entree. For an organized morning, prepare the batter the night before, then dazzle family and friends with a quick swirl of the pan, a few minutes of cooking time, and a tasty, savory filling.

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Savory Crepes
Makes about 12 crepes

Crepe Ingredients:

3 eggs
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients:

8 ounces Gruyère cheese, finely shredded
12 slices thinly sliced ham or prosciutto
4 ounces arugula
Dijon mustard
chives, minced for garnish

Directions:

1. Prep the crepe batter. In a food processor, blender, or using a bowl and whisk, mix the eggs, milk, and salt together, blending thoroughly. Slowly add the melted butter and blend again. Add the flour to the mixture, and mix until just combined; do not over mix. Let the batter rest covered in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to two days to allow the gluten in the flour to relax. This resting step will help deliver smoother, paper-thin crepes!

2. Prepare the filling. Finely shred the Gruyèrecheese. Mince the chives. Wash the arugula, and have ready the thinly sliced ham. When it’s time to make the crepes, the final assembly will happen quickly.

3. Make the crepes! When ready to make the crepes, heat a crepe pan, or nonstick skillet, over medium heat. Swipe the cooking surface with an oil-soaked paper towel. Pour 1/3 cup of batter onto the heated skillet and immediately swirl the batter to coat the bottom surface. (Use more or less batter depending on the pan and size of crepes being made). The batter will quickly set, and the top will become dry-looking. Loosen the edges of the crepe and check the bottom for light golden brown marks -- about 1-2 minutes. Flip the crepe and cook the other side for about 30 seconds. Remove the finished crepe from the pan and place on a waiting dinner plate. Crepes may be stacked as they are removed from the hot pan.

4. Assemble the crepes. Place a cooked crepe back in the warm pan and sprinkle with cheese and let the cheese melt. Layer a piece of ham, swipe on a thin layer of Dijon mustard, and remove from the heat. Add a light layer of arugula, fold in half, then in half again. Garnish with chives, and enjoy immediately!

Crustless Quiche

This savory, crustless quiche is an elegant, yet easy, recipe! The eggs have a light and airy quality that are well-balanced with hearty bits of ham and Swiss cheese. This delicious recipe pairs easily with a salad anchoring a meal that’s satisfying enough to be called either brunch or dinner!

Savory, Crustless Quiche - Ham & Cheese
Makes one 9-inch pie

Ingredients:
1/2 large sweet onion, diced and sautéed
2 tablespoons butter
5 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup ham, finely diced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1-2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
Fresh chives for garnishing

Directions:
1. Prepare a 9-inch pie dish by buttering all of the surfaces, or spraying with a cooking spray.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F

3. In a skillet, saute the onion in 1 tablespoon of butter until softened. Remove from the heat and let the onions cool slightly.

4. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. Add the cream and whisk some more until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, Kosher salt, and back pepper; continue whisking. Fold in the sour cream and cottage cheese. Stir in the cooled, cooked onions.

5. Layer the diced ham in the quiche pan. Sprinkle the ham with the Parmesan and Swiss cheeses. 6. Pour the egg mixture over the ham and cheese.

7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the egg is set in the middle, or reaches a temperature of 165°F in the center. Let cool slightly, then slice and serve.