Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail: "Breakfast on Pluto"

Breakfast on Pluto is one of those movies that I stumbled across a few years ago and promptly fell in love with.  I was home sick, it was on, so I watched it for no particular reason... and it completely stole my heart. Neil Jordan rocks!



Since Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I thought that I would put together a great weekend breakfast feast that will definitely be a nice accompaniment to the movie!

Broccoli, Mushroom, and Cheese Breakfast Strata

Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger, Food Network

Ingredients

* 4 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 3 cups (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms
* Cooking spray
* 1 whole wheat baguette, crusts removed, cubed (about 5 cups)
* 8 eggs and 8 egg whites
* 2 cups lowfat milk
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 10 ounces broccoli, steamed, cooled and chopped (or frozen, thawed)
* 1-ounce (1/3 cup) grated Parmesan
* 4-ounce (1 cup) part-skim mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another 1 minute. Transfer the onion mixture to a medium bowl and allow to cool. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in the skillet and saute the mushrooms until they release all of their water, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Spray an oval baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the bread cubes in the dish. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, egg whites, milk and mustard until incorporated. Add mushrooms, onion-garlic mixture, broccoli, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, and salt and pepper and stir to incorporate. Pour mixture over bread, making sure liquid saturates bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap from strata and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until top forms a light brown crust.

Turkey Sausage Patties

Recipe Courtesy of Taste of Home

Ingredients

* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
* 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 pound lean ground turkey
* 2 teaspoons canola oil

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the onion, bread crumbs, sage, salt, paprika and pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into six patties. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook patties in oil for 7 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink. Yield: 6 patties.

Cheese Scones with Herb Butter

Recipes Courtesy of Cooks.com and About Gourmet Food

Ingredients:

1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. all purpose flour
6 tbsp. butter (3/4 stick)
1/2 lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 lg. eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk

Directions:

In a mixing bowl mix first 4 ingredients with 2 cups flour. Cut up butter and crumbs into flour. Stir in cheese. Beat eggs and 1/2 cup buttermilk and add to flour mixture. Stir until just blended. Turn onto floured board. Cut as desired.

If wished, brush with buttermilk or egg. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in preheated 400 degrees for approximately 10 minutes. The secret of good scones is to work quickly after adding liquid to baking soda. Do not over knead as this makes them tough. Do not over bake as this dries them out. Remove from cookie sheet promptly and cool on wire rack - or eat right away!

Herb Butter:

Ingredients:

* 4 oz. Butter (1 stick), softened
* 1/4 Cup Herbs (your choice), finely chopped
* 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
* Sea Salt, to taste

Preparation:
Any combination of herbs will do here. Trying a mixture of any of the following: tarragon, chives, parsley, dill, rosemary, thyme, sage, dill or use a single herb. Chop the herbs as fine as possible.

Cream the butter and herbs together with a fork. Add the lemon juice and salt to taste.

On a piece of plastic wrap, shape the butter into a log about one inch in diameter. Wrap the log in plastic.

The butter will keep in the refrigerator for a week or a month in the freezer.

When you're ready to use it, just slice off a piece and place directly on the hot food. If the butter is frozen, let it warm slightly before using.

Juice of a Few Flowers

Recipe Courtesy of The Barefoot Contessa, Food Network

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
* 1/2 cup freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice (1 grapefruit)
* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
* 1 cup good vodka (recommended: Grey Goose or Finlandia), optional
* Extra lemon juice
* Granulated sugar
* Fresh mint sprigs

Directions

Combine the orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and vodka, if using, in a pitcher. Dip the rim of 6 martini glasses first in a dish with lemon juice and then a dish with sugar. Set aside to dry.

When ready to serve, place ice cubes in a cocktail shaker, add the cocktail mixture to fill the shaker 3/4 full, and shake for about 30 seconds. It's important to shake for a full 30 seconds to get the drink very cold and dilute it slightly with the ice. Pour into the sugared martini glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint. Continue filling the shaker with ice and cocktail mixture until all the drinks are poured. Serve ice cold.