Christmas Breakfast Traditions... New and Old.

Merry Christmas to all!  This is going to be part one of a two part Christmas blog.  Breakfast will be posted today, and dinner tomorrow.

For my family, Christmas morning is very low key event.  After we exchange presents, we slowly get breakfast ready, eat, and then hang around all day; usually watching TV.  This year, we're watching Washington State play in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic.  Go Cougs!  The main food event of the day usually revolves around a very simple brunch of croissant rolls, scrambled eggs, and bacon.  The croissants are something I've grown to look forward to... and in recent years, have adapted into my own brunches throughout the year.

Right now, across the country in Philadelphia, Nick is having his first Christmas away from New Mexico.  He just emailed me a recipe that he and his best friends made yesterday for breakfast, called Breakfast Balls.  It sounds like an amazing meal, and I'm excited to try them sometime soon.  I'm also excited for him to come back home to Portland in a week.

While I have had enjoyed Christmas Croissants for years, Nick's Breakfast Balls could become a really good Christmas Eve tradition.  Both of these recipes require very little preparation, and have proven to be very easy... Perfect for a much needed break from the stress of the holidays.  Here are the recipes and bleuprints for both:

Christmas Croissants, Photo: Amy Perenchio

Christmas Croissants:
(Recipe courtesy of my mom, Sandy Perenchio.)  Serves 5-6 (Makes 16 rolls)

2 Tubes Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Softened Butter (optional)
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Chopped Walnuts
Raisins

My Alternative:
Omit: Walnuts, Raisins
Add: Sliced apple
Use: Vanilla yogurt to dip

Pe-heat oven to 375F.  Unwrap Crescent Rolls and spread on butter.  (This is optional, I don't think it's necessary, but they do always taste better at Christmas... so use your discretion.)  Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and raisins.  Roll and bake for 10 minutes or until brown.  Eat, enjoy!

Breakfast Balls, Photo: Nick Byers

Breakfast Balls:

(Recipe courtesy of Nick's best friends, Nick and Kristel Tafoya) Serves 3 (Makes 9 "Balls")

9 Slices bread

9 Pieces bacon

9 Eggs

Butter

Pre-heat oven to 350F.  Cook bacon halfway in pan.  Butter muffin tin.  Roll Slices of bread with a rolling pin and then cut into semi circular pieces.  Stuff into tin.  Put bacon on top and crack egg over top.  Put in oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Eat, enjoy!