- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.2lzcOnhH.dpuf Nothing but Delicious: Food to Share: Cheesy Brunch (And a GIVEAWAY!)

Food to Share: Cheesy Brunch (And a GIVEAWAY!)

 *Write your favorite kind of cheese as a comment to enter the giveaway. Winner will be chosen at random and will receive a cheese package for two, including a gift certificate to The Bloomy Rind.*
I'd like to introduce you to a new series I will be writing. It's called "Food to Share." I recently read a quote by Shana Ahern that simply said, "Figure out what fascinates you about food." Well for me, it's sharing food. Why? Let's put this into practical terms. I don't want to down an entire pint of ice cream by myself at home because I don't have any other food for dinner. That's sad and shameful. On the other hand, walking to Jeni's to share an ice cream sundae with a friend is nothing short of a happy memory. Shared food is the best kind of food.
My favorite meal to share (because dessert doesn't count as a meal unless you don't eat anything else) is brunch: sleeping late, drinking early, eating fancy. What more could a girl want? I've decided to share a brunch recipe with you first. 


Now I got a lot of great presents this Christmas but one of the best was a butcher shop (I say, as if it opened just for me), complete with cheese monger Kathleen Cotter, owner of The Bloomy Rind! The Porter Road Butcher/Bloomy Rind shop is a dream come true. They carry a menagerie of local meats, cheeses, bread, honey, and coming soon, Sweet Betweens
Have I ever mentioned my predilection for cheese to you? Well it started early. I ate broccoli cheese casserole instead of baby food. For an entire year during my adolescence I ate only cheese: I would order slices of cheese for lunch instead of a sandwich at restaurants. Sometimes I still plan my meals around which type of cheese I've purchased that week. 

So you can imagine my delight when I saw Kathleen Cotter at the Nashville Farmer's Market for the first time this past summer. I couldn't believe my eyes and walked by her several times just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Then I walked up to her and accidentally said something very awkward: "I've been checking you out all morning!" She laughed

This dish is, and pardon my redundancy, delicious! It's small, but rich- just enough, or possibly a little too much depending on who you are, for two. Layers: spicy, fatty chorizo, topped with earthy and tangy mushrooms, and on top of that, fresh and sweet wilted leeks, and best of all- ooey, gooey cheese and an egg yolk on top. Sigh. I want some right now. Brunch food is good for dinner too, you know. 

Cheesy Brunch For Two

1 link raw chorizo
1/2t red pepper flakes
1/2 pint mushrooms
1T balsamic vinegar
1 leek, trimmed and roughly chopped
1/3 cup dry white wine 
about 3oz good cheese (if it slices or grates you got ripped off!) 
1-2 egg yolks
In a skillet, saute chorizo and red pepper flakes over medium to medium high heat until cooked through and remove from pan. Place evenly in ramekin. Chop mushrooms roughly and cook in sausage fat until ever so slightly golden brown. Remove pan from heat and add balsamic vinegar, stirring until none is left. Put mushrooms in even layer on top of chorizo. Wipe pan clean with paper towel. Add a touch of butter and oil to the pan and cook leeks over medium heat (with a pinch of kosher salt) until they just start to caramelize. Pour wine into pan and cook down until mostly evaporated. Layer leeks evenly on top of mushrooms. Slice cheese as best you can and put it on top of leeks. Last, put egg yolks(s) in the center of the ramekin on top of the cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and yolks are warmed through. Serve with toast. 

22 comments:

ErinsFoodFiles said...

This looks incredibly decadent! YUM!

It's hard to say a favorite kind of cheese, but I do love the versatility of goat cheese!

Mel said...

I haven't tried too many, but I love provolone on grilled cheese! (Feta and goat cheese are close seconds.) I love chorizo, this recipe looks delish.

Mel
lordknowsilovetodance@gmail.com

Jane said...

Hmmmm, I am going to have to go with super sharp aged bandaged cheddar. nutty and intense!

Unknown said...

String cheese!

Susan Kent said...

hannah you gotta come home and make something like that for me!!! in the mean time- CHEDDAR (extra sharp) because it's just that good... or Boursin Cheese- because it's also just that good (and yummy in so many dishes)!!

Kathleen Harrison said...

I'm a real cheese fanatic also--gouda, gruyere, and goat cheese being my top picks!

Katie Hagedorn said...

ahhhh hahaha omg she is not kidding about the only eating cheese thing

Anonymous said...

Love your blog! Nearly as much as I love creamy Burrata.

With figs and olives and crusty bread. Oh goodness.

Shereen said...

Would love to hear your fav Nashville restaurant for a cheese plate! I don't know if I can choose...gorgonzola and goat cheese are great. But I'm really partial to hard cheeses.

HMMessinger said...

Shereen, you can get a Bloomy Rind cheese plate at Jackalope Brewery. Two of my favorite Nashville things all at once!

sscruggs said...

I could become addicted to St. André--nothing like a French triple-creme to make you happy. And you can't beat a good Jarlsberg grilled cheese sandwich. Am adding your blog to my "regulars" and this recipe looks yummy!

Rae - Say It Aint So said...

oh wow that looks incredible. i love anything with an egg on top. and cheese.
my favorite cheese is a garlic paprika jack from this place called kenny's farmhouse in kentucky. i got to the farmers market almost every weekend to get some of it. it is perfect on toast. or in a grilled cheese. or in my burrito.

Beth said...

This looks insanely decadent, and I want it NOW!

Picking a favorite cheese is impossible, but I'd say I eat more goat cheese than anything. Oh! but how could I forget-- the Beehive Barely Buzzed that Kathleen carries is unique and amazing!

Katie Hagedorn said...

i'm obsessed with you

Em said...

Parmigiano-Reggiano...the good stuff is like the Cadillac of cheese!

Emily@SimplyGourmetinSouthie said...

I love Pecorino Romano!

Katherine said...

I have never met a cheese I didn't like... but brie is pretty darn creamy and delicious! especially with strawberry jam and french bread...

Sherry said...

Brunch looks delicious I must try! I was reading the Dear Friend Blog and saw that you made ALMOND MADELINES for a winter picnic. I can't find the recipe on your site. Please re-post or point me in the right direction to find it. Thank you!

Tommy said...

Awesome blog! I'm a fellow Nashvillean and found my way here through reading Dear Friend. :) I can't wait to see more recipes and excellent photography!

mcnewcp said...

My favorite kind of cheese is free cheese. I'm not sure I'm eligible for the giveaway though.

Jeffrey Orkin said...

Muenster rocks my world

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! This looks fantastic! I too am guilty of creating a recipe around cheese...and for that reason (among many others), I could NEVER be a vegan! Haha!

My name is Heather and I just found you...through all things....Instagram! I noticed you mentioned in a comment something about Nashville and I was excited to see a local foodie. I'm from Clarksville TN which is about 45 minutes northwest of Nashville. I'll have to check out the Sweet Betweens next time I make a little road trip down there to Trader Joe's and the farmer's market!

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