A Christmas Brunch
A few years ago we started a new tradition for Christmas day. After we open our stockings we eat brunch—this is something we’ve been doing since I was a little girl. One year I remember being in the kitchen with Mom and my brother working on some Cap'n Crunch--this was the same year that they released Cap'n Crunch with frosting. Gross. That was the year the Julklapp delivered a package through the front door--but that's a story for another day.
The new part of the tradition started in a box from my Aunt and Uncle that live in Michigan. They gave us a special Christmas box that included Dutch Baby Pancake mix. This was the same year that my dad ordered German sausages. And the combination of the two treats made a perfect Christmas breakfast.
My Aunt and Uncle would give us a new canister of Dutch Baby mix every year. Until the store they bought it at stopped carrying it. We’ve been very sparing with the mix. Mom thinks we’ll have enough for one more batch. I did find a recipe for it on Pinterest that we’ll have to try sometime—and my brother’s fiancé’s mom makes them from scratch. There is hope for the Dutch Baby!
Dad orders two different kinds of sausage from this company—but they have a lot of variety. We get the Weisswurst and Nuernberger Bratwurst. We fry both of these in a pan (though, the Weisswurst should just be boiled in a pan of water).
My task on Christmas morning is to get the fried apples ready for the Dutch Baby. This year I cut two apples in small chunks instead of the usual thin slices. The apples go in a small saucepan with some butter and cinnamon. Once the butter has melted and the apples cook down I add a little brown sugar and maybe more butter if they’re dry—this creates a nice syrup.
This tradition helps us to remember our heritage and also our extended family members and loved ones. Merry Christmas! I hope that you find joy and blessings as you celebrate the weekend—and into the New Year!
