The buttery croissants add another level of taste to this breakfast bake. It’s also very easy to adapt for what you have on hand in the refrigerator. Make the onions for this dish up to 4 days in advance or use some alternatives listed below.
Find this and other, fun, delicious and care-free brunch recipes in Last Minute Brunch Party by Amelia Wasiliev.
Ingredients
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 brown onion, halved and thinly
sliced
1/2 tablespoon butter, plus extra
for greasing
ó tablespoon balsamic vinegar
5 to 6 croissants
4 1/2-ounce (125g) Brie wheel
5 eggs
1 1/4 cups (300ml) heavy cream
¾ cup (75g) grated Cheddar cheese
3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked
Salt and black pepper
Method
Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the onions are evenly cooked and don’t catch on the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and vinegar, stirring to coat the onions, and cook for another 10 minutes or so as the onions caramelize. Use straight away or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 7 by 12-inch (18 by 30cm) baking dish with butter.
Cut each croissant in half, then arrange the croissant halves side by side in the prepared baking dish. Cut the Brie into small slices and wedge pieces of the Brie into the dish in between the croissant pieces. Layer the caramelized onions over the croissants and cheese.
Whisk the eggs, cream, and salt and pepper to taste together in a small bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the croissant pieces, using a fork to press down some of the croissant bits if they are not submerged in the liquid. Top with Cheddar and thyme leaves and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the egg mixture is set and the top is melted and golden brown.
Subs
• Make the fried bacon bits and substitute for the onions and Brie.
• Add halved cherry tomatoes.
• A simple ham and Cheddar cheese version of this tastes similar to a Croque Monsieur in a pan.
• Mix ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, then add this to the egg mixture instead of salt and pepper to make a cinnamon donut sweet bake.