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By this time, you've got to be way past what you are serving for your main holiday meal. The grocery stores know that so that's why they keep the same sales for two weeks. What you might not have decided on is Christmas Breakfast. That's way more fun that the big dinner at night. With that in mind, Sheila Kern did her research and came up with wonderful breakfast recipes. Enjoy and Happy Holidays.

Oatmeal Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes

From www.nyt.com

Yield: one dozen pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions

1. Combine the milk and rolled oats in a bowl, and set aside.

2. Sift together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the buttermilk and whisk together. Then whisk in the vanilla extract and the oil.

4. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and quickly whisk together. Do not overbeat; a few lumps are okay. Fold in the oats and milk. Let sit for one hour, or refrigerate overnight.

5. If necessary, spray the hot griddle with pan spray. Drop by 3 to 4 tablespoons onto the hot griddle. Place six or seven blueberries on each pancake. Cook until bubbles begin to break through, two to three minutes. Turn and cook for about 30 seconds to a minute on the other side, or until nicely browned. Remove from the heat, and continue until all of the batter is used up.

6. Serve hot with a small amount of butter and maple syrup.

Advance preparation: You can keep these, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze for up to a few months.

Gingerbread Pancakes

From www.thepioneerwoman.com

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour

1/2 cups Packed Dark Brown Sugar

1/2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

3/4 teaspoons Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoons Salt

1/2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoons Ground Ginger

⅛ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoons Ground Cloves

1/2 cups Water

1/2 cups Brewed Coffee, Room Temperature Or Cold

2 whole Large Eggs

1/4 cups (1/2 Stick) Melted, Cooled Butter

⅛ cups Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

Directions

Whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl. Whisk together water, coffee, eggs, butter, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Let stand 15 minutes (batter will thicken).

Brush a griddle or 12-inch non-stick skillet with oil and butter, heat over moderate heat until hot but not smoking.

Working in batches of 3 or 4, pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto hot griddle and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with a spatula and cook until cooked through and edges are lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and loosely cover with foil to keep warm. Brush griddle with oil between batches.

Holiday Brunch Casserole Recipe

From www.tasteofhome.com

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

1 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained

1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 medium green pepper, chopped

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 green onion, chopped

1 cup reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

3 cups milk

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the hash browns, sausage, bacon, green pepper, 1 cup cheese and onion. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.

In another bowl, whisk the biscuit mix, salt, eggs and milk; pour over the top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Baked Gruyere and Sausage Omelet

From www.foodnetwork.com

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis, 2008

Show: Giada at Home Episode: Breakfast for Dinner

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing baking dish

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1/2 pound mild turkey sausage, casings removed

8 large eggs

1/3 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 1/2 cups (4 ounces) grated Gruyere cheese

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until brown, about 5 minutes. Set the pan aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add the red bell pepper, 1 cup of Gruyere cheese and 1/4 cup of parsley. Stir in the onion mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut the baked omelet into wedges and sprinkle with remaining parsley before serving.

Cook's Note: To make individual servings, divide the batter between 4 buttered 8-ounce ramekins. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

Breakfast Pizza

From www.cooks.com

Ingredients

1 lb. bulk pork sausage

8 oz. pkg. refrigerator crescent rolls

1 c. frozen, loose pack hash brown potatoes,

thawed or shredded potatoes

1 c. shredded sharp cheese, Swiss or Monterey Jack

2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese

5 eggs

1/4 c. milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Dash Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Brown sausage and drain. Separate rolls into 8 triangles. Place on ungreased 12 inch pizza pan with points toward center. Press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Sprinkle with potatoes and sausage. Top with cheese. In bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper and sauce. Pour over potatoes and sausage. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Great for that holiday breakfast.