Monkey Brunch

Italy is know for its food, wine, and cappucinos. What it is not known for is its breakfast -- and there's a reason for this. A typical breakfast to go at a bar usually consists of a café (or variation), and a cornetto (an Italian version of a croissant). At home, it's no better -- a typical Italian breakfast is coffee and cookies. Yes,  I said cookies.

There are few things I miss more about American culture than their breakfasts. Or, on a Sunday, a good hearty brunch. However, there is no reason why the breakfast / brunch of an American Pontifical student can't have an Italian flare...

Ingredients (2 servings):

Monkey sausages

• 6 turkey / chicken sausages
• 2 bananas
• Gorgonzola
• Sunflower seed oil

Break the sausages into bite sized pieces (about an inch long), and fry on medium heat in a pan lightly coated with sunflower seed oil. Fry just until they are lightly cooked through. Chop bananas into pan (about a quarter inch thick each). Turn heat to medium low, Stirring frequently until sausage is thoroughly cooked and bananas are carmalized (5-10 minutes). Crumble Gorgonzola cheese on top to taste, allowing it a minute or two to melt.

Savory pancakes

• 2 cups flour (this works great with gluten free flour!)
• 1 1/2 cups fermented milk (or the closest thing to buttermilk you can find)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seed oil 
• Dried green onion flakes (2 teaspoons, or to taste)
• Pinch of salt

Heat a pan on medium to high heat. Combine eggs, milk, and oil, stirring well. Stir in flour, salt, and dried green onion flakes. Fry into pancakes. 

The pancakes and sausages go deliciously together -- especially when washed down with a glass or two of Prosecco (it is brunch, after all!).