I promised plenty of apple recipes these first few weeks of autumn and I ain't done yet. Apples aren't just for the lunch pail or the teacher's desk. Apples make great inspiration for breakfast too. Apple-Walnut Muffins. Dried-Apple Granola. Cinnamon-Apple Danish. I often start my day with an apple. Though it's rarely in the form of something as sugary as the treats I just mentioned. Apples, eaten raw and out of hand, are sweet enough for me. However, there are special autumn mornings when I'm inspired to start my day with savory apples, as in Apple-Chorizo Hash.

Recently I made the rather beleaguered point that I was a bit tired of brunch. Especially brunch at trendy restaurants with long lines. That doesn't mean I don't like to partake in long (late) breakfasts on the occasional Sunday (at home). Waffles always sound good on these mornings, but honestly I don't know anyone with a waffle iron who has used it more than once or twice (me included). So when the leisurely breakfast bug bites I'll usually whip up an egg dish. Scrambled. Sunny Side Up, or Shirred. It's all eggs to me.

I like eggs. I'm hardly complaining. It's just that I'm a cook. Eggs take very little time and attention and require absolutely no divine inspiration. They make a fine breakfast when my breakfast muse is getting her beauty rest. However, there are some Sundays when she sings loudly in my ear. These are the mornings I add hash to the menu.

radishesApple-Chorizo HashApple-Chorizo Hash

Apple-Chorizo Hash

Hash is an odd sounding word with a surprising amount of romance attached. Hash gives us a reason to gather around the stove on a chilly autumn morning. Apple-Chorizo Hash has enough romance to beat back every argument I can think of for "healthy" breakfasts. I honestly don't think that a foggy Sunday morning is the time for a healthy breakfast anyway.

Which is why Apple-Chorizo Hash is Sunday food. But sadly Sunday food is getting to be rarer and rarer in my household. I remember when Sunday mornings were lazy mornings. Breakfast was served after reading the paper and often replaced our lunch as lunchtime melted into supper. Before we knew it the day was pretty much done. Fortunately I'd made enough Apple-Chorizo hash to nibble on before bedtime. GREG

Apple-Chorizo Hash