Meal Monday
Guest post by Stephanie Gallagher.
Brunch.
Smooth jazz. Freshly-brewed coffee. Porcelain cups with saucers - the kind that make pleasant clinking sounds when you pause to take a bite of your croissant. Intelligent conversation…
OK, so that's my brunch fantasy.
It hasn't been a reality for me since the first time breakfast meant a handful of saltines washed down with a swig of seltzer water (which is, by the way, a sure-fire cure for morning sickness, should you be in need of such a tip).
But brunch remains one of my favorite meals (the others being breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert).
And if you find yourself in the position of hosting brunch, as many of us do in the spring, whether for Easter, Mother's Day or just for fun, consider yourself lucky. For it is truly one of the easiest, most fun meals to make.
Crack a few eggs, saute a mushroom or two, maybe flip on the blender to whip up a smoothie, and voila! You've got brunch.
And if you're having the kind of crowd who doesn't have Lidia Bastianich Tivoed, brunch is one of those meals where you can make a big splash with very little work.
Here are a few of my favorite brunch recipes.
The Sweet:
Overnight French Toast Casserole
There are a gazillion versions of this recipe. And don't even think about pulling a Sophie's Choice on me to pick my favorite, because I can't. But this one is guaranteed to win you compliments (and possibly certain favors of an adult nature from your significant other).
I think the sweet crumb topping is what takes this recipe over the top. That, coupled with the fact that all of the work is done the day before, and you've got a brunch winner that will take you from Easter to Mother's Day.
Want to see how it's done? Check out my Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe video.
Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
Though not designed to be made in advance, dutch babies only take a few minutes to whip up in a blender. The rest of the prep time is spent in the oven. And the result is truly impressive.
To double or triple this recipe, just double the ingredients, and make the dutch babies in two or three pie plates. They can all bake at the same time.
Check out my Dutch Oven Pancake Recipe video for a "special occasion" twist on the classic recipe.
Strawberry French Toast Casserole
This is another make-ahead French toast casserole recipe, but it has a sweet, homemade strawberry sauce. If strawberries are in season where you live right now, you owe it to yourself to make this recipe.
Coconut Scones with Lemon Glaze
Sometimes I impress even myself with my brilliance for pairing ingredients. It's not like nobody has thought of putting lemon and coconut together, but boy was that a great idea for these buttery scones.
The Savory:
Deviled Eggs Recipe
Is there any time that deviled eggs aren't a good idea? I think not. This recipe is a classic and works as well for brunch as it does for dinner (or a nice snack, for that matter).
Use week-old eggs for the best results. (They're easier to peel.)
Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Mushrooms, bacon and cheese are layered over sandwich bread, then topped with an egg custard and baked in this easy breakfast casserole. Bonus: It can be made the night before.
Bigger bonus: This is the kind of recipe that will have your critical mother-in-law asking you for the recipe.
Can you say, "priceless"?
Spinach Strata Recipe
A strata is what baby French toast casseroles grow up to be when they realize that spinach actually tastes good.
This savory bread pudding-like dish is another make-ahead recipe, made even better with the addition of bacon and two kinds of cheese.
Quick question: Is there anything that isn't made better with bacon and two kinds of cheese?
Didn't think so.
To Drink:
I'm a big fan of fruit and vegetable smoothies. They're a great way to get fruits and vegetables into my kids (and myself) on a daily basis, and they're a great special occasion drink for brunch.
Here are a few of my favorite smoothie recipes:
Sunrise Smoothies
You can make these orange and banana smoothies for the kids even before your guests arrive. They're a great way to stave off hunger pangs and will put you in a good mood while you're putting on the finishing touches of your brunch.
Strawberry Smoothies
It's everybody's favorite smoothie recipe, made simple and healthy with just four ingredients. Use organic frozen strawberries for the best flavor.
Green Smoothie Recipe
I defy you to find a better-tasting green smoothie. And I promise this 5-star smoothie will convert even your pickiest eaters into spinach-lovers.
If not, I will fully refund all of your costs associated with obtaining this recipe, including postage.
See how it's done with this fun Green Smoothie Recipe video.
Stephanie Gallagher is a recovering journalist, author of four books and mother of two. Her Cooking for Kids web site and video blog, The Iron Chef Mom, feature family-friendly recipes for the four most important meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
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