STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

trixie · Kenneth Cole

brunch recipes?

Christine · Coach

Sounds like fun! Maybe you want to include belgian waffles (you can have a make-your-own waffle bar, or you can make them *slightly* ahead of time and keep them hot and crispy on a cookie sheet in the oven), assorted fresh fruits, juices, ham, sausage, bacon, bagels, many people include cold cuts.....I will keep thinking of more ideas!

Christine · Coach

Also, every brunch I've ever been to has had quiche! These are great because you can make one large pan or a bunch of mini-quiches and they can be just finishing up in the oven as the girls arrive so that you're not running around to finish them while everyone's there.

If you make mini ones, you can make a couple of different kinds to suit different tastes, like spinach & cheese, or one with ham in it. Yum!

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i have the BEST breakfast casserole recipe. it's been featured in many cookbooks and everyone asks for it (it's not mine, i was somone who asked for it, so i can brag about it ). i will post it tomorrow. i would do that with fruit, bagels, and maybe turkey bacon or turkey sausage. i would also serve mimosas and bloody marys.

NCshopper · Hermes

In this month's new InStyle magazine they have a whole section about entertaining and part of it is devoted to brunches. I'll find it when I get home this afternoon and see what ideas they suggest.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Egg Sausage Casserole

1 lb. pork sausage

2 1/4 c. milk

10 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar

3 slices of white bread

Heat oven to 350. In a large skillet, brown sausage over medium heat. Drain WELL and set aside. In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, dry mustard, and salt. Beat 1 minute on medium speed. Cube bread. Stir in sausage, cheese, and bread (to egg mixture). Pour into ungreased 13X9 pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serves 10-12.

trixie · Kenneth Cole

NCshopper wrote:

In this month's new InStyle magazine they have a whole section about entertaining and part of it is devoted to brunches. I'll find it when I get home this afternoon and see what ideas they suggest.

Is that the InStyle with SJP on the cover? I haven't had the chance to fully peruse that one yet!

Also, thanks to everyone for the ideas and recipes. That egg casserole sounds delish, and so simple too.

NCshopper · Hermes

trixie wrote:

NCshopper wrote: In this month's new InStyle magazine they have a whole section about entertaining and part of it is devoted to brunches. I'll find it when I get home this afternoon and see what ideas they suggest. Is that the InStyle with SJP on the cover? I haven't had the chance to fully peruse that one yet! Also, thanks to everyone for the ideas and recipes. That egg casserole sounds delish, and so simple too.

No, it's the brand brand new issue with Kirsten Dunst on the cover. I haven't seen it on news stands yet, but I just got it in the mail yesterday.

NCshopper · Hermes

Okay, so I just looked in InStyle and they don't have any recipes, but they do have suggestions for brunch ideas. Here it is (I'm not going to retype the whole thing, just some key points )

1.) Don't go over the top

2.) Create a cozy vibe. Have copies of the Sunday papers on hand as well as throws and floor pillows.

3.) Play a relaxed beat.

4.) Make your meal a buffet. Place brunch items on a dining room table, side board or kitchen island. Include a stack of lap trays dressed with warm-hued linens and cutlery so guests can serve themselves and wander off to a comfortable perch.

5.) Add fruity flourishes. (it says you can create centerpieces and decorate with fruit like pears, grapes, figs, apples, etc.)

6.) Make hungry guests happy. Go for egg dishes that you can prepare ahead and keep warm in the oven like frittatas, quiches and stratas. Add fruit salad and a basket of warm croissants with jam or bagels with cream cheese and lox. Having the food ready to go will take the heat off you.

7.) Set up a do-it-yourself cereal bar. Offer granolas with toppings like yogurt and shredded coconut and kiddie thrwobacks like Count Chocula. (I like that idea!)

8.) Satisfy your friends' sweet tooth. They suggest making pumpkin pancakes topped with chopped pecans and warm maple syrup. (Yum!) Or a brunch version of bananas Foster: waffles crowned with bananas sauteed in brown sugar, butter, and rum. (Again, yum!)

9.) Give the bar a twist. Offer several flavored vodkas with pitchers of Bloddy Mary mix. Create a make-your-own station with different mixers: espresso shots for mocha, and toffee chips for liquid Heath Bars. Or, set up an instant juice bar: place bowles filled with cut up fruit next to a juice machine (who has a juice machine?!?!) and don't forget the champagne. (Personally, I say get some OJ, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and some other mixers, and some champagne and vodka and you'll have a very nice morning. )

Hope that gave you some ideas!