Whether it’s hosting neighbors from your cul-de-sac, a group friends from church, fellow moms from your children’s school, or co-workers for a special holiday gathering, brunch is a festive and simple meal enjoyed by everyone. And it’s an opportunity for you share the gift of hospitality.
Planning a gathering in your home (or church) doesn’t have to be stressful. With Lifeway’s Everyday Hospitality collection and a quick trip to the store, you can plan a simple, beautiful brunch filled with laughter, fun, and great conversation.
As host, you want to enjoy the time serving and visiting with your guests. Not listening to the conversation from the kitchen. For an enjoyable and low-stress gathering, following these tips for planning ahead and preparing a brunch with simple touches that are elegant and thoughtful.
Prep the Night Before
Don’t be exhausted by the time your guests arrive. Prep casserole mixes, fruit, and anything else you can the night before. If you have another minute, set the table in advance and decide which serving pieces you’ll be using for each dish.
Make One or Two Dishes — Buy the Rest!
Focus your energy on making one or two items of the menu yourself. For the rest, stock up at the store. Stop by your favorite pastry shop and choose from their fresh treats, then arrange them in a basket with a tea towel. Buy a couple of cans of pre-made cinnamon rolls. Everyone loves them—and they look homemade! For an extra twist, add orange zest to the frosting or top with dried cranberries. Grab a couple of muffin mixes to create a basket with a variety of flavors.
Decorate Simply
You don’t need to redecorate your home to have a beautiful table setting. Pick foods with lots of color — bowls of fresh fruit and bright juices in clear containers. Add a simple bouquet of flowers or a chalkboard with your menu on it. And you’re ready.
Serve a Mix of Savory and Sweet
Include savory dishes, such as an omelette casserole (see recipe below) or bagel sandwiches as well as sweet items, such as cinnamon rolls, donuts, or pastries; and fruit salad. Add a simple syrup (just fruit sugar dissolved in water) and a pinch of any citrus zest to turn chopped fruit into a sweet fruit salad. Drop in some fresh fruit, such as sliced lemons or strawberries, into juice for some extra flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Send Your Guests Home with a Treat
Have take-out boxes on hand to divvy up leftovers. Or buy or make extra treats to send home with your guests. They will appreciate the thoughtful gesture. And it makes for less clean-up for you.
Remember the Focus of Your Gathering
Ultimately, a great brunch is about the time you spend connecting with friends and loved ones around your table. If you have a simple plan and prep the night before, you will have time to enjoy visiting with your guests over brunch. Which will put them at ease and make them feel genuinely welcome around your table.
Simple Brunch Recipes to Try
Omelette Casserole
Ingredients:
1 bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
8 eggs
⅓ cup milk, half and half, or non-dairy milk of choice
1 cup diced cooked ham
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp pepper (or to taste)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. Sauté bell peppers and onion in olive oil or butter until just soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Crack 8 eggs into a large bowl. Add milk, and whisk to combine. Stir in bell peppers, onions, ham, and cheese. Add salt and pepper. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, evenly distributing ingredients. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until eggs are set.
Tip: Make It Your Own
Check your pantry and fridge, and use whatever you have on hand to create your own unique omelette casserole. From breakfast sausage and pepper jack cheese to asparagus and broccoli, most meats, veggies, cheeses, and seasonings will work.
Quick Banana Bread
Ingredients:
2 to 3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 large beaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease 4x8-inch loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter and mashed bananas.
Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F, or until thin knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the from the pan and cool completely before slicing and serving.
Tip: Divide batter into smaller loaf pans for bit-size servings or to give as take-home treats.