One of the things I missed most during the pandemic was my bi-monthly brunch with my girlfriends. Bottomless Mimosas, laughter, fingers sticky with syrup, hash browns, conversation– Sunday mornings at 10 am, every other month, was Ladies Brunch.
Initially, we met at various local hot spots– and a few Mom & Pop places– to get our brunch fix. Not only does it cost a fraction of the price to host our own brunch, but there’s also something special and intimate about making a meal to share with your friends. Everybody brings a dish and a drink. It sets the tone for my week and elevates my mood.
Read More »1. JP’s Big Daddy Biscuits
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Homemade biscuits fresh from the oven instantly transport me to my MeMae’s kitchen. I can see her floral print apron with the red trim as she kneads dough for biscuits. When my own parents started buying biscuits in a tube, I longed for the real deal. Needless to say, this was the first breakfast food I mastered. A warm, buttered biscuit serves as the foundation for a good breakfast. Six common ingredients, the oven, and a little TLC will take you right back to your own grandma’s cooking.
2. To Die For Blueberry Muffins
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Nostalgia hits me hard as I relish the memories associated with these brunch foods. Perhaps Mom didn’t have the patience for kneading dough, but she made a mean blueberry muffin. This recipe was the closest I found to hers. While she didn’t use cinnamon in her version, I love the bonus of a sugary, cinnamon-flavored crumb topping. We also double the blueberries in our house, as it’s one of our favorite superfoods.
3. Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole
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My kids can’t get downstairs fast enough when I make this hearty casserole. It’s cheesy, comforting, and chock-full of hash browns. I make sure to get the largest diced ham cubes I can find, so our vegetarian can easily pick them out and ‘share’ with my teenage son.
4. Good Old-Fashioned Pancakes
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Now that he’s a grandfather, Dad carries on his monthly pancake brunch with my own children. It’s heartwarming to watch these traditions carry on to the next generation. He gave his seal of approval to this recipe and reminded everyone to warm their syrup in the microwave and have Cool Whip and fresh fruit on standby.
5. Chef John’s Monte Cristo Benedict
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Allow me to quote Chef John directly: “Imagine the best French toast you’ve ever had, combined with the best ham and cheese sandwich you’ve ever had, topped with perfectly poached eggs. You don’t need any Hollandaise because the poached egg yolks are the sauce.” Sold. The process is a bit labor-intensive but well worth it.
6. Ultimate Tofu Breakfast Bowl
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Here’s a nutritious, vegan brunch option that deserves more recognition. Tofu, jalapenos, tomatoes, avocado, black beans, potatoes, herbs, and spices make this a healthy, protein-packed power meal.
7. Scrambled Egg Hash Brown Cups
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These are my go-to when the kids have friends stay the night. Mixing hash browns, eggs, cheese, and bacon to present in a cute little muffin wrapper always leaves smiling faces– and requests for seconds.
8. Baked Oatmeal
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Sometimes a bowl of oatmeal just hits the spot. Baking the oatmeal gives the finished product a deeper, richer flavor, as does the addition of eggs.
9. Less Mess Bacon
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I feel sacrilegious admitting this, but there is a downside to bacon. It leaves behind a greasy mess whether you put it in the microwave or the skillet. As Martha Stewart says, this recipe “puts the ‘bake’ back in bacon.” Cooking bacon in the oven is the best new trick I’ve learned.
10. Easy Waffles
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Any recipe that includes ‘easy’ in the title is a win for me. Straightforward, no-fuss, and detailed cooking instructions detail exactly how to create the perfect waffle. Keep the butter and syrup handy.
11. Classic French Toast
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French toast tends to get soggy on me, so I was delighted to discover this was not the case when I used thick, sourdough bread. This dish requires prepping, soaking, and baking, so it’s not the quickest meal. But nailing the art of French Toast is oh-so-worth it.
12. Spinach and Gruyere Quiches
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Martha makes my mouth water. Spinach and cheese– especially Gruyere– are two of my favorite things. The flaky, buttery crust! Gooey cheese! Healthy Spinach! Everyone in my house cleaned their plates with this quiche. Be sure to save the leftovers as they taste just as good reheated.
Everyone knows that coffee, orange juice, and milk are the most common brunch beverages. But what about those who want an adult beverage or a tasty smoothie? We’ve got you covered.
Party Mimosa
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Four different fruit flavors [OJ, pineapple, apricot-mango nectar] mix with chilled champagne for this brunch staple for grownups.
V8 Bloody Mary
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Spicy V8 is my secret weapon when it comes to concocting a Bloody Mary. I haven’t used a mixer in years. Consider this V8 with a kick– and sip confidently knowing that your cocktail comes with two full servings of fruits and vegetables.
Berry Banana Smoothies
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A smoothie can easily be an entire meal, so these are less about feeling full and more about having a fruity drink with brunch. Mixed berry medley, half a banana, 4 oz. of unsweetened almond milk, and a small handful of ice tastes divine.
We want to hear all about your brunch bites and beverages. What’s your favorite recipe? Do you prepare brunch regularly? Tell us all about it down below.
