Brunch Made Easy

(Family Features) Gathering friends and family doesn’t need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between breakfast and lunch, brunch is a more casual and lighter alternative to the typical dinner party.

When charged with hosting a mid-day gathering, a little pre-planning can go a long way toward ensuring your brunch get-together is as simple as it is scrumptious.

Get creative with decor. When prepping your tablescape, think outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases, and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls or creamers. Fresh flowers and produce can add natural pops of color to the table and a bowl of fruit can make for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Plan a variety of dishes. Make sure you have a mix of both sweet and savory dishes on the menu that can please a wide variety of palates. Earmarking some recipes that can be made ahead, like pastries and casseroles, can be a simple way to avoid waking up extra early to prepare. Save the morning of your event for dishes that are best served fresh, like this Herbed Spanish Omelet, which features potatoes; fresh, spring herbs; and red onions, and packs protein, B-vitamins and cancer-protective phytochemicals.

Serve it buffet-style. Setting your spread out on the counter and allowing guests to help themselves not only makes it easier for the host to mingle, but it allows guests to customize their meals as they wish and gives the gathering a more casual vibe. Try themed stations, such as a coffee or mimosa bar, parfait bar or bread bar, in addition to more traditional dishes to let guests take the customization to the next level.

For more brunch ideas and recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Herbed Spanish Omelet

Reprinted with permission from the American Institute for Cancer Research
Servings: 4

• 1          pound potatoes, peeled and diced or shredded
• water
• 2          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2       cup diced red onion
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
• 4          large whole eggs, lightly beaten        
• 2          egg whites, lightly beaten
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
• salt, to taste (optional)
• fresh herb sprigs, for garnish (optional)

1. Place potatoes in large pan. Cover with water. Bring to boil and cook, uncovered, 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain well.
2. In deep, 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and cook 5 minutes.
3. Combine whole eggs and egg whites. Stir in parsley, basil and chives. Season with salt, to taste, if desired. Pour mixture over potatoes in hot skillet. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes, or until bottom of omelet is golden.
4. If desired, brown top under toaster oven. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 260 calories; 12 g total fat (2 g saturated fat); 28 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 2 g dietary fiber; 106 mg sodium.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Homemade Happiness

Create a better brunch at home

(Family Features) Whether it’s a lazy day with the family or a weekend morning with friends, brunch is an ideal way to share tasty food and create memories with those you love. Plus, it checks all the boxes for starting your day right: it’s flavorful, fun and can be fast with easy at-home recipes.

Instead of meeting at a local restaurant or packing up the kids to hit the nearest drive-thru, opt for staying in your pajamas at home with simple breakfast staples. Because not every brunch menu requires multiple courses or hours spent in the kitchen, it can be easy to put together a memorable spread.

For example, start with a quick favorite like Cinnamon-Sprinkled French Toast, which requires just a few minutes of prep and minimal time on the skillet. Pair it with sliced fruits like strawberries, blueberries, kiwis and more. To keep thirsts quenched while avoiding extra dish-washing, set out disposable cups alongside juice, milk and, of course, a pot of coffee.

With just a few options and little time in the kitchen, you can put together a restaurant-worthy spread in the comfort of your own home. Since you’ve made cleanup a breeze and filled everyone’s bellies, you’ll be able to enjoy the remainder of your day feeling accomplished and full.

For more brunch recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Cinnamon-Sprinkled French Toast

Recipe courtesy of the USDA

• 2          large eggs
• 2          tablespoons fat-free milk
• 1/2       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2          slices whole-wheat bread
• 1          teaspoon soft margarine
• 4          teaspoons light pancake syrup

1. In flat-bottomed bowl, crack eggs. Thoroughly whisk in milk and cinnamon. Dip bread slices, one at a time, into egg mixture, wetting both sides. Re-dip, if necessary, until all egg mixture is absorbed into bread.
2.  
3. Heat large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add butter. Place dipped bread slices in skillet. Cook 2 1/2-3 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden brown.
4. Drizzle with syrup. Serve when warm.

Nutritional information per serving: 190 calories; 8 g total fat; (3 g saturated fat); 10 g protein; 19 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 215 mg cholesterol; 250 mg sodium.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images