Easy Spring Brunch Menu
One of my favorite hobbies (other than eating, of course) is day drinking. Yep, it’s a hobby, at least in my book! Which is why brunch is probably the greatest thing since sliced bread because it literally combines socially acceptable eating with day drinking.
When it comes to brunch, I know I’m not the only one who loves themselves a good brunch. While there are boundless brunch options in Seattle to get your day drinking on, I prefer to brunch it up at home, because jammies.
If you’re like me and don’t want to be bothered to put on clothes to get down with your bad self at brunch, then I have the perfect at-home brunch menu for you!
My formula for a perfect, DIY brunch is easily adaptable and really just a road map to making your own festive, easy brunch spread. My perfect homemade brunch always features a savory egg casserole dish; easy to throw together and you can most always make them the night before! Plus, what's not to love about a single dish that truly accomplishes it all - eggs, bacon and carbs? Bam!
Most importantly, my recipe for an at-home brunch is one that's effortless, elegant, crowd-pleasing and simple. Because less time slaving away over your brunch equals more time to relax in your jammies beforehand, more time to catch up with your friends when they arrive and, most importantly, more time for mimosa drinking!
With that, here are my must-have components for a perfect, simple homemade brunch. Happy brunching!
Menu Item #1: Savory breakfast casserole
There are a couple things in my breakfast repertoire that could easily be a brunch winner here. Tater tot quiche AKA man quiche or meat cookies come to mind for sure. But the newest dish that I'm in love with is my bacon three-cheese strata. It's decadent, cheesy and chock full of bacon, so you know it’s a winner! Essentially you'll be needing a big ol' post brunch nap afterwards, so you know it's the ideal brunch dish!
Bacon Three-Cheese Strata
Ingredients
1 loaf of day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound thick-cut pepper bacon
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
6 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup smoked Gouda, grated
1 cup Fontina, grated
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces and cook in a skillet until crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on a paper towel lined plate. Drain excess grease from pan. Add onions and garlic to the pan and saute until fragrant and slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk eggs, milk, Dijon, salt, pepper, oregano, Gouda, Fontina and Parmesan in a large bowl until well combined.
Butter a large casserole dish. Spread half of bread cubes on the bottom and top with half of bacon crumbles and onion/garlic mixture. Using a ladle, pour half of egg mixture over top. Repeat with remaining bread, bacon, onion/garlic mixture and egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove casserole from refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to bake. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes to cool and serve.
Menu Item #2: Sweets from your favorite bakery
Do yourself a big favor: let your favorite bakery do the work by picking up a show stopping fruit tart or a selection of your favorite breakfast pastries. Sure, you could slave away over a griddle flipping pancakes but...why?
Menu Item #3: Fresh Fruit
The rule of thumb here is whatever is fresh, seasonal and beautiful to complete your brunch spread! A selection of berries always go well with pastries and mimosas, or pineapple and grapes. If you want to go the extra mile, serve them with a quick fruit dip or even small bowls of sour cream and brown sugar. If you've never tried this combo on fruit, then you must!
Menu Item #4: Something Green
Not only should you add something green to your brunch spread you know, for “health” but also for color and rounding out this decadent spread. My favorite green brunch item is definitely asparagus! Not only is it decadent yet fresh but it’s incredibly easy to roast in the oven for a simple, green component to your brunch. Check my recipe below for the perfect asparagus side dish!
Lemony Asparagus with Hollandaise
Ingredients
For asparagus
1 bunch asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Zest of one lemon
For hollandaise
1 stick unsalted butter, melted.
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Trim asparagus by bending until it breaks in its natural spot. Once you've done this with one, you can cut the rest to the point where the first broke. Lay asparagus evenly on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare hollandaise sauce. Add egg yolk and lemon juice to a blender and blend on high. Slowly stream in melted butter until sauce is thick. Add a touch of water or more lemon juice to reach desired consistency and taste. I like my hollandaise on the lemony side, so I would totally just add more lemon juice. Season with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Spoon over asparagus and garnish with more lemon zest.
Menu Item #5: Mimosa bar
Because no brunch is complete without copious amounts of bubbles! A mimosa bar comes together faster than you can say "eggs Benedict," and requires two ingredients, three if you really want to go the extra mile.
Bubbly - I usually go with a nice Prosseco
Citrus juice or fruit puree of your choice. Go classic with orange, do grapefruit for a zing or peach puree for Bellinis! Have all three at your bar to be a real brunch baller.
Fresh berries, just for fun.
Bottoms up!
