One of the things I miss most during these pandemic lockdowns is socializing over food. While I miss restaurants and having supper out, I think I miss diners and cafes most of all. I thought it would be fun to give you some fun brunch ideas you can make at home.
When I was in my twenties I lived in New York City, and weekend brunch was a big thing. I loved brunch. It was perfect for me who doesn’t like to get up early. You could have brunch at a leisurely hour and spend time over Eggs Benedict or some fancy French Toast with a Mimosa and some coffee.
Here are some fun brunch ideas you can make at home.
Drinks
Mimosa: orange juice with champagne
Kir Royale: crème de cassis or framboise with champagne
Bloody Mary: spicy tomato juice with vodka
Lots of coffee or tea
Food
Eggs Benedict and Its Variations
I also love Eggs Benedict and all its variations. I prefer to to have it topped with smoked salmon instead of Canadian bacon. Or try Eggs Florentine which is topped with spinach instead of meat.
The best part, of course, is the Hollandaise sauce.
Italian French Toast
Panettone, a light fruitcake made with candied fruits, is everywhere at Christmas time, but you can still find some in the stores. I love to use panettone or even pandoro, which is a star-shaped cake without the fruit, to make French toast.
Sprinkle it with powdered sugar and top with fruit or preserves and you have a lovely brunch dish.
If you can’t find panettone, try challah bread. All of these breads also work well in bread pudding. Yum.
NYC Bagel
I also love a bagel topped with cream cheese and tomato. I like to add cucumber slices, red onion, capers, and sometimes smoked salmon or smoked trout.
You can also add a sprinkling of fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or dill.
Get festive this weekend and turn your dining area into a NYC cafe with these fun brunch ideas. Buon appetito!
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