10 Ways to Own Easter Brunch
Photo credit: Sanda Vuckovic Pagaimo/StockFood
Follow these tips and even though you’re the host, you’ll still have an easy-like-Sunday-morning time.
1. Start late, like around noon. This gives you time to caffeinate and prep, and your guests time to sleep in and mosey on over at their own paces. That means a happier you, a happier them, and an altogether successful event.
2. Wear something flowy and colorful. Ladies, this is the time for a caftan. Gents, loose, lightweight pants and a collared shirt, untucked. Go barefoot if you want. Point is: You’re going to be running back and forth to the kitchen, so be comfortable, and set the tone of comfort for your friends, too. Just leave the black in the closet!
3. Don’t be too precious. Yes, it’s Easter, but that doesn’t mean your table has to be studded with pastel cocktail napkins and daffodils. Use the dishes and utensils you have already have; the festiveness will come with the springy flavors of the food and the bubbles in those drinks. Which brings us to…
5. Have radishes—peppery and at their most vibrant watermelon color right now—good room-temperature butter, and flaky salt on the coffee table or counter so your friends can nosh upon entry. Halve the bigger radishes.
6. Eggs: baked, scrambled, or in a frittata. Don’t try to fry eggs if you’ve got a large group; you want something that can be served family-style. A frittata is ideal, because it can be cooked in advance and served at room temperature. Plus, you can mix spring vegetables in—try whole-cooked asparagus—for texture and color.
7. Instead of baking a ham, just pick up some nice prosciutto or some thick-sliced, already-cooked ham from your local market. Just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean you can’t make it easy on yourself.
8. Top pretty much everything with roughly chopped herbs. Or even whole herbs, if you want to skip a step. It’s spring, so dill and mint and parsley are at their finest. Shower your eggs and meats and salads with them!
9. If it’s a potluck, make sure your guests transport things properly. Nobody wants soggy biscuits.
10. Even though it’s brunch, we’re ones for serving coffee at the end of the meal. Since you’re starting late, your friends will likely have had their morning coffee already, but as you’re feasting, they’ll need a little more to cap off the meal and continue about their days with good energy. So whatever your pleasure—Chemex, drip, cold-brew—make sure you have enough for two cups per person on hand.
11. (Bonus round!) Bake some little sweet treats ahead of time for your guests to take home with them. For easter, we say make a Bundt cake and then slice it. Package one slice per person, in clear plastic baggies and butcher’s twine, and send them on their merry ways. If they can save it until the next morning, it will be a nice reminder of the Easter you spent together.
