Innovative ideas for brunch?

Question

My birthday is next Saturday and my husband and friends planned a wine tasting tour of some local wineries (there are many in my area). I said that beforehand, everyone could meet at our house for brunch. I've got my main dish planned, but I'd like some interesting ideas for sides and beverages (nothing alcoholic--we'll be having plenty the rest of the day). I'm NOT looking for anything traditional, classic, or simple. It's my birthday and I want it to be special.

Answer 1

Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cheese

Olive oil

3 firm but ripe peaches, pitted, quartered

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons brandy

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup dry white wine

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Lightly brush the grill pan or rack with oil. Place the peaches on the grill pan and do not move the peaches, otherwise you will not have those great grill marks. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes per side to get those grill marks. Grill the peaches until the grill marks are formed, slightly softened and heated through, about 5 to 6 minutes total.

Meanwhile, stir the sugar, brandy, and lemon juice in a medium bowl to blend. Set the brandy mixture aside.

As the peaches are ready, remove them from the grill and place them in a shallow baking dish. Top them with the brandy mixture, and toss to coat. Set aside for 15 minutes and allow to marinate, tossing occasionally.

Meanwhile, stir the mascarpone and vanilla in a small bowl to blend.

Divide the grilled peach mixture equally among 6 coupe dishes. Pour the wine over the peaches. Dollop the mascarpone mixture atop the peaches, and serve.

Answer 2

Shanandoah Apple Breakfast Pie

Total preparation time:  30 mins.

Serves:  6

Ingredients:

3/4 lb Bulk sausage

21 oz. can Can Apple pie filling

frozen deep dish pie crust

8 oz Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2/3 cup Brown Sugar (packed)

1/2 cup Biscuit baking mix

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown sausage in skillet, stirring with fork to break up large pieces. Drain fat from skillet.

Spoon pie filling into crust, top with cooked sausage. Sprinkle cheese over sausage.

In a small bowl stir together brown sugar, biscuit mix and cinnamon. Sprinkle over cheese, patting lightly to tamp down. Crust will be very full. Place pie in oven on baking sheet.

Bake 45 minutes or until crust is brown and filling is bubbly. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Gsrnish with unpeeled apple slice.

Answer 3

good watermelon is easy to find right now

Watermelon Juice  (6 servings)



1/2 seedless watermelon (about 6 to 7 pounds), cut into cubes

16 ice cubes

1 liter lemon-flavored soda

In a blender puree the about half the watermelon with 8 ice cubes. Slowly add half the lemon soda to the blender. Pour into glasses. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Answer 4

oysters roquefeller

crab salad-just good quality mayo,chives,a little cellery,pepper,squirt lime,salt , serve chilled  on sour dough bread

grilled eggplant,flavored with salt, olive oil,oregano and garlic.not round but longish slices-then in the middle of the slice place a slice of feta cheese and 2 sun dried tomatoes,roll and secure with toothpick.drizzle with a little oilive oil and lemon.

toasted halves of pita bread to dip in hummus.

mandarin or pinia colada cheese cake!have fun!

Answer 5

What ever your main dish is would help us in giving you sides and beverage ideas but here is what I did for 50...

Fresh brewed Coffee/flavored creamers/sugar/diet sugar, Sierra Mist, Crystal Light Tea/Lemonade

Pound Cake

Peach Cobbler

Apple Cobbler

Cantalope and Strawberry Kabobs

---------------marinated in Five Alive Juice

Ham and cheese toothpick tidbits

Pineapple and cherry tidbits

Deviled eggs

Chicken salad, turkey slice in ruffled lettuce roll

Purchased Bryers vanilla ice cream

I made everything ahead  and placed in fridge except cobblers and coffee which I timed to serve hot.

Note: group stayed for 2.5 hours and all showed up in the first 15 minutes of brunch

Favorite  breakfast Brunch dishes at our house include:

Chicken & rice with cheese and homemade white gravy to thicken

Tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches

French Toast  with powdered cinnamon sugar and real maple syrup and scrambled eggs, turkey bacon optional

Banana bread/muffins  (bought)

homemade buttermilk biscuits (Martha White recipe)

Grits, Bacon

Scrambled Eggs

Took Chocolate  dipped strawberries to a brunch that included these types of dishes

Fresh fruit tray was brought by someone else



Eating out at buffet--I like chicken tenders or pork tenderloin or crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, rice, biscuits with strawberry jam and fresh fruit--if available I'll add strawberry shortcake and forget the biscuits

Another favorite that I take as a request to parties is --sausage/cheese balls.  Somewhere-I've got a recipe for making this as mini muffins for breakfast...they went over great with scrambled eggs! Listed as recipe for breakfast muffins.

I don't know if you include the above menu combos as traditional, classic, or simple...but anything made well  (mine are usually scratch), presented beautifully (use unusual serving pieces and table settings) and served at correct  temp's usually collects raves and requests for the recipes.

Answer 6

fruit and vegetable trays

cheese and cracker trays.

Answer 7

this is decadent:

Crab Meat Deviled Eggs:

1 dozen hard boiled eggs, shelled and cut into half

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 pound lump crab meat, shelled and picked for cartilage

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced capers

2 tablespoons caper juice

Salt

Freshly ground white pepper

2 ounces Caviar

Remove the yolks from the whites and place in a mixing bowl. Using a back of a fork, break the yolks into small pieces. Add the mayonnaise, crab meat, garlic, capers and caper juice. Mix well. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the white halves. Chill the eggs completely and garnish with caviar.



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Sunburst Squash, Zucchini, and Tomato Frittata with Sheeps Milk Ricotta:  

1 tablespoon sunflower oil

Leeks sliced, soaked, and drained

Sunburst (patty pan) squash, cubed

1/2 cup zucchini, cubed

1/2 potatoes, cubed and blanched

4 eggs

1/4 cup half and half

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Salt and pepper

1 red tomato, skinned and seeded (Italian plum, Brandywine)

1/4 cup sheep's milk ricotta

Heat a 10-inch pan over medium heat. Add the oil. Saute the leeks until soft. Add the squash, zucchini, and potatoes.

In a bowl whip 4 eggs and 1/4 cup of half and half. Add the Parmesan, a pinch of salt, and a grind of pepper. Brush a new pan lightly with oil and place over medium heat. Add the egg mixture, then tomatoes, followed by softened squash potato mix. Cook until the eggs are firm.

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Answer 8

Combination Platter

Selections of cheeses

Salami

Devils on horseback

Selection of party rolls

Herbed butters

Pickles

Hummus

Mini Pita

Guacamole

Cheese ball

Sweet and sour prawns

Olives

Grapes