Christmas Brunch ideas

**carlitasway** · 12-09-2011, 08:25 AM

I'm not really sure where to put this. I'm going to have 14 people over for brunch on Christmas Day. I need to keep the menu with the least prep because we are driving 14hrs the next day to visit inlaws. Also the more frugal the better. What would you serve?

**Spirit Deer** · 12-09-2011, 08:54 AM

I would serve an Impossibly Easy Pie of some kind, made with Bisquick. Maybe more than one for variety. Check out some recipe ideas here:
Search Results - Betty Crocker There's a variety of those so you could pick the flavor you think your guests would like. Or make a few different ones. They're easy to prep and go together quickly, then just have to bake in the oven. You can use the ingredients you have on hand so they're not very expensive. Not many dishes to clean and not much time to get them ready. Then just serve a simple fruit salad, maybe something like a seven layer lettuce salad, and a relish tray with fresh veggies, dessert, or whatever you want.

We particularly like the Impossibly Easy Seafood Pie which would be good at a holiday brunch. We use imitation seafood instead of the crab called for in the recipe. We also like the Impossibly Easy Cheesy Meatball Pie. I've subbed cut up Little Sizzlers breakfast sausage for the meatballs sometimes and it's really good. I make a lot of different recipes because these love to be baked in cast iron, although it's not necessary, and because they're so easy to make I like to take them camping and make them in Dutch ovens. For us, half a recipe fits perfectly in a six-inch DO and is the perfect amount for two with no leftovers. It's easy to double or triple the recipes too, which I do sometimes for potlucks. The batter can be made the night before. I've mixed up cheesecake that requires a blender and taken it to camp to bake a day or so later. Just stir or shake it before using. That could save you time the day of your brunch.

It's easy to make your own Bisquick mix if you don't want to buy it.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-09-2011, 08:58 AM

I love this one. I put it all together the night before and then pop it in the oven in the morning.

Do-Ahead Egg Bake recipe

**krbshappy71** · 12-09-2011, 09:56 AM

Yes I was going to suggest an egg-bake as well. Many different stratas can be made the night before then just popped in the oven that morning.

Fruit tray, veggie tray, Spinach dip with cubed bread, all can be made the night before. Put the spinach dip into just a tupperware container instead of into the bread bowl until right before serving.

**geckoace** · 12-09-2011, 10:21 AM

We have a brunch each year. We do a french toast casserole make day before pop into the oven. A fruit salad, pigs in a blanket (cause everyone loves them) bacon and some hash browns and an egg dish of some kind.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-09-2011, 10:21 AM

Breakfast casserole or two (one w meat)
veggie tray with dip
fruit plate
purchased cinnamon rolls or some other pastry
thin sliced ham, turkey w/rolls and condiments
coffee, tea, juice

I wouldn't try and make *everything* for 14 people. Make some easy stuff like the casserole and buy the cold cuts and breakfast pastries.

**shoiji** · 12-09-2011, 12:50 PM

Egg bake or fritata sounds good, fruit salad, bread pudding, sliced kielbasa, rolls, coffee and tea. Anyone who wants to bring something should be encouraged to do so.

**nuisance26** · 12-09-2011, 01:44 PM

~Waffle bar? I make my waffles in advance and pop them in the toaster to reheat. Have several types of syrup, fruits, nuts & whipped cream. Especially fun for kids and teens.

~

**bookwormpeg** · 12-09-2011, 02:05 PM

Different kinds of muffins.....maybe a flavored butter to go with them or jam..

**MaryCarney** · 12-09-2011, 06:20 PM

As a side, Dole makes a great Tropical Fruit Mix (canned) - I slice up a couple bananas and dump in a can of mandarin oranges at the last minute. It is delish and pretty looking.

**lisaflex** · 12-09-2011, 09:04 PM

definitely do a strata of your choice...assemble the day before..pop in frig. take out 30 mins prior to baking it and a lovely warm dish is served!

how about a small ham? some roasted asparagus that you can roast the day prior and bring to room temp and dress w/ a bit of frsh lemon jce, oil, pepper and salt. cut up fruit. put out some sliced bagels by the toaster and offer butter, cream cheese and jelly. pasta salad of any type is a nice addition. cheese, pepperoni and crackers.

a fully dressed smoked salmon is fabulous and always a hit if your budget allows.

**oheoh's momma** · 12-09-2011, 11:22 PM

these ladies are good the last brunch we had baked eggs was big hit and so was a baked french toast. another lady brought over muffins with butter. another lady brought a fruit salad that 2-3 cans of dole fruit, a can of pineapple, and a bag of frozen tropical fruit it was wiped out. not a bite left. so have fun what ever u do

**lisaflex** · 12-10-2011, 08:21 AM

i forgot to mention....use muffin tins....put either cooked bacon or sausage or ham on the bottom..top w/ some shredded cheese...beat eggs, milk and some chives and a drop or two of hot sauce....then pour in muffin tins and bake. very easy and cute as they come out lookin like mini muffins!

**wjcalderon** · 12-10-2011, 08:22 AM

We always have an egg casserole, pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit.

I make lots of pancakes the day before and store them in the fridge. Then while the casserole is baking, I put the pancakes in a 9x13 pan, cover with foil and put in the oven to warm.

I cook my bacon in the oven the day before, too. The next day, I spread it out on a baking sheet and put it in the oven with the casserole and pancakes.

**Mrs K** · 12-10-2011, 08:23 AM

I love making quiches of different flavors. You can do them ahead and pop in the oven to reheat.
Add a salad of your choice, fruit platter, cheese platter, varied breads (rolls, sliced baguette, etc...) coffee and juice and you're set.
Brunch is my favorite meal to host! Enjoy yourselves!