Sunday brunch or lunch!

[Dancing Lotus]

Dh invited over a friend WI asked him if he was still going to invite them he said he already had. I asked him what time and he said 10:30.

Now Im not sure what to serve. 10:30 is an odd time and its not what I would have picked. I was thinking about a brunch menue. Does anybody have any good brunch casserole receips? Also maybe a nice drink I could serve. They dont drink alchol so a memossa(sp) is out.

[Ceashels]

http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?q1=brunch

I put "brunch" in their search box and it gave a nice assortment of items.

I like the caseroles that I can pre-prep/layer the night before and then add the egg/milk combinations in the morning and cook.

I might have to do one of these for dinner soon.

[geckoace]

i alwaysserve french toast casserole, you make it the night before then pop it in the oven. our brunches usually look like this
fruit salad
french toast casserole
custom omelettes or scrambled eggs with peppers and onion (but a frittata is good)
hash brown potatoes
bacon and/or sausage (cooked in oven ahead and kept in a foil container)
pigs in a blanket (not the fanciest....but a real crowd pleaser)
if its a little latter then i offer some sandwiches earlier i dont
beef empanadas are also a good choice

for drinks i would serve a mix of OJ and cranberry juice with a little club soda and a lemon or cherry garnish and coffee and tea

[foxxyroxie]

I just pulled this recipe off a website this morning so I have not tried it. It sounds sooooo yummy!!!

ASPARAGUS CHEESE STRATA
1 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 T butter
1 16-oz loaf of Italian bread
2 c shredded cheddar cheese (or more!)
6 eggs
3 c milk
2 t dried minced onion
1/2 t salt
1/4 t dry mustard
In saucepan, cook asparagus with some water until tender but still firm. Drain. Spread butter on one side of the bread slices. Place half of the bread, buttered-side-down, in a greased 9x13x baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Spread asparagus over cheese. Lay remaining bread on top, buttered-side-up. In bowl, lightly beat eggs, milk, onion, salt, and dry mustard. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator several hours before you plan to serve your meal. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 75 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and return to the oven for 10 more minutes or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

You could serve this with maybe some sausage, bacon or ham (I can't see why you couldn't incorporate the meat right in the strata casserole) and toast or muffins and the such. Maybe even a fresh fruit salad (melon, grapes, berries) if desired.

That's just my suggestion.

[Ceashels]

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/Sho...aspx?rid=12288 This one is my favorite. You can stuff it with anything. Turkey and swiss, roasted veggies, you name it. It is also very impressive looking when on the table.

[Dancing Lotus]

cheasels- that Brunch Strata sounds good.

geckoace - thanks for the cranberry drink- Im gona try that one out right now!

[Libby]

Hrm...10.30am is an odd time but you know what? Eggs can't tell time - breakfast is a great meal regardless of the time of day. But I'd opt for brunch items.

Ideas:
Eggs - any which way - omelette, fritata, quiche, french toast bake casserole thingy
Cold salads - egg, potato, fruit
Meat/Cheese tray with crackers and bread or rolls and/or jellies and jams
Bacon, sausage, Cereal/Oatmeal

Just put out whatever you have on hand and pick one or two key items and add nibbly's or finger foods around it.

Drinks - coffee/tea, ice tea/coffee, juice, water, soda etc
I think you can find mock recipies for mimossas, bellini's and my fave cran and gingerale


As a last resort, put out a few nibblys to ward off the hunger pains (Serve coffee and a baked treat) and then have an early BBQ for lunch if thats possible? Say 11.30-12noon start cooking? I dont know how long your guest is going to visit.

[cheriede]

When I'm looking for recipes, I typically go to Allrecipes.com. I found this Bacon Quiche Tarts on this site and they were a big hit. I have made the night before too and they were fine. Here's the link if you want to see it http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bacon-Q...ts/Detail.aspx

[Amanda W]

I've made this breakfast casserole a bunch of times, and everyone always raves about it. I love that you make it the night before, and just pop it into the oven. Christmas Breakfast Sausage Casserole

[Neeley]

We go to several brunches a year and a few of the more popular items we have at them are quiches, fruit bowls with light dip or a cheese fondue, trays with croissants, light meats, cheeses etc...breakfast casseroles are well received and popular choices as well.

[geckoace]

We go to several brunches a year and a few of the more popular items we have at them are quiches, fruit bowls with light dip or a cheese fondue, trays with croissants, light meats, cheeses etc...breakfast casseroles are well received and popular choices as well.

yeah vanilla yogurt makes a nice fruit dip, something i was reading recently suggested taking all that leftover choclate candy and heaping it together and melting it for a fondue type deal

[Dancing Lotus]

Here is what I have in mind.

Fruit with yogurt dip
cream cheese bars , I can make them the day before and serve chilled
A breakfast casserole , also make the day before
And a cheese and broccoli stuffed cresent roll.

Since I dont know what they like I will offer a variety of drinks.


I wonder if I shouldnt make the casserole plain egg and cheese. I have a receip for one that bakes up nice and fluffy. It moslty eggs and sourcream. Or I can make the strata that has mushroom and meat. I know some people dont like mushrooms so I want to be careful.

So my decision I have to make is go fancy and impress or go simple and dont stress.

[Neeley]

That sounds good. I would vote for going simple and not stress.