The coolest meal these days is, inarguably, brunch. Sure, there are pop up cafes everywhere (have you heard of the cereal cafe in London?) that sell everything you could possibly desire but the most enduring food fad of recent years is definitely brunch. A cross between breakfast and lunch but better than the sum of its parts, it’s an excuse to luxuriate with your nearest and dearest over a plate of pancakes on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Brunch is about more than food: it’s a lifestyle. Here are some tips on how to bring the brunch experience into your own home…
Go For Healthy Food
Brunch might sound like a great excuse for French toast with as much syrup as you can physically fit on your plate, but you should also remember that it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. The latest cool dish is probably smashed avocado on toast, which is full of nutrients and fats that are great for you, particularly if you add a couple of poached eggs on the side. If you don’t want to go for alcohol or anything too heavy, why not invest in a blender and combine your favorite fruits and vegetables to make juices?
Take Your Time
Finally, remember that brunch is a meal to be truly enjoyed. It’s more of an experience than a culinary feast, if we’re entirely honest – and although the pastries and toast and eggs are always incredible, the most important part of brunch is what it represents. Brunch means spending time with your loved ones, treating yourself and enjoying yourself and celebrating the fact that you have a day off and it’s the weekend. The ritual of preparing the food while talking, enjoying that warming sip of a coffee, perhaps after looking through this Breville Barista Express Impress Review, it all helps you connect and cherish some simple time together. This time of year you might even be able to start sitting outside in the sun – savour it, take your time, and look forward to the day ahead.
Try New Recipes
Brunch is a great excuse to try out some new recipes – it’s the weekend so you have time to do exactly what you like, which means that it’s time to bake fresh muffins and make your own smoothies. If you aren’t a great baker, muffins are the perfect place to start – the presentation doesn’t matter quite as much as it does with cupcakes or larger cakes, and a lot of the time muffins are about simply mixing the ingredients together, spooning them into muffin cases, putting them in the oven, and hoping for the best. If you have a sweet tooth then you could put chocolate chips in your muffins, or if you want to sweeten them more naturally then you could always go for tried and tested blueberries or even strawberries and cream muffins which can be eaten with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Savoury muffins are also delicious – add spinach and cheese to your muffin mix, and maybe even chopped up ham for a little extra depth.
Buy Your Patisserie
If you’re going for anything that’s complicated, remember that it’s okay to go to your local bakery and buy some fresh croissants or pastries. Of all baking, those are some of the absolute hardest and most time consuming items to make, and also the ones that often taste best if they’ve been made by experts who know exactly what they’re doing. Stick to the muffins and pancakes from now on, and make a move to the French patisserie only if you have plenty of time to burn.
Get Great Caffeine
One of the absolute most important parts of brunch is, of course, caffeine. A lot of people love to sip mimosas or go for green juices if they’re feeling particularly healthy, but coffee is one of the most important elements of brunch. You might be totally okay with choking down a cup of coffee from your ancient coffee maker to wake you up on a weekday morning but why not indulge in a good quality one for weekend brunch? Look online to find a top rated coffee maker and grinder that will suit your needs. You’ll be amazed at the difference in taste and the quality of your coffee.
Decorate Your Table
If you love to throw parties then you’ll understand that table decoration is an important part of any meal that you want to really enjoy. Brunch needs white cloths, your prettiest china, and glasses that are bright, sparkling and free of any water stains. Add fresh flowers to the table – this time of year there are bright yellow daffodils everywhere. You could also move your household plants to your brunch table for a feast that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Take Your Time
Finally, remember that brunch is a meal to be truly enjoyed. It’s more of an experience than a culinary feast, if we’re entirely honest – and although the pastries and toast and eggs are always incredible, the most important part of brunch is what it represents. Brunch means spending time with your loved ones, treating yourself and enjoying yourself and celebrating the fact that you have a day off and it’s the weekend. This time of year you might even be able to start sitting outside in the sun – savour it, take your time, and look forward to the day ahead.
