So my family is having a huge time challenge this year on coordinating a gathering. Its a bit of a nighmare and fallen to me mostly and has been decided we just can not make it for sure work for all of us. A little more than half can do Christmas Eve until about 7pm latest. I proposed the idea of a brunch that day so that hopefully a few more can at least stop by early before going off to early afternoon other events (if I start , say 11am..and they need to be anoter place at 2-3pm that is within a 30 minute drive is likely the scenario).
So far this is gaining momentum and acceptance for the bulk who CAN come that day. They like the idea of the early end to the evening as well to get kids to bed early and prep for Santas arrival (toys out, stockings laid, etc).
But I am not totally clear on what should be served! LOL At my MIL's on holidays she sometimes makes a delish quiche and these so-bad-for-you-but-sooo-yummy cheesy potato dish, so I was considering asking for her recipes (I am NOT a cook but could follow a recipe). So what else? Muffins, fruit, sweet rols of other sorts? Am I on the right path here???
HELP!
Thanks Mama's! Just to clarify..my MIL is the "other side" of the family than this gathering will be fore, but she is going to send me those 2 recipes tomorrow! And it will be a potluck deal...my 2 nieces and for sure 2 SIL's that will be attending will all bring things, so I will ask them what they want to bring (they may have a special or fave recipe they can share since we have never really done this sort of meal togehter!), and I will let them choose first and fill in around them.
But I am hoping for a small ham (one niece already committed to a Honey Baked), a potato dish, a quiche/egg dish, fruit plate, a variety of muffins and sweet rolls, etc...then coffee, a few juices (champagne too I think), milk for kiddies..and we always have a ton of flavored tea bags and quickie cocoa.
Then I will get bottled water and make sure we have more things to set out later if (as I expect) everyone stays into an overlapping "next meal" time..so cheese/crackers/summer sausage type plate, any leftover fruit, and a veggies and dip plate along with cookies!
I am SO EXCITED to have a plan after weeks of actual tears on my part!
We usually do something along the lines of a spiral ham, baked French Toast, cheesy potatoes, fruit salad, breakfast casserole some kind of pastry.
We have often done a Christmas Eve brunch to ensure the whole family gets a chance to gather before we scatter to various events and other family commitments!
All of your ideas are great. Just keep it simple, something savory, something sweet, some fruit and bread/rolls should do it.
Have you ever done a breakfast casserole? Tasty, inexpensive and way easier than a quiche, plus you can assemble the night before and bake in the morning (google or go on allrecipes.com for specific recipes.)
We have also done a pot of soup in the crock pot (creamy soup has always been a hit) bagels and cream cheese, ham and cheese ball with crackers, coffee cake, doughnuts. Drinks are usually coffee, juice and champagne punch or mimosas, plus hot cocoa if you're up for it.
Don't be afraid to ask people to bring things, potluck is ALWAYS fun, especially for the hostess :)
Sounds like you are on the right path. Brunch is any combination of breakfast and light lunch items. We have done sandwiches on crossants before, as well as more breakfast-y omlets and such.
If there will be kids there, monkey bread is super easy to make and soo yummy. We always have it Christmas morning. :) PM me if you would like my reciepe.
I also like to make breakfast casserole in the crockpot. That way you can worry about other things the morning of, becuase the main dish will already be made, you just crockpot it overnight.
Quiche, potatoes, fruit, muffins or bagels, would be great. Can you set it up like a pot luck so you are in charge of feeding everyone? Not sure how you do things, but how kind of you to try to get everyone included!
Don't forget brunch can include mimmosas or bloody mary's :) especaily becasue it's a holiday.
dont forget the mimosas and bloddy marys. it's no brunch without a little kick.
Are you on the right path?!
Ummm....can I come?
Egg bakes are always popular and very easy (and you can mix them up together & just throw them in the oven the morning of)
You are definitely on the right track.
A spiral ham also works for brunch and is very easy to cook and serve (you just heat it up). Quiche, potatoes, fruit, pastries (mini muffins from the bakery, cinnamon rolls or crescent rolls - you can use Pillsbury), bagels and cream cheese (perhaps some lox if anyone eats that), cheese and crackers, a baked french toast dish etc. are all possibilities.
I love brunch and agree that you should make it a potluck - have your MIL bring her quiche if she's so inclined, have someone else bring a potato casserole, someone else bring a fruit platter, etc.
And don't forget drinks! Coffee, tea and cocoa of course but also juice, perhaps a little champagne to make Mimosas, bloody mary mix, etc.
Have fun with it - I LOVE brunch (can you tell)??
Creme Brulee French toast is SO yummy & easy (prep the night before), ham, muffins, eggs, fruit...
11 is really almost lunch time. why not get a ham and do the cheesy potatoes ask everyone to bring a dish and just do a potluck. we always like fruit salad and appetizers more than a big heavy meal. especially if people are going on to other events.
I did a brunch for my SS high school graduation party. I had an egg strata that was served with mild salsa (easy and you make it the night before and bake in the morning), a small honey ham, cinnamon rolls, and a fruit salad (fresh fruit with a light mint sauce).
Almost anything can be served at a brunch. Keep it simple and mostly make-ahead!
I would make a french toast casserole...or stuffed french toast casserole, a big fruit salad, a fritata, bacon and sausage, muffins and toast. I'd serve juices and coffee. You could have out fancy cheeses and jams. You could also serve bagels and lox served with cream cheese, capers and onions. Yum!
Here's another vote for the spiral ham. With all the breads, muffins, cinnamon rolls and fruit that usually show up at a brunch buffet, some cold cuts, cheese or the spiral ham will provide some protein so your guests don't leave with the sugar blues.
We did this a few years ago with my family... I remember quiches, breads, bagels, fruits, green salad. I also think we had a cold cut plate with different sliced meats with rolls, olives, baby pickles etc... Think about things that can be good hot or cold and things that can sit out for a period of time since people will be coming and going.
I just made a yummy winter fruit salad that would be perfect for a brunch.
Peel and section 4 oranges and 3 red grapefruit. Remove as such of the white pith as you can. Cut the sections into bite sized chunks. Cut a fresh pineapple into chunks. Slice 2 star fruit into thin slices. Add fresh pomagrante seeds. Toss and serve.
Very yummy! Just make sure you have sweet oranges or it can be pretty sour.
I would do a mix of breakfast and lunch foods. Honestly, it could be fun to have a waffle bar if you have a waffle maker, French Toast cut into slices are easy as well as muffins. I would suggest to have a smaller ham and maybe a turkey breast but not the whole bird. Mashed potatoes are always NEEDED!!!! I would take favorites and figure out ways to make them smaller, more finger food like, and a bit "fun" I think of brunch foods as fun foods.
