Holiday Brunch Made Easy

"Get creative with decor. When prepping your tablescape, think outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases, and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls or creamers. Fresh flowers and produce can add natural pops of color to the table and a bowl of fruit can make for an eye-catching centerpiece."

"Make sure you have a mix of both sweet and savory dishes on the menu that can please a wide variety of palates. Earmarking some recipes that can be made ahead, like pastries and casseroles, can be a simple way to avoid waking up extra early to prepare. Save the morning of your event for dishes that are best served fresh, like this Herbed Spanish Omelet, which features potatoes; fresh, spring herbs; and red onions, and packs protein, B-vitamins and cancer-protective phytochemicals."

Brunch is a casual, lighter alternative between breakfast and lunch for mid-day gatherings. Pre-planning simplifies hosting and keeps the event relaxed. Creative tablescapes use unexpected serving dishes, glass bowls or creamers for syrups and jams, and fresh flowers or produce for color and a fruit centerpiece. Menus should include sweet and savory dishes and use make-ahead items like pastries and casseroles to reduce morning prep. Reserve event morning for fresh items such as a Herbed Spanish Omelet with potatoes, spring herbs and red onions that provide protein, B-vitamins and cancer-protective phytochemicals. Buffet-style spreads and themed stations let guests customize meals while hosts mingle. Visit Culinary.net for more brunch ideas and recipes.

Read at Alternative Medicine Magazine