What makes a nice brunch?

[Squished22]

Invited a couple of close friends for brunch tomorrow without thinking of what I will actually serve. Budget isn’t massive and it’s more of a catch up. I’ll do fresh juice and tea and coffee, pastries, fruit? Anything you’ve had that you’d recommend. I’m not a foodie/cook so I struggle with these social events!

If I go out for brunch I love either French toast or pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon on the side.

Bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon and a lemon. You can do them as open sandwiches.

I usually do a buffet style brunch. Nice pastries, juice, bacon and posh
sausages.
Serve with warm crusty rolls and different sauces, let everyone help themselves.

Lots of lovely ideas already. Nice fresh, warm bread and a cheese board.

Yes smoked salmon with cream cheese, either on bagels or on hash browns.

Also love a fruit salad

I love shakshuka for brunch - basically tomatoes and eggs, but look for a recipe!

Devil's nest is great as well - scrambled eggs with chorizo, tomato, avocado, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce. On sourdough toast.

I'd want something like eggs. Pastries and fruit isn't filling enough for a meal that's supposed to serve as both breakfast and lunch.

You're all a lot more sophisticated than me. I'd serve sausage sandwiches with brown sauce

At the moment you've got breakfast, you need the 'unch'

Bagels or bacon rolls would be a good shout, or even at a push a couple of nice quiches or something to make it a bit lunchy

Brunch is my favourite meal.

If you’re not a big cook, what your providing sounds lovely. I’d add bagels and cream cheese for people who prefer savoury.

Lidl had frozen Greek pastries in last week. They’d also be a good option for a warm, savoury addition.

Champagne

I think you need something savoury for brunch, perhaps cheese and ham filled croissants would be cheaper than smoked salmon. You could prepare them in advance too, whereas scrambled egg really needs to be done at the moment.

You could use cream cheese, which shouldn't be too expensive.

Also a glass of fizz would be nice, have a look at elderflower pressé for some summery flavour, dress it up with a couple of raspberries floating in the glass or a sliced strawberry on the glass rim.

Have a lovely time!

BLT's

Don't over think it. Add one savoury item to what you're doing already and you're sorted. As suggested above:
Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels
Ham and cheese croissants (perhaps a bit too much like your pastries tho?)
Bacon or sausage butties (portobello mushrooms for non meat eaters)

Or even simpler, cheese, pate, bread, crackers on a board with eg grapes, walnuts, pickles etc

I agree Bucks Fizz would be a lovely addition

Kedgeree

Shakshuka - middle eastern eggs, best brunch ever and easy

do you have a toastie maker? I would LOVE to get a toastie for brunch!

Fruit salad or something like pineapple and watermelon. Neither/without Greek yoghurt. Smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. Plenty of good bacon and sausages. Possibly avocado to have with eg instead. Also mini cheesy breakfast muffins. All depends on how many options you want to offer.

*eithet

bacon and sausages can just go in a tray in the oven. Pre mix the eggs with double cream and salt and pepper.

I too wouldn't have thought pastries and fruit was enough of a meal nor does it scream 'brunch'!!! You need some protein in there surely?

I would serve eggs Benedict or the salmon version, but also have a range of pastries. Or the shakshuka with crusty bread.

I’d do shakshuka or huevos rancheros with crusty bread too. It’s much easier than poaching a load of eggs perfectly and looks quite impressive.

I like using gram flour as it had a nuttier flavour than wheat flour.

• gram (chick pea) flour, savoury pancakes


• gram flour fritters. Although I pan fry, not deep fry. I grate courgette, add frozen corn, chopped onion or spring onions, coriander (optional), generic curry powder, egg, pinch bi carb then add gram flour till the mix is sloppy, but thick. Shallow fry till cooked through and serve with a salad, sweet chilli sauce and/or mayonnaise siracha.

I too wouldn't have thought pastries and fruit was enough of a meal nor does it scream 'brunch'!!! You need some protein in there surely?

Mumsnet is absolutely obsessed with every single meal containing protein. It’s bizarre.