Eggs are a traditional feature of Easter brunch.
Cooking and hosting Easter brunch is a thoughtful way to celebrate Easter Sunday with your family and loved ones. Like Sunday brunch menus year-round, both breakfast and lunch items with an emphasis on lighter fare are fair game for an Easter brunch. However, during this time of renewal and celebration, foods that imply the promise of spring, like eggs and asparagus, are especially appropriate.
Drinks
While the mimosa, a combination of champagne and orange juice, is a classic and elegant choice for a special occasion brunch, a more modern option would be to serve orange juice and cosmopolitan cocktails made with cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka and Triple Sec side by side, letting the guests decide which they would prefer. For strictly non-alcoholic choices, opt for sparkling apple cider or homemade mint lemonade.
Main Courses
Whether you prefer to organize Easter brunch as a buffet or a set meal, both egg dishes and ham make excellent main courses. For egg dishes, consider quiche or scrambled eggs. With a pastry crust, an egg-based filling and a French heritage, quiche is light, stylish fare that can easily be made up with different variations. Try classic bacon and Swiss cheese, or more modern options like broccoli, onion and cheese, ham and zucchini, or red bell pepper and green chile. The easiest-to-make egg dish, however, is scrambled eggs. You can make them plain or jazz them up with diced ham, mushrooms, tomatoes or cheese. As for meat, consider the traditional Easter main dish, baked ham. If the classic honey glaze on the baked ham doesn't appeal to you, then try a more unusual glaze like molasses, Jack Daniels or pineapple juice.
Side Dishes
The perfect palate-cleanser for an Easter brunch is a selection of creatively presented fruits and vegetables, such as grilled asparagus, minted green peas, green salad with pears and walnuts, or fruit salad. Sweet pastries also make a welcome addition to any brunch meal. Consider sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, croissants and turnovers. A selection of cheeses, Greek olives and soft rolls can also round out a brunch meal.
Desserts
Honey and walnuts are often associated with spring, making small baklava squares made with honey and walnuts (baklava can also be made with sugar syrup and pistachios) a perfect Easter brunch dessert. A classic choice would be to make homemade pies from seasonal fruit while daring options include honey and lavender ice cream and fresh figs with honey. Otherwise, chocolate mousse is a perennial crowd-pleaser.
Tags: Easter brunch, made with, brunch meal, more modern, orange juice, scrambled eggs