Brunch is the perfect meal for entertaining. It's a casual, no-fuss, come-as-you-are weekend event that's appropriate anytime of the year. Throw a great brunch with these quick tips.
Plan It
Planning ahead is the secret to every successful party. Give your party a theme to keep things interesting and delight your guests. Some ideas: a fancy "ladies who brunch" gathering, a seasonal celebration welcoming Summer, or afternoon tea. Keep it simple by keeping the invite list small.
If it's nice enough, plan to eat outdoors but be prepared with a back-up plan if the weather doesn't cooperate. All it takes for a nice meal outside is a tablecloth over your picnic table, some colorful china, and drinks like OJ and iced tea served in pitchers.
Bake It
One of your best bets for brunch is to serve a quiche. They typically contain all the elements of a meal — protein, starch, and fruits or vegetables. Quiches can also be made ahead of time, freeing you to take care of all those last-minute details the day of.
Set It Up
It's a good idea to set up as much as you can at least one day in advance. Make your menu, look at your recipes, and write a list before hitting the grocery store. This ensures you won't forget any ingredients. Things to stock up on include fruit salad, juice, coffee, tea, low-fat milk, sugar and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® spread on whole wheat muffins or toast.
Create a centerpiece — choose fresh flowers at your local market, or get creative with seasonal fruits or even an herb garden.
Enjoy It
By the time your family gathers or your friends arrive, everything will be in place — and all you'll have to do is relax and enjoy the day.