Let's face it: Inviting people over for dinner isn't always the wisest move. Even though I love to entertain, dinner guests tend to ring the doorbell with restaurant-caliber expectations. That's why I go for a sensible—and amazingly serene—alternative: a leisurely brunch at home.
Now, I'm not talking about personalized omelets, freshly fried hash browns, or stacks of pancakes. I mean a brunch menu that actually lets you sit down and enjoy a lazy morning meal with your friends. A morning filled with bottomless cups of coffee, toast dunked into runny egg yolks, and DIY granola parfaits will charm your friends just as much as a meticulously plated dinner—without all the sweat equity.
Baking eggs in the oven makes it easy to serve a crowd. I like to make the dish a little heartier by cracking eggs into ramekins filled with merguez sausage and roasted tomatoes. This baking method allows you to closely monitor the eggs and cook them evenly, without breaking a sweat if an extra guest pops up at the door. Lighten up your meal by serving a simple kale and pecorino salad with a squeeze of lemon juice alongside.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, bake a batch of cherry coconut granola and let the irresistible aroma fill your kitchen. The chewy dark cherries and toasted coconut flakes pair perfectly with a spiced fall fruit salad. Serve these with yogurt and let your guests layer their own parfaits at the table. Guests putting together their own brunch? That's a recipe for serenity now.
Here are a few strategies to make sure things stay relaxed:
Fill the coffee press with grounds and set up coffee mugs, creamer & sugar before guests arrive. They can help themselves to a cup to sip on while you are finishing up in the kitchen.
Cut toasts into triangles and stack inside a linen-lined loaf pan for guests to help themselves. Super-convenient and surprisingly elegant.
Set out yogurt, fruit salad, and granola with bowls at the table for guests to serve themselves.
As a parting treat, invite everyone take home a small jar of homemade granola to enjoy during the rest of the week.
