ISO: ISO: Brunch menu and costs.

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dawn_mo

Well-known member
I was asked to cater a luncheon at another school and figured out a menu and costs. It has been changed to a breakfast/brunch instead and have to figure it out all over again.

She suggested perhaps some muffins, mini quiches, fruit salad, casseroles, etc.

Does anyone have any menus for something like this and how much I should charge? Thanks!

 
# people, what facilities are available, etc.?

Once I know that, it will help me recommend a menu and some of the recipes, mainly from here, that I have used for several brunches and gotten rave reviews.

 
There will be approximately 25 people.

It will be a casual breakfast buffet from the libraries to thank all of their volunteers. She mentioned muffins, mini quiches and fruit salad, all of which would be easy for me to do. But I really want to impress them with my menu.
I was thinking a fruit salad, michelle's mini artichoke quiches, Scotch eggs with horseradish sauce, some sweet mini muffins, mini croissants with compound butters and some Scottish shortbread.
I will need to prepare and transfer to the school. I have a 16-quart roaster available to me, but won't be using the cafeteria's equipment at all. There is probably a microwave available to me also.

 
Thanks Barb! The librarian goes between both schools so she has

been at my Hospitality luncheons. I was flattered that she thought to ask me to cater it. There will be about 25 people there, men and women both.

 
Thanks Meryl! I saw Scotch eggs on one of the menus and thought that might be a nice addition.

 
Have you considered those inexpensive chafing dishes/racks, and sternos to keep the

quiches and Scotch eggs warm?

Lol, I bought quite a stash of them last year in preparation of a hurricane. I just put them in my walk-in closet today.

I used to coordinate some Christmas parties at work where co-workers contributed dishes. Once that water got hot, the food keeps quite hot covered in tin foil or covers if you can get them. Half-pans are great to rotate the food.

I'm thinking delicious breakfast casseroles might work as well.

 
Dawn, thoughts on breakfast items

First of all, that Herbfarm minted fruit salad is amazing. Cheap but also a showstopper.

Consider making a crustless quiche or something savory like that. I love having something savory that does not include bread, bread and more bread for catered breakfasts. Also, if you do a crustless quiche, the gluten free folk can jump in on the action.

Or maybe a breakfast burrito made with corn tortillas?

If you don't have a large chaffing dish, as much as you entertain, that might be a good investment. I saw some at Marshall's the other day. (TJ Maxx affiliate.)

 
Couple of ideas: Some of my favorite brunch recipes:

Cathy's sausage/bacon casserole (You can serve with mini rolls to either absorb the sauce or make into a sandwich)
elenor's brunch enchiladas
Sarah lea chase vegatable strata- beautiful presentation with layers of colorful vegies
epi's overnight creme brulee french toast (Add toasted nuts to the bottom layer)

Can you serve some of your bread with your homemade jams?

Perhaps you can make the fruit on a stick; either kabobs or inserted into a pineapple, etc...

What a nice compliment. Please let us know how it goes!

Are you still making the overnight bread? It has been on my list to try.

Best,
Barb

 
Dawn, check in Menus. wigs has a brunch listed there. lots of other possibilites too. also in

T&T Great threads. there is a nice breakfast thread.

 
Those are all great ideas, thanks Barb! REC: No-Knead Three-Cheese Semolina Bread

I still am making that recipe, it is so easy and always turns out for me. It's a nice size too, so there are usually no leftovers.

I really want to try this one:

No-Knead Three-Cheese Semolina Bread

With grated Parmesan in the dough, and chunks of Asiago and provolone studded throughout, this bread is a cheese-lover's dream come true.
View by: Volume Weight

* 2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
* 1 cup semolina
* 2 teaspoons instant yeast
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1 tablespoon Pizza Dough Flavor, optional
* 2 tablespoons garlic oil or olive oil
* 1 to 1 1/8 cups lukewarm water
* 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 cup diced Provolone cheese, smoked or plain, mild or sharp
* 1 cup diced or coarsely crumbled Asiago cheese, mild or sharp

* 8 1/2 ounces King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
* 5 ounces semolina
* 2 teaspoons instant yeast
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1 tablespoon Pizza Dough Flavor, optional
* 7/8 ounce garlic oil or olive oil
* 8 to 9 ounces lukewarm water
* 4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* 4 ounces diced Provolone cheese, smoked or plain, mild or sharp
* 4 ounces diced or coarsely crumbled Asiago cheese, mild or sharp

Directions

1) Combine everything but the three cheeses, and beat on medium speed of an electric mixer to make a soft, smooth dough. It may or may not clear the sides of the bowl; either way is just fine.

2) Add the three cheeses, and mix till well combined.

3) Put the soft dough in a lightly greased bowl or 8-cup measure, cover, and let rise for about 2 hours, till very puffy.

4) Lightly grease a 14" to 15" covered stoneware baker. Or lightly grease a baking sheet, or line with parchment. Sprinkle semolina into the pan, or onto the baking sheet.

5) Gently deflate the dough. For one long loaf, shape it into a 13" log, and place in the stoneware baker. For two loaves, divide the dough in half, and place both halves on the prepared baking sheet.

6) Tent lightly with greased plastic wrap (or cover the stoneware baker with its lid), and let rise for about an hour, till noticeably puffy. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

7) Take the plastic off the bread. Spray it with water, and use a sharp knife to make three diagonal slashes in each loaf.

smileys/bigeyes.gif If you're using the stoneware pan, leave the cover on. Bake the bread for 30 minutes; remove the cover, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, till the bread is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers about 190°F to 200°F. If you're baking smaller loaves, check to see if they're done after 30 minutes.

9) Remove the bread from the oven, and take it out of the pan. If you've baked in the stoneware pan, loosen the edges, and carefully turn the bread out of the pan onto a rack to cool.

Yield: 1 large or 2 smaller loaves.

http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2010/04/22/its-all-about-the-cheese-and-bread/

 
Dawn, this does sound good! I have never heard of Pizza dough flavor. I really want to

learn to make bread prior to garden season and jam making....

Yeast intimidates me!

 
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