Need brunch menu advice

K

kathleen

Well-known member
We are having another couple over for brunch next weekend. So, only four adults. They can't make it til late due to their infants napping schedule so I don't think we will be eating til close to noon. So, more lunch than brunch.

I was thinking of making Ina Gartens salmon salad recipe. Wanted to make a minted fruit salad but would that go (salmon salad has raspberry vineagrette). Then, what type of bread? Has to be purchased and not sure I can get savory scones around here. What else? Do I have to make coffee? What else will fill out the menu. Don't need a ton as it is just the four adults (and my three boys will eat anything)

Thanks

 
This would be rich, but did you see her goat cheese pistachio pesto palmiers?

They form a heart shape in the middle. So sweet.

I'm not wild about goat cheese, but I'd do this in a heartbeat with Bousin or goat cheese blended with creamcheese.

I'll look around for the recipe. It was in one of Ina's newer cookbooks that unfortunately I've already returned it to the library. (Edited: It's in: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics)

Very simple...uses purchased frozen puff pastry, homemade or purchased pesto, pistacho nuts and cheese. There may have been something else. I'm going on residual memory here.

Spread ingredients, roll both sides in toward middle, slice thin and bake until golden brown. There they'll be and your fingers will be itching...positively itching! to grab one of those crumblely crusts and nibble it with a glass of chilled wine.

Such is the power of good photography.

http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Contessa-Back-Basics-Ingredients/dp/1400054354/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244136617&sr=1-1

 
If it has to be purchased, do you have cheese bread twists avail? Or a good crusty french bread

or baguette with some herbed butter?

 
Leek & Cheese Phyllo Tart. This is my favourite for brunch. And it can wait until everyone is ready

Leek and Cheese Phyllo Tart By: Lucy Waverman

This is like a large phyllo pizza. Cut in slices to serve. Vary the vegetables with other ones you like. To clean leeks, remove dark green leaves and discard. Slice leeks down to root and wash under warm water to dislodge any dirt, then slice.
Serves 10 to 12
2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil
6 cups (1.5 L) sliced leeks
1 zucchini, diced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (125 mL) goat cheese
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) ricotta cheese
3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped dill
2 tsp (10 mL) crushed fennel seed
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup (75 mL) melted butter
10 sheets phyllo

1. Preheat oven to 350̊F (180̊C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add leeks and zucchini and sauté for 5 minutes or until softened. Season well.
3. Combine goat and ricotta cheese in bowl, then whisk in dill, fennel and eggs until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in leek and zucchini mixture.
4. Brush a 15-inch (38-cm) pizza pan with butter. Brush 1 sheet of phyllo with butter and place across pan. The sheet will overhang a little. Butter a second sheet and overlap first sheet by about 3 inches (8-cm). Continue to make a circle using about 8 to 10 sheets, buttering each sheet as you go.
5. Spoon in the filling leaving a 1-inch (2.5-cm) border. Fold the overhang on to the filling and make a free-form "crimped" edge. Butter edge.
6. Place in bottom shelf of oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 
Yes, I think your fruit salad would go, and my vote is for a french bagette..

as for coffee, ask them when they arrive, as for me by 12 I'm done with coffee (caffined out) perhaps Mimosa's? or Bloody Marys?

 
Thanks for the ideas

Thanks for the ideas. Glad I don't have to serve coffee as I simply can't make it. Like the idea of the cheese bread twists.

 
Iced tea or lemonade would be better than coffee at this time... coffee with dessert maybe?

 
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