Beginners Brunch or How to Prepare a Brunch Timely and Also Look Nice

I follow a few food blogs and a few things that they all have in common is that they show delicious food, beautifully prepared on a nice table setting. I've just mastered (sort of) having all my food prepared around the same time so it is all warm and fresh, so I have a hard time imagining having the food beautifully plated and the table wonderfully set. Nonetheless, I've decided to take on this challenge and I have some tips that helped me as a beginner.

Prepare the Table

Layout your tablecloth, place your dishes, set your flowers out and/or whatever decor you are doing before starting you meal. Also put your butter, honey, syrup, cream cheese, jams, salt, pepper or whatever else sauce or spice you will be having with your brunch out on the tale.


Cut and Refrigerate Fruit/Vegetables

I find it amazing how much time it takes to wash and cut fruit but it takes me 20-30 minutes if I'm doing a variety of fruit enough for a couple people. So, cut and refrigerate before you start your meal. The fruit tastes just as good after sitting in the fridge and you will save yourself so much time.


Have Serving Plates Nearby

If you have a kitchen that affords you the space to have your plates near you while cooking, by all means have them out. As soon as the food is done, I place it on the plate and cover with tin foil or plastic wrap. If you are quick cook and your timing is impeccable you probably don't have to cover to keep the heat in like I do.


Pour/Mix the Items

If you are making some sort of pancake/waffle/bake good from scratch this is when you should make your mixture/batter/etc. This is also the time to scramble your eggs. I personally like to have a hot cereal with my brunches so I pour the dry cereal into the bowl that it will be served from. After I finish the last of the hot food I add water and microwave it. The microwave seems less romantic than boiling the water but it's really a must to get the job done quickly and efficiently.


Cook Meat

I'm a bacon/sausage girl that likes to fry both. Some people bake it and I believe that may be an easier route in terms of maintenance (let me know). If you fry your meat, you must stay near it and keep an eye on it. Whether you fry or bake it though, you should do this first because breakfast meats don't need to be especially hot to be delicious. I also use the bacon fat to cook my eggs in. Not all the bacon grease, mind you. I pour most of the bacon grease into a mason jar (for later use of course, mmm mmm) and there will be a coating on the bottom of the pan. If extra oil is needed, I use olive oil. When your meat is done, turn off the burner and place the pan on a cool burner. I do pour the hot bacon grease into a mason jar (get the freezer safe kind because this glass can expand and contract) right away but use extreme caution if you do this.


Bake Bake Goods

Get those biscuits or rolls into the oven. At this point you should have your ingredients mixed and ready or if you like to shortcut like me have your can on the counter. This is also the time to make your pancakes or waffles.


Cook Hot Cereal

If you are having a hot cereal this is when I would nuke it. I always find hot cereal too hot right out of the microwave so this is a good point to do it because it will have a little time to cool so it won't not burn the roof of your mouth.

Cook Eggs

My favorite part is cooking the eggs. I prefer scrambled because I find them the quickest and easiest to make. I have a friend who slow cooks her scrambled eggs and it works really well for her but I speed cook my eggs. I put my burner on medium-high and I move the eggs around the entire time so nothing gets overcooked. I'm finished when the eggs are semi-moist and slightly firm.


Garnish Plate and Serve

If you followed this process, you would have plated as you were cooking so all the plates should have food on them. Spruce them up with garnishes (perhaps the fruit and vegetables you cut up). And set them on the table. Then enjoy with your family and/or friends!

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I'm sure you are wondering where are the pics. Well, I haven't figured out the part where I take beautiful photos of a meal I spent so much time to prepare. Also, a girl has to eat, right? If I ever become a master, I'll post all my photos. Until then, I hope these newbie tips help others organize, prepare and most importantly enjoy a beautiful brunch.