Brunch Round-Up

The problem I find when ordering brunch is trying to decide between something rich and sweet, like french toast or pancakes, and something savory, like an omelet or eggs benedict. Everything always sounds good and I usually wait until everyone else at the table has ordered before making my final decision (I am pretty notorious for eating off everyone else's plates at a meal). I love all sorts of breakfast/brunch foods so when it came time to prepare my own weekend brunch I wanted to include an assortment of dishes that would appeal to any sort of food mood or appetite. 

Strawberry and Cream Scones

When I first found the recipe for these scones while perusing Joy the Baker (she is the best), I knew that I wanted to include them. I love a great danish and these seemed like they would have the perfect flavors for a Saturday morning with girlfriends. Let me tell you, they did. The recipe called to top with turbinado sugar, but instead I brushed the tops of mine with cream and then generously sprinkled vanilla sugar on top. That vanilla flavor (one of my favorites) added the perfect sweetness to these already perfect scones. 

Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Quiche

Quiche is another one of my favorite dishes and I loved this one especially because it was full of caramelized onions. I love onions, in every form, but caramelized definitely take the cake for the best. The onions were sandwiched between layers and layers of gruyere cheese and full of eggs, cream, and seasonings. I went back for thirds of this quiche during brunch- I could not get enough!

Big Cluster Granola

I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many times I have made this granola. If you haven't started making your own granola then you are terribly wrong and missing out on one of the best things in life. I could probably make this granola in my sleep, but I knew that it was perfect addition to round out the brunch menu. It is light and simple, but always a crowd pleaser!

Brunch makes for a perfect weekend. 

Brunch for a Living

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I definitely think that I could make a living out of brunching. I think most people can agree that brunch is the best meal of the weekends and the biggest reason that some people get out of bed on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This past Saturday I hosted brunch for some of my friends to celebrate the weekend, good food, and a new brunch cocktail- the Aperol Spritz. 

Along with the Aperol Spritz's I served some of my favorite brunch items - strawberry scones, quiche, and homemade granola with yogurt. I loved spending the morning preparing all this food, especially when later I was then able to sit down with my friends, a plate full of food, surrounded by friends,  and a cool drink in my hand. 

I will be sharing my brunch recipes later this week but today I wanted to spotlight our morning cocktail. I had never tried Aperol before, but my sister introduced me and told me about the Aperol Spritz. I was looking forward to trying it and found that the bright orange drink was refreshing and bubbly and a great replacement for the standard mimosa and perfect for summer!

Aperol Spritz

3 parts Prosecco

2 parts Aperol 

1 dash soda

Ice and orange slice

Add ice and a slice of orange to a stemless wine glass, pour in prosecco, the Aperol, and finish with a dash of soda. Enjoy!

Get paid to brunch

Brunch for a Living:

This summer Aperol is declaring its signature cocktail, the Aperol Spritz, the official drink of brunch and looking for brunch lovers across the US to spread the word. Called “Brunch For A Living,” Aperol is looking to hire a “Chief Brunch Officer” in New York, LA, Miami and San Francisco to brunch all summer long in some of the city’s hottest brunch spots as a part of the Aperol Brunch Society – and get paid while doing it. It’s easy to apply, applicants just have to submit a 15-second video on Instagram explaining why they should be picked.