8 Tips for Planning the Perfect New Year’s Brunch Menu
Whether you’re heading out to a sparkly, Pantone-inspired New Year’s Party or keeping it low-key with a cozy night in, a New Year’s Eve celebration of any kind should always be followed with a celebratory brunch. If you feel like hosting one of your own this year, rethink those go-to recipes and kick things up a notch. We’ve revamped the standard breakfast menu to include festive touches, easy, make-ahead dishes and major crowd-pleasing recipes. Put on your DIY party hat and get ready to sit down to the best brunch of 2016 with this menu-planning guide.
#1 Don’t Skimp on Appetizers
Just because it’s brunch doesn’t mean you should skip on those tasty small bites. Appetizers do more than just make your guests’ mouths water — they set the tone for the party and create a festive vibe. Plus, it buys you a few more minutes in the kitchen before your pals start getting hangry. Try the French custom of serving gougères and champagne as guests arrive. What’s better than being greeted with bubbles?! (via Aida Mollenkamp)
#2 Heat Things up With Boozy Coffee
After a late night of celebrating, there’s nothing your guests will appreciate more than the smell of freshly brewed coffee as they walk through your door. This year, spice things up with a boozy option. This classic Irish coffee recipe is sure to keep things interesting — just make sure you have plenty of freshly whipped cream on hand to top it all off. (via Gimme Some Oven)
#3 Opt for Crowd-Friendly Eggs
It wouldn’t be brunch without eggs, but that doesn’t mean you have to stand at the stove cracking eggshells and flipping over-easies. Recipes that you can partially make ahead will make your life easier and the overall menu manageable. Try a quiche or individual hash brown and egg nests to bump up the cute factor. Shakshuka, or “eggs in hell,” is another great recipe for a group because you can cook several eggs at once in a hot, broth-y tomato sauce. Throw some crusty bread in the oven just before serving — you’ll definitely want it for sopping up that warm sauce! (via The Cooking Jar)
#4 Elevate Your Toast
Tricked-out toast is always a good idea for a party. It’s hearty, simple enough to throw together ahead of time yet still elegant enough to have a starring role on your breakfast table. This recipe adds pears, walnuts, gorgonzola, cinnamon and honey to your standard avo toast for an extra special seasonal spin. (via How Sweet It Is)
#5 Don’t Forget Your Veggies
Veggies add color to your buffet display and help balance out all of those breakfast carbs. Decadent crispy prosciutto-wrapped balsamic green beans round out the meal while keeping with the brunch vibes. (via Wicked Spatula)
#6 Include a Seasonal Fruit Salad
Forget about the standard old melon and grape combo from the deli. Jazz up that fruit plate with something vibrant and seasonal that reminds everyone it’s still the holidays. Jewel-toned treats like persimmons, pomegranates and citrus are cheery and seriously delish. (via Hello Glow)
#7 Make Room for Dessert
Since you’re hosting a meal that’s early in the day, the trick here is to send your guests off on a sweet note without pushing them into a food coma for the rest of the day (not that we object to a good Sunday nap…) Avoid anything heavy and opt for something refreshing. This goat cheese mousse with blueberry compote is enough to satisfy a sweet tooth while keeping things light. (via Hungry Couple)
#8 Decorate With an Edible Centerpiece
Flowers are nice, but a show-stopping dish does double-duty to fill hungry tummies and decorate your table. A crepe cake is fun to make and way easier to tackle than it appears. Fill it with something savory, like whipped goat cheese and herbs, or take this coconut cream rum and chocolate mousse recipe for a spin and serve for dessert. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Are you hosting a NYE brunch? Follow us on Pinterest for more recipes and check out our New Year's Eve dinner ideas.
