better

brunch
lifes best meal

A date
for 2 with
french Host
toast a stylish
fondue stress-free
brunch
Surprise!
Its not
delivery,
its pizza
for brunch

Spring 2010
betterbrunch.com
 contents

features
Brunch Bazaar

23
From Europe to South America,
dishes from across the world are
popping up in kitchens across the
states. Take their lead and serve up
some global culture.

Wake up to Pizza

28
Dont even think about ordering
in. Serve up our pizzas with a side
of competitive spirit, and let the
games begin.

Brunch in Style

33
Be the most envied host on the
block and pull together the perfect
formal brunch. Invitations and
dcor included and of course a
menu to match.

better brunch ~ 3
contents

departments
Breakfast Remix
11 Pump up that humdrum oatmeal
in five minutes and turn it into a
heavenly meal.

Editors Picks
14 The hottest trends for the season
(trust us, youll need oven mitts to
turn the page).

This Weekend
1-in-3 Ways
17 Grab your partner and get ready
to enjoy some romantic brunch
options for two.
Try three variations on those soon-
to-go-rotten bananas sitting on the
kitchen countertop. 20
Sips
Easily inspired by flowers? So are
these full-of-flavor drinks. 40
Chef-Worthy
Tips and tricks from a Midwest
brunch chef whos got his eggs
Benedict down to a science.
42
 better
brunch lifes best meal

Publisher
Claire Hanan

Creative Director
Jennifer Koppelman

Managing Editor
Ashley Cirilli

Executive Editor
Ashanya Indralingam

Copy Editors
Madeline Giangrosso
Valeria Turturro

Art Director
Breanna Holman

Designers
Laura Mazuch
Julie Vaughan

Digital Directors
Jason Goldstein
Kristin Kellogg

Photographers
Sarah Flagg
Tyler Hutcherson
Jonathan Klamm

Advisor
John Fennell
Published by Meredith Corporation
Editorial Questions: E-mail betterbrunch@meredith.com or write us at Better Brunch, Special
Interest Publications, Meredith Corp., 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309-3023.
Subscription Service: For the fastest service, visit us online at betterbrunch.com and click on
Subscriptions. Back Issues: Enclose a check or money order for $6.95 per issue and mail to:
Back Issues, Better Brunch, Special Interest Publications, Meredith Corp., 1716 Locust St.,
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023.

www.betterbrunch.com
8 ~ better brunch
 From the Editors

W ith a plate of crudites on the coffee table and mimosas

in hand we began to research food magazines, looking
for what they didnt offer. We analyzed food blogs for trends,
scoured tens of food magazines and watched cooking shows.
We found that something big something comforting,
relaxing, and delicious was missing. It was brunch.

A few months later, we are finally ready to present to you a

publication with class, superior taste and a lot of fun. Better
Brunch is a colorful guide designed to elevate your senses and
celebrate what we think might just be the best invention since
bacon.

With vibrant spreads, Better Brunch will inform you of the

latest food trends and the best ways to entertain those you
love, and well let you in on the secrets to help throw the
perfect mid-morning meal.

From soothing lavender hot chocolate to a sweet and savory

apple and sausage pizza, weve got adventurous recipes for
the at-home cook who wont settle for vanilla. With our iPad
application, comprehensive website and reader brunches, we
hope to develop a community for those who love all that we
value: delicious meals shared with our favorite people.

So, consider this your formal invitation to join us as we enrich

our tastes, minds and lives together.

Welcome to Better Brunch.

Sincerely,

TheE ditors

facebook.com/
betterbrunch
Follow us
on Twitter better brunch ~ 9
@Better_Brunch
 Breakfast Remix

Oatmeal
from boring to bold

Your everyday Peanut Butter and Banana

breakfast is Whether it is chunky or creamy, 1 tablespoon of
supposed to peanut butter mixed in to your oatmeal can give
be a quick and it some added protein and a whole lot of flavor.
Add banana slices for a flavor combo that is
easy jumpstart reminiscent of the classic peanut butter and
to a busy day, banana sandwich.
but who says
it has to be
boring? Plain
Cherry Vanilla
oatmeal can Dried cranberries are good in oatmeal but a fairly
be blah, but common add-in, so for a similar sweet but tangy
weve taken this flavor, weve added dried cherries for a new
basic breakfast twist on cherry vanilla flavor. Add cup of dried
cherries to a serving of oatmeal before
staple and cooking, and after cooking add a dash of vanilla
given it a fun extract and a splash of milk or cream for a richer
and delicious consistency.
makeover.

By Jennifer
Koppelman Pumpkin
For a taste of fall, no matter the season, add 1
tablespoon of canned pumpkin, 1 tablespoon of
pecans and a dash of cinnamon to your cooked
oatmeal. A spoonful of honey will add a little
sweetness to this flavor combo.

Kids Idea:
A few colorful sprinkles
on top of your kids
oatmeal can add some
fun to their morning Chocolate Chips
and entice them to eat a For all you chocoholics, add a few mini chocolate
healthy breakfast. chips to your oats. Theyre enough to make a
delectable treat while avoiding super-high-calorie
morning snacks like pastries and donuts.

better brunch ~ 11
 Editors Picks

Tabletop Trends
Whats in vogue this Spring for the kitchen

A spotlight on the
hottest foods hitting
the scene this year.
Incorporate them
into your brunch and
expect guests to come
to you for culinary
consultations.

By Madeline Giangrosso

Organic
Chocolate
A health nut that cant get
rid of her insatiable sweet
tooth can start seeking low-
fat alternatives to decadent
desserts. People tend to
gravitate towards good-
for-you foods so that when
they do indulge, they feel
better about itespecially
when the ingredients
are organic. Big Train,
Inc., which manufactures
organic chocolate syrup,
knows that Hersheys is the
indisputable market leader,
but its organic alternative
has a similar taste.

14 ~ better brunch
 Gluten-Free Food
>>
Gluten-free doesnt have to be
just for those people dealing with
hypersensitive allergies. Even though
it can be difficult, if not impossible,
to make pasta without gluten (which
is essentially the glue that holds the
dough together), certain companies,
such as Contes Pasta, have mastered
producing gluten-free dishes.

>>
Coconut
Smoked Fish >> Coconut flavors have taken off in the
last year, for the most part because
White fish and smoked salmon are
product developers found out how to
considered staples at New York
keep its addictive taste and still keep
Sunday brunches, where they can be
it pure and natural. Theres been an
mixed with mayonnaise, capers and
ongoing consumer shift away from
onions. But the smoking technique
carbonated beverages and thats
can spread into other products, too.
no secret, said Vita Coco, which
Guests are always looking to be
manufactures coconut water. They
wowed by their meals, and adding
have seen an ongoing consumer shift
smoke flavor really intensifies any
away from carbonated and towards
foods natural taste. Try the Smoked
water-type beverages that can add
Salmon Lox Benedict on page 42.
some punch to your drink.

Nostalgic
Comfort Food >>
Homemade favorites include classic
meatloaf and mini hamburgers that
became popular during the 1950s and
60s because they offer a sense of
comfort and hominess. During tough
times, history has shown that people
turn to old-fashioned sweets like
peppermints and peanut butter cups
to feel better. And companies seem
to be catching on fast to this belly-
pleasing remedy for stress by coming
up with foods that honor the classics.
Grandma would be proud.
>>

Exotic Citrus
Ever since the craze for blood oranges Go to betterbrunch.com for gluten-free waffle
came full circle, food makers have and pancake recipes and more 2010 food trends.
been looking to introduce exotic
citrus fruits into as many recipes as
possible, not only in juices, but also
cooking sauces (think Hawaiian-style
chicken and pork).

better brunch ~ 15
 This Weekend

A Brunch
Date for Two
Put the romance back
into breakfast
During the week, you might dart past
your partner in the kitchen whos
hurrying out the door with a coffee
mug while you nosh on a cereal bar.
With all the bustle of the workweek,
who has time for an intimate meal
together? But on the weekends
ahhh, the weekendseverything
is on your time, not your boss. So
why not roll out of bed, keep on your
pajamas and make brunch a date
for two? With these recipes, you and
your partner are likely to find that the
most romantic meal might just be
at 11 a.m. in your very own kitchen
(no little black dress and overpriced
menu involved).

By Ashley Cirilli

Sweet Morning Sundae

Ingredients:
8 medium strawberries
1 cup of Quaker Ohs cereal (or your favorite cereal)
1 cups of creamy French vanilla or strawberry yogurt
Directions:
Cut 6 of the strawberries into 4 slices each. Place 6 strawberry
slices in each of the 2 parfait glasses. Coat top of strawberries
with thin layer of yogurt. Sprinkle cup cereal over
strawberries and yogurt. Pour about cup yogurt over cereal.
Make another layer of strawberries, cereal and yogurt. Top
each sundae with whole strawberry. Serve immediately.

better brunch ~ 17
 French Toast Fondue
Ingredients:

2 tbsp. sugar
1 cup whole milk
3 large eggs
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
tsp. cinnamon
8 1-inch-thick slices soft French bread cut into
1-inch cubes
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tbsp. corn starch
cup of sugar
1 (14-ounce) package caramels
cup half-and-half
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, whisk to-

gether sugar, milk, eggs, 3 tablespoons of the butter
and cinnamon. Gently toss bread in mixture until
coated well.
Spread remaining butter on a rimmed, nonstick
baking sheet. Add bread cubes in a single layer and
bake 12 to 15 minutes. Use a spatula to remove
baked cubes from pan and serve immediately with
dipping sauce and toppings.
To make blueberry dipping sauce, take 1 cup
fresh blueberries, put in a saucepan and cook on
medium-high. Add in sugar and stir till syrupy. In
another bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water
until it gets to the consistency of a heavy cream.
When the blueberry mixture is boiling, add corn-
starch mix and stir.
To make caramel dipping sauce, combine the
caramels, the half-and-half, and the butter in a
1-quart microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl.
Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes to soften
the candy (check the mixture after the first 2
minutes, and after that, at 30-second intervals).
Remove the mixture from the microwave, then add
the vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
If you prefer preparing the sauce on the
stovetop, heat the caramels, half-and-half, and but-
ter together in the top of a double boiler set over
simmering water until the candy melts. Stir until
the mixture is smooth, then remove the pan from
the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

18 ~ better brunch
 1-in-3 Ways
Banana
Brunching
Recipes for ripe bananas
Buying all those bananas seemed
like a good idea at the time. Theyre
healthy. Oh, and cheap by the
pound. Not to mention they were
green when you bought them, so
you thought you had all the time
in the world. But the bright yellow
came and went. Now all youre
left with is a cluster of squishy
black goodness. You cant turn
back time, but here are three
ways to turn those bananas into
decadent mid-morning dishes.
By Ashanya Indralingam
20 ~ better brunch
Ingredients:
1 cup fat-free milk
1 medium banana, peeled, cut into
-inch slices and frozen
1 to 2 tbsp. sugar or honey
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. instant coffee crystals
tsp. vanilla
1 cup small ice cubes or crushed ice
Ingredients:
8 cups cut-up fruit, such as papaya,
banana, strawberries, carambola (star
fruit)
cup toasted chopped walnuts
2 medium bananas, peeled and sliced
1 8-oz. carton lemon low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
Lettuce leaves
Ingredients:
1 instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups milk
cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 medium, firm bananas
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1 to 2 tbsp. sugar
12 shortbread cookies or gingersnaps,
broken into 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp. honey, such as wildflower,
orange blossom, or clover
tsp. ground nutmeg
cup pecan halves, toasted
 banana mocha smoothies

Directions:
In a blender, combine milk, banana, sugar,
cocoa powder, coffee crystals and vanilla.
Cover and blend until smooth. Add
ice cubes. Cover and blend until nearly
smooth.

fruit salad with banana dressing

Directions:
For the dressing, combine sliced bananas,
lemon yogurt, sugar and lemon juice in
a blender container. Cover and blend for
15 to 20 seconds or until smooth. Chill
dressing, covered, for up to two hours in
the refrigerator. To serve, line salad plates
with lettuce and arrange the fruit on top.
Pour on the dressing and sprinkle with
walnuts. Makes 8 side-dish servings.

grilled bananas and pudding

Directions:
Prepare pudding according to package.
Whisk in sour cream and vanilla until
smooth. Set aside half. Cut each banana
in half crosswise, then cut each half
lengthwise. Brush bananas with butter
and sprinkle with sugar. Heat a nonstick
pan over medium heat. Grill bananas for
2 minutes or until browned, turning once.
To serve, place two quarters in each of
the four dishes, cutting to fit as necessary.
Top with cookies and pudding and repeat.
Drizzle honey and nutmeg over pudding.
Top with pecans. Makes 4 servings.

better brunch ~ 21
w
 Brunch Bazaar

Take a mouth-watering food trek to four countries

and discover how you can recreate these traditional
mid-morning meals in your own kitchen.
By Ashanya Indralingam & Madeline Giangrosso

Lets face itwhen it comes to food, were in take you around the world, without leaving the
love with all things exotic. More than a fad, dining comfort of your home (and those snuggly house
at ethnic restaurants is a gastronomic adventure. slippers). Weve even added some helpful ways to
Unfamiliar but enticing spices and herbs flavor create the appropriate mooda playlist or a wine
every bite while pictures of far-flung destinations pairing perhaps? We dont have anything against
and traditional music enhance the experience. IHOP, but if youre burnt-out on bacon, eggs and
Because dining out isnt always an option, pancakes, then this international brunch selection
weve created four mid-morning menus that is for you.

better brunch ~ 23
 Mexican
Take
up a n it
o
with tch
Huevos Rancheros chipo
powd
m ore
tle ch
ili
er!

H uevos Rancheros, the

classic Mexican breakfast
dish that translates to
eggs ranch-style in Spanish,
can be made in several different
Ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive oil

medium onion, chopped
Directions:

Make the sauce by softening onions with the olive oil

variations depending on how
spicy you like it. This variation,
which is slightly hotter than your
average mild dish, can be taken up
a notch by increasing the amount
of chipotle chili powder. Take
your taste buds on a vacation to
the south for a Mexican fiesta
sombrero not included.
in a large skillet on medium heat. Once the onions are
15 oz. can whole tomatoes transparent, add in the tomatoes and juice. Add in the
3 oz. can green chilies chopped chilies and chipotle chili powder and bring to a
pinch of chipotle chili powder simmer by turning the heat to low. Stir occasionally. Heat
4 tortillas a teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat, coating
butter the pan. Heat the tortillas in the pan, one at a time for about
4 eggs a minute on each side. Fry eggs in the same skillet, adding
2 tbsp. cilantro a little butter to the pan. To serve, spoon some of the sauce
onto a warmed plate. Top with a tortilla and the fried egg.
Add more sauce on top and sprinkle with cilantro.

{Mexica
Gr ve}
To put yourself in a
south-of-the-border
state of mind, turn on
these tunes:

Yo Digo Baila
by Mexican Institute of
Sound

Ando Bien Pedo

by Banda Los Recoditos

Me Gusta Todo De Ti
by Banda El Recodo de
Cruz Lizarraga

Estuve
by Alejandro Fernandez

Hay Ojitos
by Intocable

Carita De Angel
by Larry Hernandez

Sin Evidencias
by Banda MS
T ake your family and friends on
a trip to Brazil with a stuffed
chicken full of the countrys
authentic flavor. The stuffing mixture,
called farofa by natives, is a seasoned
Brazilian
Frango Recheado
element unique to Brazil.

Ingredients: Directions:

1 whole chicken
2 cloves of crushed garlic
2 bay leaves
finely chopped parsley
1-2 tbsp. of lemon juice or white
wine
4-5 slices of crustless toast bread
2 tbsp. of vegetable oil
1 chopped onion
1 cup of chopped bacon
1 can of sweet corn
salt and black pepper to taste
To prepare the stuffing, saut the onion and bacon in hot vegetable oil. Add in the corn,
parsley, onion, salt and pepper and cook for five minutes. Use a food processor to mince
the bread. Add into the mixture and stir well. Let cool and save for later. To prepare the
chicken, rinse and dry with a paper towel. Place in a bowl and season it generously with
the garlic, bay leaf, parsley, lemon, salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in
the fridge overnight. The next day, remove the chicken from the marinade and stuff. Use
toothpicks to close any openings in the chicken and place it on a baking dish greased
with vegetable oil. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30
minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 20-30 more minutes or until the chicken
is golden brown.

{Brazilian pico
de gallo}
For a little bit of spice
and zest to kick up your
dish, try incorporating
this mouth-watering
array of flavors that
come straight from the
heart of Brazil.
Ingredients:
1 cup of diced green and
red bell peppers
cup diced onions
1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
cup white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. olive oil
Directions:
Mix together in a bowl the green and
red peppers, onions, tomatoes, vinegar
and olive oil. Add a hint of salt right
before serving it. Serve on top of any
meat, fish or sausage for some added
kick to your dish.

better brunch ~ 25
 French
Coq au Vin

F rench cooking may have a

reputation for being snooty and
frilly, but no dish is more down-to-
earth than rustic favorite coq au vin. Like
so many classic French dishes that have
Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

3 pounds chicken thighs, skinned
Directions:

Lightly coat a large skillet with nonstick

become American staples, coq au vin stew
was first introduced to Americans in the
1960s by the esteemed Julia Child in her
book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Most coq au vin recipes call for lengthy
preparation and long hours waiting
for the slow-cooker to work its magic.
We love this sans slow-cooker recipe
variation. Smaller pieces of chicken and
vegetables and two pans to do cooking
tasks simultaneously drastically reduce
preparation time. Hearty, French fare in
under an hour? Cest magnifique!
1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
1 cups loose-pack frozen small
whole onions
2 cups fresh button or wild
mushrooms, quartered
cup dry red wine
Mashed potatoes (optional)
Snipped fresh basil or parsley
(optional)
cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Cook
chicken thighs, several at a time, in the hot
skillet until brown; drain off fat. Place chicken
thighs in a 3 - or 4-quart slow cooker.
Sprinkle chicken thighs with dry soup mix.
Add onions and mushrooms. Pour wine over
all. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5
to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3
hours. Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken
from slow cooker. Use a fork to remove
chicken from the bone, shredding it into bite-
size pieces. Discard bones. Return chicken to
mixture in cooker. If desired, serve with hot
mashed potatoes and sprinkle with basil.

{Wine Julia Child not only changed how Americans ate, she also changed how they

Pairings}
Red Burgundy
Delicious both on its own
and as a food pairing,
Burgundy wines are light-
bodied and submissively play
up the hearty flavors of this
meal.
drank. She was the first star chef to suggest wine pairings for her
recipes, forever altering American culinary history. Here we
try three of Julias wine suggestions for coq au vin. Recomm
Chate ended:
a
Cote de Rhone Bourdeaux Beau u Haut-
Full-bodied in taste, the Bourdeaux wines Estep s e jour
Rhone wines of the Southern feature a nice cherry he 20 , St-
region of France are strong and blackcurrant flavor 06, $2
2
complements to this dish. that not only pair well but
also enhance the rich, rustic
nature of the coq au vin.

26 ~ better brunch
D ont let the phyllo fool youthis Greek dessert is as easy
to make as it is to enjoy. Baklava is essentially chopped

Greek
walnuts, sweetened with honey and wrapped in layers of
pastry goodness.
Though baklava originated in Central Asia, Greek seamen travel-
ing through Mesopotamia were so enthralled by this dessert that they
brought the recipe home to Athens. The Greeks major contribution
to the evolution of this pastry is the creation of a technique that made
Baklava
it possible to roll it thinner. They named this flaky-thin dough phyllo,
meaning leaf in Greek. This same unleavened flour dough is also used
in many parts of the Middle East and the Meditteranean to make pies
and pastries, including the Egyptian Umm Ali dessert and gullac, a
traditional Turkish pastry.

Ingredients:

4 cups walnuts, finely chopped

cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cups butter, melted
1 16-oz. package frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 cups sugar
1 cup water
cup honey
tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 inches stick cinnamon

Directions:

For filling, in a large mixing bowl stir together chopped

walnuts, cup sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Brush the bottom of a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with
some of the melted butter. Unfold phyllo dough. Keep
{Greek show}
phyllo covered, removing sheets as you need them. Layer Aquamarine seas, untouched islands, whitewashed coastal
one-fourth of the phyllo sheets in the pan, generously villages and tiered citiesyes, the beauty of Greece is
brushing each sheet with melted butter as you layer, legendary. So its not surprising that this Balkan nations
and allowing phyllo to extend up the sides of the pan. many isles and inlets are popular settings for so many
Sprinkle about 1 cups of filling on top of the phyllo. movies. Heres a list of our favorites to help set the right
Repeat layering the phyllo sheets and filling twice. mood or inspire your next vacation.
Layer remaining phyllo sheets atop the third layer of
Boy on a Dolphin (1957)
filling, continuing to brush each sheet with butter before
Starring: Sophia Loren, Alan Ladd & Clifton Webb
adding the next phyllo sheet. Drizzle any remaining Setting: Hydra
butter over the top layers. Trim edges of phyllo to fit the
pan. Using a sharp knife, cut through all layers to make James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
60 diamond-, triangle- or square-shaped pieces. Starring: Roger Moore
Bake in a 325-degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or Setting: Meteora
until golden. Slightly cool in pan on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, for syrup, in a medium saucepan stir Summer Lovers (1982)
together the 1 cups sugar, the water, honey, lemon Starring: Darryl Hannah & Peter Galagher
peel, lemon juice and stick cinnamon. Bring mixture Setting: Santorini
to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20
Shirley Valentine (1989)
minutes. Remove the stick cinnamon. Pour the syrup Starring: Pauline Collins & Tom Conti
over the warm baklava in the pan. Cool completely. Place Setting: Mykonos
in an airtight container and store at room temperature
for up to three days or freeze up to one month. Thaw at Captain Corellis Mandolin (2001)
room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Starring: Nicholas Cage & Penelope Cruz
Setting: Cephalonia

better brunch ~ 27
Wake up to
Pizza
From apples to asparagus, exciting
toppings for your morning pie
By Valeria Turturro and Claire Hanan

Welcome to the new game day brunch. We dont mean wings, lil
smokies, a pigskin and team jerseys. Instead, well show you how
to throw the perfect pizza party in which half time means playing
a few rounds of Catch Phrase or Bananagrams. Revamp that old
pizza recipe and make these fruit- and veggie-inspired pies the
center of your next Scrabble showdown.

P izzas give you the freedom to

combine any assortment of
ingredients and discover new ways
to delight your taste buds. Theyre also the
perfect party food with their no-fuss eating.
They can be sweet or savory, delicate or
rich and hearty. For brunch, substitute
the more filling meaty pizzas with lighter
toppings, like fruit, nuts and veggies. Be
inspired by your favorite side dishes, like
salads. For the Cranberry & Walnut Pizza,
we took everything we loved about our
favorite salad and discovered that it tastes
even better on a pizza. Or make things
a little sweeter and add chocolate, like a
White Chocolate, Pistachio and Cherry
Pizza. Try any kind of crust -- white, wheat,
Phylo or even a cookie crust. Wheat pizza
crust (recipe below) makes these pizzas
healthy and even more flavorful.

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

1 tbsp. sugar or honey
2 tbsp. oil
1 pkg. yeast
1 tsp. salt
3 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix in all

remaining ingredients; beat well. Knead for 5
minutes. Let rise for 45 minutes.

28 ~ better brunch
White Chocolate, Pistachio, Cherry Pizza
Ingredients:
1 whole wheat pizza crust
2 ounce shelled, unsalted pistachios,
toasted
3 oz. ground cherries (or fresh cranberries)
cup heavy cream
8 oz. white chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the
nuts on a baking sheet and toast for about
10 minutes or until golden. Prepare a bowl
with ice water. In a pot of boiling water,
blanch the ground cherries for a couple of
minutes until they soften slightly but do
not burst. Plunge them into the ice water
and let cool. Dry on a baking sheet lined
with paper towels. Place chopped white
chocolate in metal bowl. Bring the cream
to a boil. Pour over the white chocolate.
Stir until smooth. Add butter, then stir to
combine. Scatter nuts and ground cherries
on pizza dough (or tart shell), and then
top with white chocolate mixture. Bake in
the oven for 15-20 min. Serve warm.
better brunch ~ 29
 Cranberry and
Walnut Pizza
Ingredients:

1 whole wheat pizza crust

1 tbsp. pesto
4 tbsp. olive oil
cup shredded mozzarella
cup dried cranberries
cup walnuts, chopped to desired
size
cup crumbled goat cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle

flour on a cookie sheet and roll the
wheat dough onto the sheet. Roll
dough out to desired thickness. In
a small bowl, combine olive oil and
pesto. With a spoon or brush, spread
Asparagus and Bacon Pizza the oil and pesto mixture evenly on
rolled out dough. Sprinkle mozzarella
Ingredients: cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts and
goat cheese on top of the pesto. Bake
1 whole wheat pizza crust pizza in oven for 10-12 minutes or
1 cup mozzarella cheese until cheese has melted and crust is
cup goat cheese golden brown.
1 pkg. sliced Canadian bacon, cut into strips
cup of asparagus (cut into 1- inch pieces)
4 oz. sour cream
cup julienned red onions

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle flour on a cookie sheet and roll the wheat
dough onto the sheet. Roll dough out to desired thickness. Evenly coat crust
with sour cream. Add remaining ingredients generously. Bake in the oven for 15-
20 minutes. Serve warm.

Friendly
Competition
While you cook, play a few
rounds of Mad Gab. Its not
important to keep score, as
everyone will probably be helping
in the kitchen and have messy
hands. When it comes time to
eat, play one of the following
games. Ditch the scorecards (and
sore losers) messy hands and
distracted cooks make keeping
score a hassle.

30 ~ better brunch
 Sweet and Spicy Apples
and Sausage Pizza

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat pizza crust

1 Gala apples
Hillshire Farm turkey smoked sausage
(approx. 7 oz.)
1 tbsp. butter
4 tsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
dash of cayenne pepper
additional cinnamon to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle

flour on a cookie sheet and roll the wheat
dough onto the sheet. Roll dough out
to desired thickness. Melt butter, and
brush it over pizza dough. Sprinkle a
dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of the
brown sugar onto dough. Cut apples and
sausage into thin slices, about inch
thick. In medium saucepan, heat olive
oil, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and
remaining cinnamon and brown sugar.
Cook on medium heat for five minutes,
stirring mixture so that the apples and
sausage are evenly coated. With a spoon,
spread apples and sausage onto the pizza
dough. Evenly spread the syrup mixture
remaining in the pan onto the dough; save
any excess for dipping sauce. Bake pizza
in oven for 13-15 minutes or until golden
brown. Serve warm.

seven + ten + eighteen +

For kids seven years and older, try Bananagrams.
Similar to speed Scrabble, the goal of the game is
to create as many connecting words as possible
with the tile letters. With banana-related terms
like peel and split that cue players to a certain
action, this game is sure to keep food on the
brain.
For kids 10 years and older, try Imaginiff. In For adults, try Partini. This game combines
this game, its not about how well you know humming song tunes, miming clues, describing
the other players, but how well you know something by what its not and it provides a sure-
the other players opinions about each other. fire entertaining time with friends and family.
With cards like Imagine if ______ was an With six different variations included, players
ice cream flavor, which of these would he/she can find their favorite or try them all. Perfect for
be? the players who have the most popular a large pizza party group.
answer get a point. You thought you were an
ice cream sundae but everyone else thought
you were rainbow sherbet? They get a point
(and you get to imagine yourself as sherbet).

better brunch ~ 31
Brunch in Style
From start to finish, a brunch to impress
Dont stress! In the next few pages, we will show you
how to host a stylish and memorable brunch that will
leave guests wondering how much you paid the party
planner. Our guide will help you with everything from
three weeks before right up to the big day.
By Jennifer Koppelman and Ashley Cirilli
 Theme & Decor
The first thing you need to do when planning out your party is to set the
right tone. Choosing a theme might be easy if you are planning a brunch for
celebrations such as Easter, Mothers Day or a wedding shower. Remember those
bad holiday sweaters from the 80s? Avoid your party looking like one by avoiding
bunny overload with decor at an Easter brunch, and the same goes for other
holidays and their stereotypical associations. And please, steer clear from going
overboard on decorations like balloons and streamers. For a Mothers Day brunch,
invite guests to bring pictures of their mothers. Place a picture frame at each place
setting where your guests can put their photos. You can find 4-by-6 frames and
inexpensive acrylic, which wont compete with other elements of decor at the
table, at your local craft store. You can use this same idea for a bridal shower. Tell
each guest to bring a picture of herself all dressed up (maybe even as a bride!)
from when she was a little girl. The photos at both events are sure to be the perfect
conversation pieces.
3 Weeks Before

Dont get caught waiting to the Invitations

last minute. Here are some tips After choosing your theme, you should decide whether or not youre
for planning ahead. sending invitations, what kind of invitations to send and who to
include. When addressing envelopes, include the guests title (Mrs.,
Dr., etc.) and first and last name. Add and guest if guests are allowed
to bring a friend or date. If kids are welcome, make sure to address the
envelope to the family. To save money, you might think about making
your own invitations at home or sending messages through social
networking websites. However, be careful when sending invitations
through e-mail and social networking sites. Make sure everyones
e-mail is correct, and if using social networking sites, make sure
that the guest youre inviting checks his or her messages regularly. It
depends on your budget, taste and the occasion, but remember that
snail mail invitations always feel more formal, official and special.

34 ~ better brunch
 Table Arrangements
Roses and babys breath scream frou-frou, stuffy
brunching if not done right. Fruit centerpieces in pretty
vases and bowls make a statement without breaking
the bank. Lemons, green apples and oranges work well.
Also, branch out with vases of tall grass and bamboo for
a more modern feel. Let your guests take home their
own mini-arrangements by having a tiny (3-4 inch tall)
vase in front of each place setting with the same flowers
from the larger arrangements, just cut down to fit the
vase. Create interest by filling clear vases with flowers
and another element like stones and marbles. Also, you
can be original by putting fresh flowers in things such
as empty wine bottles, water pitchers and sand pails for
your arrangements.
Tip: When in doubt, keep it subtle. Utilize the theme
in creative ways like the menu and the music. A good
way to keep things chic is to do a color theme. Think
outside of the brunch box of pastels, and go for unusual
pairings, such as chocolate brown and coral, lime green
and lavender and turquoise and mint green. Find
inspiration for your party color palette at betterbrunch.
com/brunchinstyle.

Menu
This is also the time to choose your
menu. Make sure that you are able to find
all the ingredients you need, and surely
your family wouldnt mind you testing
out the recipes you havent made before
(so there are no last minute disasters).
Decorations
If you plan on ordering flower arrangements, then
talk about your order with your local florist three
or four weeks ahead of time. For larger parties,
the florist will likely need more than three weeks.
Before picking your florist, ask around and maybe
order an arrangement before to see if it is what
youre looking for. Your florist might also have
some great ideas for color trends and creative
table-scaping ideas. Give your florist pictures of
the dinnerware that you are using and of the rooms
where you will be hosting your get-together. This
will help the florist choose the formality of the
arrangement as well as the feel. Will it be glamorous
or casual? Bohemian or city-chic?

better brunch ~ 35
 The Menu
With brunch, its hard to go wrong with the limitless possibilities from salty to sweet or health-conscious to the
ever-comforting classics. Finding the perfect menu for your own party can be overwhelming, so weve done the
work for you. Here are some recipes that are sure to please the crowd.

Ingredients: Directions: Spring Salad

1 cup walnuts chopped Chop Ramen
1 pkg. Ramen Noodles, uncooked Noodles. Brown
4 tbsp. unsalted butter walnuts and noodles
1 bunch of broccoli, chopped in butter and cool
1 head romaine lettuce on paper towels.
4 green onions Combine noodles
1 cup sweet and sour dressing and walnuts with
1 15 oz. can of mandarin oranges broccoli, romaine and
onions. Pour sweet
Sweet and Sour Dressing and sour dressing
1 cup vegetable oil over salad and toss to
1 cup sugar coat well. Drain can
cup wine vinegar of oranges and place
3 tsp. soy sauce on top of salad.

Ingredients: Directions:

Coffee Cake Blend together coffee cake

2 cups blueberries (fresh ingredients and add drained
preferred but frozen works blueberries. Combine
also) topping ingredients in a
2 cups flour bowl and mix together.
cup sugar Using two butter knives,
2 tsp. salt criss-cross and cut the
cups butter butter into small crumbles.
cup milk Put coffee cake mixture in
1 egg a 9-by-13 greased pan and
add topping. Bake for 45
Topping minutes at 375 degrees.
cup sugar Melt white chocolate in the
cup flour microwave for 1 minute or
tsp. cinnamon until melted, stirring every
cup butter 20 seconds. Drizzle white
Blueberry Buckle with White 1 cup white chocolate chips chocolate on top of coffee
Chocolate Drizzle cake.

36 ~ better brunch
 Berry
Bruschetta
Ingredients:
Ingredients: 1 French baguette
8 frozen hash butter
brown patties 1 cups diced cinnamon sugar
7 eggs strawberries cup raspberry jam
1 diced green cup of raspberries
bell pepper cup blackberries
2 cups milk
1 lb. cubed, Directions:
fully cooked
ham Combine berries together in a mixing bowl and
1 tsp. salt mix well. Cut bread into -inch-thick slices
3 cups grated and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees
sharp cheddar for 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Lightly
cheese spread butter onto bread slices and sprinkle with
cinnamon sugar. Heat jam in the microwave for 30
seconds until melted and stir. Drizzle over fruit.

Directions:

Place hash brown

patties in a single layer
in a 13-by-9-inch baking
Classic dish. Add pepper, ham
Brunch Bake and half of the cheese.
Beat eggs with milk and
salt. Pour egg mixture
on top and sprinkle with
the other half of cheese.
Bake for one hour at
350 degrees.

Dont Forget
Your freezer is your best It is likely you will be up early
friend. Both the Classic making sure everything is just
Brunch Bake and the Sausage how you like it or opening the
Bites can be made ahead of front door for the florist to bring
The Week of:

time and frozen then baked in his or her creations. Its best
on the day of the event. to have a small, protein-packed
The Day:

breakfast so you will not be a

The best thing you can do for
yourself the week before your
event is to set everything up
as if it were the very next day
and tell the kids not to touch.
This way, all you will have to
do the night before is confirm
your outfit and take a bubble
bath.
famished hostess who cannot
get away from the buffet table or
the hors doeuvres.
Tip: You can light candles for
an atmosphere bonus, but stay
away from scented ones that will
take away or even ruin the smell
coming from the oven!

better brunch ~ 37
 Asparagus
Sandwiches
Ingredients:
Ingredients: 1 pkg. dry Good
2 pkgs. crescent Seasoning brand
dinner rolls 3 loaves focaccia garlic and herb salad
1pkg. cream bread dressing
cheese 1 can asparagus 1 stick butter
1 can (4 oz.) 24 oz. pkgs. of cream 2 cans parmesan
chopped cheese cheese
mushrooms
2 chopped Directions:
green onions
1 tsp. salt Mix asparagus, cream cheese and seasoning.
1 large egg Spread mixture on rye bread and make
(beaten) sandwiches. Melt butter and dip sandwiches first
2 tbsp. poppy in butter, then in parmesan cheese. Repeat. Place
seeds sandwiches on a cookie sheet and bake at 425
degrees until crisp.

Directions:

Lay out crescent roll

dough. Mix together cream
cheese, mushrooms, onions
Savory and salt. Spread mixture
Mushroom over the dough, roll it up
like a jelly roll and slice
Puffs into 1-inch pieces. Brush
mushroom puffs with the
beaten egg and sprinkle
with poppy seeds. Bake for
10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Directions: Ingredients:

Combine all 3 eggs

ingredients 1 lb. cottage cheese
well.Grease mini- 3 tbsp. sour cream
muffin tins and fill 1 cup shredded cheddar
full.Bake in a cheese
preheated 375 degree cup Bisquick
oven for 20 minutes. tsp. salt
Serve at room cup melted butter
temperature. can chopped green chilies
Approx. 1 cup cooked
sausage

Sausage Mini Quiche

 Sips

Beverage Bouquet
Floral ingredients add flavor and style to brunchs classic cocktails

We want to take your

senses on a tour of
the flower garden.
Chamomile adds a
soothing twist on a
not-so-classic punch
recipe, while hints of
violet add color and
complexity to your
mid-morning bubbly.
Lastly, lavender and
mint play magically
with the sweetness of
hot chocolate that both
adults and children will
surely enjoy.

By Claire Hanan

Violet
Champagne
Ingredients:

4 oz. creme de violette or

violet simple syrup
1 bottle champagne
4 tbsp. lemon juice

Violet simple syrup:

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup violet buds

Directions:

Combine simple syrup and

champagne. Garnish with
curled lemon peel. Serve in
champagne flute.

40 ~ better brunch
Chamomile
Grapefruit Punch
Ingredients:

1 cup sugar or sweetener

4 cups club soda
2 cups chamomile-infused
white rum
cup lemon juice
2 cups grapefruit juice
Ice
Grapefruit slices
Lime slices

Directions:

Dissolve 4 sugar cubes in 1 ounce

of club soda (this generally involves
stirring to help the process). After
sugar cubes are dissolved, add
chamomile infused white rum,
lemon juice and grapefruit juice one
at a time and stir as needed.
Add ice and stir the punch until it is chilled. Strain punch into a glass (or make extra and strain into a punch bowl). Top
with 2 ounces club soda and garnish with grapefruit slices to serve.
*Chamomile-infused white rum is made by adding 4 bar spoons of chamomile tea to one bottle of rum. Let the concoction
sit for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Strain out the tea.

Lavender Mint Hot Chocolate

Because lavender is quite fragrant, adjust amount according
to preference. For a creamier hot chocolate, a one-to-one
ratio of dark to milk chocolate can be used.

Ingredients: Directions:

Hot chocolate: For whipped cream, place cold

2 cups whole milk cream, vanilla and sugar into a cold
3 oz. dark chocolate mixing bowl. Beat the mixture with
1 oz. milk chocolate a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks
tsp. lavender buds form. Refrigerate until ready for use.
4 sprigs of mint For hot chocolate, heat milk
and lavender over medium heat,
Whipped cream: whisking occasionally until the milk
cup cold heavy begins to simmer. Remove from
whipping cream heat and let lavender steep for 5
tsp. vanilla extract minutes. Strain lavender and return
or seeds from of a milk to saucepan.
whole vanilla bean pod Over medium heat, add
tbsp. granulated chocolate and mix until chocolate
white sugar is melted and incorporated. Whisk
milk mixture for 10-20 seconds
until frothy.
Pour into mugs or bowls and
serve with a dollop of whipped
cream and a sprig of mint.

better brunch ~ 41
 Chef-Worthy

Perfecting Eggs Benedict

Conquer this dish with tips from an expert

Ever wonder what it takes to make those

delectable dishes chefs perfect in the kitchen?
Chef Trey Quinlan, executive chef at Bleu
Restaurant and Wine Bar in Columbia, Mo.,
shares his tips and tricks for making eggs
Benedict at home that look and taste like you
got them from the bistro downtown.

By Valeria Turturro

Q: What are some of Bleus spins on eggs Benedict?

A: We have the Farm House Eggs Benedict. Instead
of an English muffin, its served on a buttermilk biscuit
with fried Virginia ham. We also have Smoked Salmon
Lox Benedict that is cured salmon, a poached egg and
herbed hollandaise sauce served on Jewish rye bread.
Still another variation is something thats like a Philly
cheese steak - flank steak with the hollandaise sauce Smoked Salmon Lox Benedict
thats like the cheese sauce. You can add cayenne
pepper to the sauce and some caramelized onions. Ingredients:

Q: Any tricks of the trade for making hollandaise sauce? pounds butter
6 egg yolks
A: If you place the eggs in a blender or food tsp. fine sea salt
processor and gradually add super hot melted butter, tsp. white pepper
its almost fool-proof. If it starts to separate and get
oily and messy, add lemon juice, or something else
tsp. Tabasco sauce
acidic, and slowly add more oil or melted butter. 1 lemon
Whisk it quickly, and the acid helps the oils bind 1 tsp. of chopped dill
together again. 1 tsp. of chopped parsley
1 tsp. of chopped tarragon
6 slices of rye bread, toasted and halved
Q: What is your favorite brunch dish? 9 oz. thinly sliced smoked salmon (lox)
A: Biscuits and gravy. Its so simple and filling and 12 poached eggs
such a comfort food. All you need is a glass of milk Directions:
and youre good to go.
Place the egg yolks in a mixing bowl over a double boiler.
Q: Why do you think brunch is so popular? Whip the mixture continuously until the mixture is thick
A: I think its that brunch usually consists of comfort enough to leave a trail across the surface. Place egg yolks
in small stand mixer with whip attachment; slowly add the
foods, and brunch is usually breakfast eaten on your
day-off at a later time. Theres never any rush to get to
melted butter and the remaining ingredients. Put 2 rye bread
a brunch event like there is trying to catch McDonalds halves on each plate and top equally with salmon. Place an egg
breakfast before 10 a.m. on each half, spoon sauce equally over portions and garnish
with chopped herbs.
42 ~ better brunch
better brunch ~ 37