Hosting a brunch always sounds so fun, but as food lovers and entertainers, we tend toward more versus less; and, we sometimes regret it when the day comes. But we get it! Brunch is a loaded meal, with some people expecting sweet breakfast dishes, like pancakes and French toast, with others gearing up for savory egg dishes or even lunch-time regulars, like chicken salad sandwiches or a mixed salad. A table might seem incomplete without croissants or pastries, and you don’t want to plan a whole spread without any fruits and vegetables!
Whatever your slippery slope may be (we find it is often a last-minute panic-addition of something complicated like cinnamon rolls), hear us the next time you extend an invitation: You can serve only one thing for brunch. There are, luckily, no brunch police.
For some reason, breakfast and brunch parties tend to get overcomplicated. If you consider a dinner party, it’s very typical to serve one meal. Maybe a main course plus a handful of side dishes, and everyone enjoys the same food. It works. No one complains that there wasn’t enough variety (though if they do, we suggest crossing them off the invite list for next time)! The same can be true for brunch, and here are our go-to simplified brunches that still feel special and full of effort:
Rösti
We will never stop recommended rösti for brunch. Made sort of like a latke, this crispy and tender potato pancake is the perfect canvas for nearly anything you can imagine. Top with smoked salmon, dill, and capers; warm apple compote and crème fraîche; soft-scrambled eggs and caviar; gooey raclette cheese and a fried egg; sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. The list is really endless, limited only by what you think tastes great with potatoes (so, limitless).
Rösti can be prepared as small, individual servings or as a large cake that you slice and plate. With toppings, it makes an impressive centerpice. And best yet, you can make them ahead of time and then recrisp in a hot oven just before serving. Accompany your rösti + toppings with a nice green salad for a savory vibe or a seasonal fruit salad if sweet is what you’re after (or, why not both?). You could make a plate of crispy bacon or griddled sausages, if you like, but we don’t think you would miss it.
Polenta
There is no occasion where creamy polenta is unwelcome, and we particularly love serving it for brunch. Not only is it a little unexpected, but like crispy potatoes, polenta is a rich and savory base layer for whatever you love. Any of the rösti toppings would be incredible, but we also enjoy it topped with eggplant caponata; grilled shrimp with an Italian-style salsa verde (like the one in this bean recipe); sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and lots of Pecorino Romano; figs and honey with a dollop of fresh ricotta. It’s cozy and comforting, and while completely brunch appropriate, probably a treat that people don’t enjoy that often.
Like any of these ideas, your polenta can be served alongside a simple green salad or another green veggie, like broiled asparagus or charred broccolini. Fresh, in-season fruit is also always welcomed. And no need to gild the lily! A beautiful bowl of fresh berries or a plate of sliced ripe peaches or plums speak for themselves.
Tartine
A French word that refers to toast topped with sweet or savory toppings, tartines serve the same general purpose as the rest of this list: easy-to-prepare base for virtually anything. Tartines can be super simple, with just creamy ricotta and preserves, to much more elaborate presentations with spreads, eggs, and condiments. We like both, and this is a great opportunity for you to do a little big extra (since we know you want to). Since the toast requires little effort beyond buying, slicing, and toasting (with salted butter, please), you can prepare a few toppings for people to mix and match as they please. Soft, French-style scrambled eggs are an incredible rich bottom layer that you can serve alongside smoked salmon, crispy bacon or ham, roasted veggies, avocado, or even lightly-pickled tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Include a few condiments that suit your topping, like fig jam, chile crisp, tomato chutney, or honey (this is a great time to pull out a special bottle you may have impulse-bought). As an easy addition, lay out some sweet-leaning prepared ingredients, like the aforementioned ricotta and preserves, chocolate-hazelnut spread, and fresh fruit.
Depending on what you serve, you may not need any sides. But beyond a nice salad and seasonal veggies or fruit, tartines are lovely served alongside soup (never miss an opportunity to dip!), whether hot or chilled.
Pizza
Yes, pizza! Or flatbreads if that feels more brunch-appropriate. Whatever you call it, homemade pizzas are an underrated entertaining food. Not only can they be made ahead (par-bake in the morning, then finish right before serving), but they can be as unique as you’d like. Obviously on theme (bottom layer + toppings), pizzas can be sweet or savory, cheesy or not, with a host of options that suit special diets, picky eaters, and anyone in between. Don’t overlook the impact of a homemade classic Margherita pizza, especially in the summer when fresh tomatoes and basil are in season. Or, top your pizzas with anything we’ve already discussed, including chocolate-hazelnut spread or figs and honey! See what looks best at your market and work with that, or visit a specialty market to browse for local cured meats and interesting cheeses that you can add before or after baking (ask your cheesemonger for recommendations). Make a variety of pizzas so everyone gets a bite of something different.
You may not need anything on the side of your pizzas, but think about what you like to eat with yours. A chopped Caesar salad, some pickled veggies as a condiment. Maybe make a batch of homemade ranch dressing or a creamy garlic-butter if your friends like to dunk. Save your energy for the small impactful things that your guests will remember, long before they recall that there were or were not croissants on the table.
