I like to make a menu filled with sweet and savoury items; truly something for everyone.

Just add a holiday drink and you’re set to cheers with family and friends.

After making Christmas dinner, brunch the next day could feel like a lot.

No matter when you’re having brunch over the holidays, here are my best tips and recipes to create a carefree brunch for everyone to enjoy!

How to create a Christmas brunch menu

• Choose a main dish to build the Christmas brunch menu around; this could be sweet or savoury.
• Choose something baked that you can do ahead of time: this menu item could be scones, biscuits, Christmas baking, loaf or muffins.
• Add a fresh menu item like simple cut-up fresh fruit or a salad.
• Finish off the menu with a drink, it could be a cocktail or a non-alcoholic sip.

And, if you’re planning a much smaller Christmas brunch menu, I would recommend choosing just one main dish, a fresh menu item and a drink; keeping it really simple is best!

So now that you have some tips on HOW-TO create your menu from your custom cookbook, let’s get to the recipes!

Main Dish Brunch Recipes:

Spiced Pear Baked French Toast

Bacon, Mushroom & Spinach Quiche

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Savoury Apple Cheddar Tart

Mushroom Tart

Savoury Turkey Breakfast Sausage Egg Muffins

Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes

Shakshuka (Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce)

Baked Croissant French Toast

Baked Items for a Christmas brunch menu:

Easy Herb Drop Biscuits

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Sweet Potato and Cheddar Drop Biscuits

Apple Cinnamon Crumble Cake

Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Fresh Salads:

Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

Winter Citrus Chopped Salad

Warm Kale Salad with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Cocktails & Mocktails for a Christmas brunch menu:

Citrus Vodka Crush

Mulled Apple Cider

Lavender French 75 Cocktail

Easy Mulled Wine

And if you’re still planning Christmas dinner, here are Simple Christmas Dinner Ideas to help you.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Christmas Brunch Menu: Must Have Recipes appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

So I’ve curated my best summer brunch ideas you must make this season.

From sweet to savoury, it’s no doubt you’ll find a brunch recipe you’ll love.I don’t know about you but brunch is by far my favourite meal, especially on the weekend!

And during the summer months when the days are longer I like to take advantage of a more chill morning involving some of my brunch recipe favourites.

It can be overwhelming to decide on what types of recipes to make for brunch too.

So I’ve rounded up my best summer brunch ideas to help make choosing your brunch menu super delicious and much easier!

4 Easy & Creative Breakfast Toast Recipes You’ll Love

I love these breakfast toasts! There are 4 to choose from and easy to whip up. Perfect with a cup of coffee!

Summer Brunch Board

This summer brunch idea is perfect for using season ingredients. You can mix and match to your heart’s content to create a stunning board that is perfect for sharing.

Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes

My favourite pancake recipe ever! This pancake dough even does well overnight in the fridge so it’s ready to go for your weekend brunch plans the next day.

Stone Fruit Breakfast Crumble

Think of your favourite fruit crisp or crumble BUT for brunch! Using plums and peaches, this crumble comes together simply in one pan and then serve with yogurt if you choose.

Easy Baked Croissant French Toast

This recipe uses raspberry jam but you could use any summer jam to make this baked french toast.

Easy Breakfast Tacos

These breakfast tacos are always such a hit! It’s easy to use fresh ingredients you have on hand plus eggs and taco shells to make a delicious bite. You could even setup a breakfast taco bar for everyone to make their own.

Easy Skillet Coconut & Almond Granola

One of the most simple recipes, make this granola in a snap and then serve with milk or yogurt and fruit or jam.

Easy Herb Drop Biscuits

Use fresh herbs in these easy drop biscuits for the ultimate flavour. Serve with some simple scrambled eggs and bacon for a complete meal!

Mixed Summer Berry Goat Cheese Crostini

Use fresh berries to make an easy and tasty bite for brunch! These are so super satisfying and hit the sweet AND savoury mark.

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups

These oatmeal cups are perfect for a lighter summer brunch because they can be made ahead of time. Then simply serve alongside some fresh fruit and you’re all set.

Can’t get enough of brunch?!

Might I suggest a few cocktails that go perfect with brunch too:

Berry Rhubarb Kombucha Sangria

Lavender French 75 Cocktail

Citrus Vodka Crush

Well I think we’re ready for brunch season friends. I hope these summer brunch ideas help inspire you to get-together with family and friends to enjoy some delicious food!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Summer Brunch Recipes to Make This Weekend appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Is it the delicious combination of sweet and savoury recipes? Is it the bubbly mimosas?

The combination of recipes, simple decor and the people to enjoy the meal with encompasses why brunch is the best. So here’s some inspiration for your upcoming Easter Brunch at home!

I really think brunch is one of the best meals; there is so much opportunity to enjoy both sweet and savoury recipes!

You can enjoy the best of both worlds while providing an Easter Brunch that everyone will enjoy. Mix and match your menu with baked goods, a main dish and some delicious sides based on everyone’s tastes!

While we may not be gathering in large groups, there is still the opportunity to enjoy a delightful Easter Brunch with the ones you live with.

Easter Brunch Menu Ideas

Baked Goods:
Cranberry Chocolate Scones with Orange Glaze
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins
Saskatoon Berry & Lemon Scones

Main Dishes:
Bacon, Mushroom & Spinach Quiche
Swiss Chard, Goat Cheese & Leek Frittata
Savoury Apple Cheddar Tart
Mushroom Tart
Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes
Easy Baked Croissant French Toast

Sides:
Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad
Market Spring Vegetable Salad
Honey Butter Roasted Carrots and Radishes
Roasted Tomato, Arugula and Halloumi Salad with Pesto
Zucchini Fritters with Garlic Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Cocktails:
Grapefruit Lavender Spring Blossom Cocktail
Citrus Vodka Crush
Minty Cucumber Lime Sangria
Berry Rhubarb Kombucha Sangria
Minty Cucumber Gin Spritz

If you’re serving 2 people for Easter brunch keep things simple with one main dish and one side. Two of my favourite combinations are a quiche, frittata or tart with the market spring vegetable salad.

If you’re serving 4 people or more, make one of the baked goods ahead of time and then add a main and side dish.

Once you have your menu set, think about how you may want to set the table. But don’t feel like you have to get fancy! There are a few really simple ways to make the tablesetting feel special:

Easy Easter Brunch Tablesetting Ideas

Florals: Line the centre of the table with small vases or glasses with simple, colourful flowers.

Candy & Baked Goods Tray: Make a festive tray of baked goods mixed with colourful Easter chocolates or candies that can act as a centrepiece for the table.

Tableware: Even though we are celebrating in a smaller way, use the ‘good’ glasses, plates and cutlery! Serve drinks in your fancy glasses, whether they are mimosas or just your favourite sparkling juice.

However you decide to enjoy this time of year, adding a few special touches with what you have on hand can make it feel special.

And of course, enjoy the delicious menu you make too!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Simple and Elegant Easter Brunch Ideas appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Brunch is my favourite way to celebrate most occasions because you can serve sweet or savoury dishes OR both!

So let’s dive into brunch menu ideas that are sure to make your Mom smile.

A fabulous way is to start brunch with a cocktail! You could go with a classic rendition of a mimosa with your favourite fruit juice and prosecco or champagne, or try out my Grapefruit Lavendar Spring Blossom Cocktail.

Another fabulous drink that is perfect for a brunch crowd is my Minty Cucumber Lime Sangria; fresh and clean flavours that I think Mom will love!

Or check out my Connecting Over Cocktails round-up with fellow food bloggers for a variety of Spring-inspired sips!

Next is figuring out that perfect mix of dishes to serve; I love to pair greens like my Kale Apple Cheddar Salad with any brunch menu of sweet or savoury.

Some of my most popular brunch main dishes on the blog include…

Bacon, Mushroom & Spinach Quiche (this is my Mom’s very own recipe!)

Easy Baked Croissant French Toast

Spring Toast with Radishes, Pea Shoots & Feta

Cheddar & Thyme Biscuits

Summer Berries on Toasted Sourdough

Heirloom Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Sourdough Bread Board

And then why not finish off with a sweet treat or a treat you can gift with my Easy DIY Chocolates!

Or if you’d like to go with a baked good to finish brunch, these Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies are easy to make ahead of time and are always a hit.

There are endless combinations for Mother’s Day Brunch and what it comes down to for me is making a recipe with a lot of love and bringing everyone together around the table to celebrate Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom & all of the other Mom’s out there!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Recipes for Mother’s Day Brunch appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.