Easter Brunch....Sunday Brunch.... Brunch Ideas and Recipes for All Occasions

When you are planning a brunch, you need to think of your guests and any allergies, food intolerance, special dietary restrictions, and food preferences.

I will give you some ideas on a well-rounded brunch that will please everyone- from picky children to health-conscious grandma!

For a typical brunch, you will need measuring cups, mixing spoons, mixing bowls, an oven, numerous size skillets and baking dishes, and serving plates. I would recommend using a blender, juicer, toaster, and griddle. I suggest using as many fresh ingredients as possible and don’t be afraid to be creative or try something differently than you’ve always done it.

First, decide on a budget. Are you making everything yourself, or are you going to ask people to bring items? Try to stick to your budget as closely as possible.

Decide if you are going with a theme or not. Themes are great for the kids, especially if you want to try to introduce them to new foods.

Plan your menu by looking through magazines, recipes books, and online- The best recipes are the ones passed down from generation to generation. Don’t let a great recipe pass away with your loved ones! Ask them for it before it’s too late, and if they are like my grandma, they didn’t write it down or measure anything, so you have to watch them and take notes!

Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of your family and others---I let my four-year-old help as much as possible in the whole process. She loves helping in the kitchen. She can look through recipe books, tell me what she likes and dislikes, she can also pour, stir, and mix. She loves going grocery shopping too.

After you decide on a budget, theme, and have recipes, create a master list of everything you need to buy. To get you started, I would (at the minimum) buy: milk (organic or lactose free), butter, eggs (or egg substitute), sausage, ham, bacon, (you can find vegetarian and vegan alternatives to the sausage, ham, and bacon) pancake mix (buckwheat or whole wheat), potatoes, bread, coffee, tea, maple syrup, fresh fruits (depending on season) - strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, oranges, and vegetables- carrots, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower.

For an inexpensive alternative to incorporating fruit in your brunch- buy canned fruit and a few packets of jello (sugar-free). Mix the jello and hot water, and before you are ready to set it in the refrigerator, pour in the canned fruit and cover. For extra creativity points, pour it in a bunny mold!

For a great substitute to store-bought juice, make your own freshly squeezed mixture! Try juicing orange, limes, lemons, and adding water and a little sugar. This drink is sure to satiate your thirst! Add other fruits to make this a custom designed signature drink!

If you want something quick, easy and healthy make egg salad, tuna salad, and/or chicken salad. You can make a “mock” tuna salad for vegans using garbanzo beans (chick peas) and vegan mayo; you can also make it low-carb by using iceberg lettuce for a wrap instead of bread!

A great tip is to print out the recipe cards so that everyone can see the ingredients that you used to concoct your deliciously sumptuous meal! This is especially important if you have someone attending that has severe food allergies- or is on certain diets- glucose-free, dye-free, or is diabetic.

Make a salad full of fresh garden vegetables! Keep it light and make your own vinaigrette!

Make sure you show off the Easter eggs that the kids dyed; let them decorate their own cookies and eat their personal creation!