Food

Make time for brunch this weekend

January 30, 2015

Make time for brunch this weekend

I used to run a supper club, back when supper clubs were the ‘in’ thing. (Are supper clubs still in? I have no idea; I never go out.) I was a frustrated foodie reading about them everywhere and thinking, ‘I could do that’ – so I did. Ahh… to be young and full of enthusiasm.

I decided to serve brunch instead of supper and so I imaginatively called my supper club The Breakfast Club. This was in the pre-George era, when we lived in a tiny flat in the heart of Brixton. On sunny days, we could hold the supper club outside; in not-so-sunny weather we had to move it inside and that involved heaving our sofa into the bedroom and onto the bed as there was no other place to store it.

At first, I was mostly feeding friends and friends of friends, but gradually The Breakfast Club became reasonably successful. I ending up feeding brunch to lots of strangers, and I like to think most of them enjoyed it. Looking back at some of the menus, I must have benn absolutely bonkers. Each Breakfast Club involved three courses plus a take-home treat, and thus, hours of prep. Then of course I would add to the workload by deciding to make all my own chutney, marmalade, bread and even ice cream. Oh, and by designing all the menus and labels. Then, on the day itself, I would clean the house before setting up, then clean it again after we’d cleared up and washed up. Pete actually shudders whenever I mention The Breakfast Club now as he remembers the stress and the work that it entailed. However, for a while at least, it was all worth it: I loved spending hours in the kitchen putting everything into making this incredible food – even though it was hard work. Of course, it was nice getting the feedback afterwards as well.

brunch

Funnily enough, somewhere between moving into a new flat and falling pregnant with George, The Breakfast Club dropped off my list of priorities. As I mentioned above, Pete wouldn’t be too thrilled if I started doing it again and the reality is that it’s a rubbish way to make money, so you have to really want to do it. Even though I’m no longer cooking elaborate brunches for lots of people, I do still have a soft spot for a relaxed weekend breakfast. Lots of coffee, pastries, eggs, bacon and sausages – what’s not to love?

As a self-styled brunch expert, here are some of my favourite brunch recipes. I think brunch should definitely have a savoury and sweet element, and don’t forget to brew plenty of good coffee, squeeze your own fruit juice and serve fizz if you’re feeling really extravagant.

The best sweetcorn pancakes

Almond croissants – I love almond croissants and, as it turns out, they’re really easy to make with stale croissants (I’m not advocating you make them from scratch!).

Danish pastries – These pastries aren’t as hard to make as croissants, but they are quite involved. They’re definitely worth the effort though, so wait for a weekend when you have time to potter in the kitchen.

American pancakes – This is the pancake recipe I always use. It’s so straightforward that I sometimes even make them on a weekday morning. I often substitute the sugar with a mashed ripe banana.

Elderflower strawberries with pistachio yoghurt – It’s not the season for strawberries, but I’ve included this recipe here because it’s amazing. And the pistachio yoghurt is just so good.

Sweetcorn pancakes – These were legendary at The Breakfast Club and I like to think that I perfected the recipe by the end.

Creamy mushrooms on toast – Something a little different, but still very easy and looks impressive.

Fry-up – would you ever be disappointed with a Full English? Exactly. Try to use good-quality ingredients to make it taste really special.

Do you do brunch? What’s your favourite brunch dish or recipe?

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16 Comments

  • sabrina.m.russo@gmail.com'
    Reply Sabrina January 30, 2015 at 11:01 am

    I love brunch! My favourite meal for socialising – there’s something for everyone: there’s sweet stuff, there’s savoury stuff, there’s juices and clever smoothies if you’re feeling virtuous, strong coffee if you’re hungover, there’s bloody marys if you’re *really* hung over… Food for adults, food for children, a relaxed start and end time. What’s not to like. I’m excited to try your sweetcorn fritter recipe – I make sweetcorn and feta ones and I love them with a runny fried egg on top and a generous dash of tabasco 😉

    • Reply Rachel February 2, 2015 at 9:08 pm

      Yes, i’s so good isn’t it? I especially like the brunches that go on all day…

  • emma@emmainks.com'
    Reply Emma Copland January 30, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    I love the idea of a brunch club, I arrange a monthly brunch meetup for all of my London friends once a month but maybe I should take your lead and start cooking and inviting strangers too.

    http://www.emmainks.com/

    • Reply Rachel February 2, 2015 at 9:09 pm

      Do! Like I say, it’s a lot of hard work, but definitely worth it if you enjoy cooking.

  • jefnerf@hotmail.com'
    Reply Jen January 30, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    I tend to do brunch because I wake up late and it’s halfway between breakfast and dinner, but some of these sound really good so may have to try them this weekend! 🙂

    • Reply Rachel February 2, 2015 at 9:09 pm

      Let me know which recipes you try 🙂

  • singlemotherahoy@gmail.com'
    Reply Single Mother Ahoy January 30, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    Wow, that’s a lot of different breakfast choices! I used to make up batches of pancakes and freeze them, then defrost them in the toaster in the mornings… I might start doing that again actually!
    #TheList

  • jugglemum@gmail.com'
    Reply JuggleMum, Nadine Hill (@Businessmum) February 3, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Lovely ideas for breakfast treats there! I too love a relaxed, lazy, weekend breakfast. Your photos are beautiful. #TastyTuesday

  • purpledragontamer@gmail.com'
    Reply Alison February 4, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Love brunch and the idea of a breakfast club. Loving your ideas

  • laurapowellcorbett@gmail.com'
    Reply Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks February 5, 2015 at 10:39 am

    I love brunch, its taken on a new meaning in Dubai, but I love the English variety! You can’t beat a good late brunchy breakfast food!

    • Reply Rachel February 5, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Ooo… what’s brunch in Dubai like?

  • hannah@mumsdays.com'
    Reply Hannah Mums' Days February 6, 2015 at 8:40 am

    That looks bloody gorgeous!! I LOVE brunch and I tend to eat something brunch like for most meals 🙂 I’ve got the fear with regards to hosting though…I have grand ideas of doing more entertaining in our new house, as it’s much better suited to having more than 3 people in it, hopefully I’ll get over the fear and host the odd brunch. I’d like that!

    Thanks for linking up to #Thelist xx

    • Reply Rachel February 7, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Yes, I’m a big fan of breakfast for dinner 🙂 I love hosting lunch as it’s so laidback and you don’t have to go mad cooking elaborate food – everyone loves a fry up!

  • Mum@honestmum.com'
    Reply HonestMum February 7, 2015 at 10:29 am

    What a stunning breakfast, I’ve pinned. Why not add a Pinterest button to all your images too? Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays

    • Reply Rachel February 7, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      Ooo thanks for the tip!

    Leave a Reply to Sabrina Cancel Reply