What is Brunch?
Brunch is a popular meal that combines breakfast and lunch, typically served on weekends. It's a more relaxed, leisurely meal that allows people to sleep in and take their time enjoying breakfast favorites into the late morning hours.
The word "brunch" is a portmanteau of "breakfast" and "lunch". While the exact origins are debated, brunch became popular in England in the late 1800s and gained favor in America during the 1930s.
Today, brunch is a cherished weekend tradition in many households and popular with friends, couples, and families. The social atmosphere and tantalizing menus make it appealing for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, weddings, and Mother’s Day.
Common Brunch Foods and Dishes
Brunch menus offer a tasty blend of breakfast and lunch items. Here are some classic brunch foods and dishes:
Eggs
Eggs are a breakfast staple, prepared scrambled, fried, poached, baked, or in omelets and frittatas. Eggs Benedict is a signature brunch dish - poached eggs and ham over English muffins with hollandaise sauce.
French Toast, Pancakes and Waffles
Brunch is the perfect opportunity to enjoy breakfast carb favorites like pancakes, French toast, crepes, and waffles topped with butter, syrup, fruit, and whipped cream.
Pastries and Baked Goods
From croissants, danishes, muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls to banana bread, coffee cake and biscuits, brunch is a chance to indulge in baked goods.
Meats and Seafood
In addition to breakfast meats like bacon, sausage and ham, brunch menus often include sandwiches, salads, and dishes featuring chicken, salmon, crab, shrimp and steak.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits like melon, berries, grapefruit and oranges make healthy and colorful brunch additions. Other veggie brunch options are salads, roasted potatoes, and avocado toast.
Drinks
Brunch drinks range from juices, coffee, tea, lattes, mimosas with orange juice and champagne to bloody mary cocktails. Bottomless drink specials are popular brunch offerings.
Benefits of Brunch
Beyond delicious food, brunch offers many benefits:
No Rush
Brunch allows a relaxed, unrushed meal. You can take your time socializing without having to run off to work or errands.
Sleeping In
The late morning timing of brunch permits sleeping in after a long work week. The extra bit of rest is refreshing.
Social Occasion
Brunch is a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, family, colleagues and couples over great food and drinks.
Appetizing Favorites
The tasty dishes from breakfast and lunch combine to offer satisfying comfort foods and tempting treats.
Creative Fare
Chefs get creative with one-of-a-kind signature brunch cocktails and fusion dishes you can’t find any other time.
Enjoy Weekends
Brunch highlights the weekend and provides relaxation before the work week starts again.
Types of Brunch
Brunch can take many different forms depending on the establishment and setting. Some popular types include:
Restaurant Brunch
Restaurants offer special brunch menus on weekends. Dishes are often higher end featuring smoked salmon, crab, filet mignon and elaborate egg preparations.
Hotel Brunch
Lavish buffet brunches are a signature of many hotels. Expect stations with made-to-order omelets, carving tables, mountains of pastries, and bottomless champagne.
Brunch Buffets
All-you-can-eat brunch buffets allow you to sample a wide array of breakfast and lunch fare all in one place for one fixed price.
Brunch Cruises
Enjoy brunch dishes while floating along the water. It’s a unique setting for brunch weddings, birthdays and special occasions.
Pop-Up Brunches
Pop-up brunch events at wineries, breweries, farms and outdoor spaces offer a more casual, picnic-style setting to mingle and dine.
DIY and Homestyle Brunch
Host your own brunch potluck for neighbors, family and friends. Keep recipes simple so you can enjoy time with guests.
Tips for Healthier Brunching
While brunch is known for decadence, there are ways to enjoy it in a healthier way:
Pick whole grains
Opt for whole wheat toast, whole grain pancakes, and 100% whole wheat English muffins and biscuits.
Add veggies
Fill omelets and scrambles with veggies. Top eggs and toast with sautéed spinach or avocado.
Boost protein
Choose Greek yogurt, nut butters, smoked salmon and vegetable-based protein sources like beans, lentils and tofu.
Easy on sweets
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a small taste of that decadent dessert but skip the overflowing stacks.
Watch portions
Brunch foods are typically higher in calories so be mindful of portion sizes, especially with sides like potatoes and meats.
Hydrate
Drink plenty of water and go easy on sugary juices and alcoholic drinks that add calories.
Take a walk
Prevent post-brunch sluggishness by taking a brisk walk outside to keep your circulation going.
Creative Brunch Recipes
While traditional dishes still reign supreme, chefs are getting very creative with modern twists on brunch. Here are some fun, innovative brunch recipe ideas to try:
Sweet Potato Hash
Wake up to beta-carotene and fiber in this veggie-packed hash made with sweet potatoes, peppers, spinach and eggs.
Shakshuka
This Israeli baked egg dish is a new brunch obsession. Eggs poach in a flavorful tomato, onion and pepper sauce.
Lox and Cream Cheese Waffles
Savory waffles are topped with whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, onions and everything bagel seasoning.
Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Pizza
A pizza crust gets spread with sausage gravy and piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese.
Huevos Rancheros Casserole
All the Tex-Mex flavors of huevos rancheros baked into a hearty layered casserole.
Everything Bagel Avocado Toast
Creamy avocado, hard boiled eggs, and everything bagel spice turn toast into a brunch superstar.
Where to Enjoy Brunch
Look for brunch hot spots in these locations:
Urban Restaurants
City restaurants put unique gourmet spins on brunch with specialty cocktails and theme menus.
Cafés
Quaint neighborhood cafés often have chef-driven brunch fare at lower price points.
Hotels
Sunday champagne brunches are a time-honored tradition at many luxury hotels and resorts.
Bed and Breakfasts
Charming B&Bs serve sumptuous brunches showcasing regional cuisine and fresh-baked treats.
Wineries and Breweries
Vineyards and breweries make rustic brunch settings with bottomless drink pairings.
Brunch for Any Occasion
Brunch makes a special meal any time of year for:
Mother's Day Brunch
Honor mom with a lavish brunch feast complete with floral centerpieces and mimosas.
Easter Sunday Brunch
Gather the family for a celebratory springtime brunch with bunny cakes and egg hunts.
Bridal and Baby Showers
Brunch showers are intimate daytime affairs with light dishes like tea sandwiches and scones.
Birthdays
Let the guest of honor feel special with brunch entrees served on festive, decorative platters.
Christmas Brunch
Brunch before opening gifts is a newer tradition with menu items like cranberry mimosas and stuffed French toast.
The Best of Brunch
Brunch brings people together over comforting, crave-worthy foods that let us unwind and savor the weekend. Keeping a balance of lighter and more indulgent choices allows you to healthfully enjoy this beloved dining tradition.
FAQs
What time is brunch usually served?
Most brunches are served between 10am and 2pm on weekends, with 11am to 2pm being the most popular timeframe.
How did brunch originate?
Brunch originated in England in the late 1800s and became popular in America in the 1930s. The word “brunch” combines “breakfast” and “lunch.”
Is brunch supposed to replace breakfast or lunch?
Brunch takes the place of both breakfast and lunch on weekends. It combines the dishes from both meals into one larger, relaxed meal.
What's the difference between brunch and breakfast?
Brunch is served later with more lunch-style foods added to the traditional breakfast dishes. Breakfast ends by 11am while brunch goes until 2pm.
What are some brunch cocktails besides mimosas?
Popular brunch cocktails include bloody marys, bellinis with prosecco and peach nectar, margaritas, Irish coffee, screwdrivers, and brandy or rum spiked coffee and tea.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment