Entertaining: Easy Spring Brunch

It's that time of year when everyone is starting to come out of their self imposed hibernation and the memories of the past holiday are starting to fade. Dust off those muffin pans and wash those napkins - it's time to have some fun - host a brunch for your friends!

Brunches can be a little daunting if you think you need to get up at sunrise to be ready for your guests. But with careful menu selection and a bit of time management brunches can be a breeze and an easy way to catch up with friends. Keep it simple with fresh fruits and homemade goodies mixed in with a few store-bought saviors.

Pulling It Together

With the menu sorted all you need to decide is where to have your brunch - in a kitchen and use the kitchen counter as a buffet, in a dining room, in a family or living room with a buffet table, or if you live in an area with a mild climate, outside.

When setting out your buffet table or even if you are serving off your kitchen counter, have dishes at different heights to create visual interest. This can be easily achieved by placing bowls or serving dishes upside down and then placing the serving dish on top. Make sure that the base bowl is large enough to support the platter otherwise it will topple.

If you decide on having everyone at a table, keep things informal by serving the food "family style" in platters and bowls down the center of the table. This way guests can help themselves and it also promotes conversation.

To decorate your table, use simple bunches of spring flowers, potted herbs or bowls of pastel colored candy that can be munched on after the main event. Make sure your centerpieces aren't too tall otherwise they will obstruct your guests view across the table.

Even though the brunch is an informal event, make your guest feel special, by using fabric napkins rather than paper.

Choose one cocktail to serve rather than many and have a non-alcoholic version of the cocktail for those not wanting alcohol.

Timetable

3-5 days before:

• Check to see if you have the necessary serving platters, serving bowls, tablecloths, napkins, vases and other accessories.
• Make sure all serving items are clean and ready to go.
• Check you have necessary pantry ingredients.
• Make granola and when cooled, store in an airtight container.

The day before:

• Shop for last minute items.
• Arrange flowers and put candy into bowls (keep the candy tucked away from rogue munchers).

The night before:

• Make the batter for the muffins, cover and refrigerate ready for baking in the morning.
• Set the table or counter with serving utensils, plates, silverware and napkins.
• Prepare cocktails and refrigerate (cocktails containing sparkling wine should be prepared at the last minute when guests arrive).

Morning of brunch - before the guests arrive:

• Prepare the hot beverages.
• Put the muffin batter in prepared muffin pans.
• Slice fruit and place on a platter.
• Place salmon on a platter with a bowl with the cream cheese.

When the guests have arrived:

• Bake muffins (they take approximately 10-15 minutes) when cooked place warm muffins in a basket or bowl covered in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• Spilt and toast the bagels and place in a basket or bowl covered in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• Set everything out on the table or counter so that guests can help themselves.