Easter is still four weeks away, but as a teaser for future party plan articles, I'm giving you some easy entertaining ideas and recipes to help you buck the traditional (i.e. the standard hotel Easter Brunch) and host your own, more personalized, Easter Sunday Brunch.
Tablescape: Use pastel tablecloths or lengths of pastel fabric (patterned or solid). Spread Easter grass along the midline of the table (if table is rectangular) or in a circle (if table is round). Scatter candy eggs, Easter eggs or jelly bean eggs, in small groupings, throughout the grass. Add some tealights in glass votives, and possibly a couple of fresh tulips laid amidst the candy eggs, for a cute, quick and seasonal Easter tablescape.
For those of you who like to cook, try the following recipes in this Easter Brunch menu:
- Fresh Fruit Platter with Roz's Divine Dip (recipe follows)
- Chilled Jumbo Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast or
- Wildberry French Toast Casserole
- Spinach & Sausage Egg Bake
- Selection of Bacon, Sausage and Ham
- Homemade Muffins, Nutbreads and Rolls
For those of you who like to entertain, but don't want to cook, try the following Easter Brunch menu of store-bought items. All you need to do is heat the food, display it on attractive platters, and graciously accept the compliments!
- Prepared Fruit Platter & Store Bought Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Chilled Jumbo Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
- Honeybaked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze; Dijon Mustard served on the side
- Quiche (from the frozen food section)
- Selection of Yogurt with Assorted Toppings (granola, raisins, mini chocolate chips)
- Bakery Fresh Rolls with Butter
- Bakeshop Muffins, Coffee Cake, &/or Cinnamon Rolls
Roz's Divine Dip (thank you to my friend Roz for sharing her sweet recipe with me)
- Softened cream cheese
- Marshmallow Fluff
- Heavy whipping cream
Beat equal parts of the items above, until light and fluffy.
So, grab your chocolate bunny, fill your basket with Easter Eggs, and enjoy the art of entertaining. It's time to invite your guests to your own personalized Easter Sunday Brunch celebration!
© Text by Janice Benoit, [March, 2006]. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
