Shishak - Beach House Brunch 100 Delicio

Also by Lei Shishak Beach House Baking Copyright 2016 by Lei Shishak Photographs copyright 2016 by Chau Vuong and Brent Lee All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. Cover design by Laura Klynstra Cover photo credit: neat Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-0289-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-0290-5 Printed in China BRUNCH (n): a late morning meal that is often
shared with family and friends. Contents Introduction Ive always believed food tastes better when shared with others, but we so often struggle to make the time to gather with friends to partake in it. These days, its hard to find a moment when every friend is free and all can agree on a time and place to meet.

This is followed, of course, by the ever-present dilemma of what to eat: paninis, pasta, salad, pancakes, seafood, steak, vegetarianand is anyone bringing dessert? Thanks to social media, sending a text once a month and following someone are enough to maintain a friendship. We all know deep down that this isnt enough and that gathering together is imperative. Brunch is the perfect remedy, and let me tell you why: The Food. Something about the combination of breakfast and lunch is quite appealing. Its lighter than a full-scale breakfast and more decadent than a lunch. And the variety! You can go heavy on the sweet with dishes like my Bananas Foster Pancakes and Tiramisu Crepes, or go savory with dishes like my Italian Meats Quiche and Eggs Milanese.

Lets Celebrate. More often than not, brunch is a celebration. Be it a celebration of friendship, an engagement, a promotion, or a reunion. Brunch is the happiest meal come to life. Not Too Late, Not Too Early. As any friend of mine will tell you, Im not an early riser.

So for my weekends, brunch is the most ideally timed meal for me. Its not too early that I cant sleep in, and its not too late that I cant finish my errands afterward and make evening commitments. Its the Weekend. Brunch is a sure sign that your weekend has arrived. Its time to relax, kick back, and eat some delicious food. However, brunch can be any day of the week.

All that matters is that youre present and ready to eat. The recipes in Beach House Brunch are appropriate for any home cook. Theyre straightforward and call for everyday ingredients. As you can imagine, as a professional baker, Im in the kitchen a lot, both at home and at work. When hosting a brunch, I prepare dishes that allow me to spend more time with my guests instead of sweating over a hot stove. I hope you enjoy these dishes, which I often make for my beach house guestswhich now includes you! Setting the Table Im often asked for easy tips for setting a table.

With just a few simple steps, you can create the perfect table setting for your brunch. Ive put together a checklist of items to consider that will help you along the way. * Color: The colors you use will depend on the type of brunch you are hostingformal, casual, festive, morning, afternoon, etc. In general though, I recommend you choose up to two colors and stick to them. If you choose one color, try using different shades of that color. Once a decision is made, use those colors for select few items.

For instance, if you choose to go with teal and coral, consider using a bold teal runner against a white tablecloth. Toss in some coral napkins and teal napkin rings. Then thats itdont overdo it. Small pops of color go a long way. As with everything, there are of course exceptions. * Dishware: Shallow bowls and platters are ideal so guests can see the food you worked so hard to prepare. * Dishware: Shallow bowls and platters are ideal so guests can see the food you worked so hard to prepare.

I prefer solid color dishes that provide a nice backdrop for the food; patterned dishware detracts from the food. For salads, I recommend clear bowls. * Glassware: Invest in quality stemware and sturdy drinking glasses. If your dishwasher is like mine, soap spots on glassware are the norm. Take the time the night before to polish your glassware with a soft cloth. * Plates: Choose medium to large plates for your guests to use. * Plates: Choose medium to large plates for your guests to use.

You dont want them to feel restricted in any way; they should feel free to eat as much as they want. If youre using disposable plates, choose sturdy ones with a lip. Oh, and its perfectly fine to mix and match plate designs. Theyre great conversation starters. * Utensils: Even if you choose to use disposable plates, I always prefer to use silverware. Make sure to polish them the night before, as this is a task that always seems to be overlooked on the day of the brunch.

During the meal, I never fail to somehow exchange, misplace, or misuse the utensils, so I always keep a canning jar full of extra utensils on the table just in case. * Flowers: Flowers are an easy way to make your brunch special, but you have to use them wisely. Most flower centerpieces prevent guests from seeing each other and can limit conversation. They often get knocked over during the meal and deter guests from sampling dishes blocked from their sight or out of their reach. While they do work well on a brunch buffet table as a backdrop, if youre setting a dining table, I recommend using short, clear glasses filled with blooms, pebbles, and water. * Candles: I like tall, skinny candles for brunch buffet tables, but make sure to place them in the back behind the food so they arent disturbed. * Candles: I like tall, skinny candles for brunch buffet tables, but make sure to place them in the back behind the food so they arent disturbed.

Votive candles on a dining table are particularly lovely for a late autumn brunch. Choose lightly scented or unscented candles if you plan to place them near food. * Tablecloth and Napkins: Unless you have a table whose artistic design must be seen by all or a varnished wood table, I typically recommend using tablecloths. Aside from protecting your dining table, a tablecloth dresses up the occasion and buffs any noise caused by plates and glasses clanging around the table. Cloth napkins are the way to go for brunch. * Music: Playing soft music in the background is always a nice touch, especially once people start eating. * Music: Playing soft music in the background is always a nice touch, especially once people start eating.