As a food lover, there is something about brunch that just hits differently. From the companionship aspect of the meal to the food itself, there is something about brunch that just satisfies a lot of things for me. However, planning a brunch at home can seem daunting.
Luckily for me and our readers, we were able to get some interesting insight into how to potentially elevate a brunch gathering from New York Times best selling author Carolina Gelen. While we love her recipes from her cookbook, Pass the Plate, sometimes you just need a bit more guidance when it comes to getting ready for a gathering, no matter how intimate it may be.
Thankfully, we were able to ask Carolina Gelen for some of her tips and tricks when it comes to putting on a brunch and it might make things easier (and more elevated) in the future.
Carolina Gelen shares her tips on putting together a next level brunch
Guilty Eats: How do you spice up brunch to keep it fun and interesting?
Carolina Gelen: "Letting the season dictate my brunch menu, and incorporating as many seasonal flavors as I can in my spread, is one of my favorite ways to spice up brunch throughout the year. I love using traditionally sweet and savory ingredients in new ways and then extending those ingredients to my coffee bar for unique espresso-based beverages. For example, strawberry season is at its peak right now, so I wanted to host a strawberry-themed brunch to celebrate the wonderfully fragrant and ripe strawberries we can get our hands on. I made a variety of strawberry-forward dishes, from homemade strawberry jam, to a strawberry tiramisu cake roll, to strawberry sandwich cookies, to my signature Starbucks® by Nespresso® Strawberry Iced Latte using their new Iced Double Espresso Vanilla capsules (inspired by this Starbucks Coffee At Home recipe). You can craft a food and coffee menu around any signature ingredient – from date caramel or burnt honey to an even more savory flavor, especially with the convenience and versatility of the new Iced Double capsules as your base. The possibilities are truly endless."
Guilty Eats: What are some of your favorite tips for making brunch easy?
Carolina Gelen: "Make a plan! Making a detailed plan a week ahead of brunch is what will make the process smooth and streamlined. Craft your menu, pick a signature coffee drink, plan out the coffee station, make your grocery list, choose the glassware in advance, measure ingredients for the recipes you will be making—the more details you can cover, the easier the hosting experience will get. One of my favorite ways to make delicious signature coffees without stress is with Starbucks by Nespresso Iced Double Espresso capsules; they’re super easy to use, and the coffee is versatile, flavorful and high-quality. I often invite my guests to customize their own drinks as they please at the coffee station. The new capsules come in Vanilla, Caramel and Blonde Espresso Roast and are expertly crafted for iced beverages, making it easy for guests to customize their coffee drinks without the stress!"
Guilty Eats: What dishes are a must have for a brunch gathering?
Carolina Gelen: "When I think of brunch, quiche and coffee are my non-negotiables. Quiche really feels like the perfect brunch food: it’s the perfect dish to serve to a crowd and so easy to get creative with— I love incorporating as many seasonal veggies in the filling and play around with different pastry styles — plus it’s a great dish to prepare in advance. Separately, a signature coffee drink is such an easy way to elevate at-home hosting and tie all dishes together at brunch. No matter the roast of the beans, milk and creamer varieties or syrups (this is also where you can get creative!), a good cup of coffee rounds out brunch and creates a little extra moment of connection with your guests."
Guilty Eats: What are some tips for saving money when making brunch for a larger group?
Carolina Gelen: "My biggest tip for saving money when hosting larger brunch parties is to make as much as you can at home: I’m talking pastries, desserts, breads, savory bites, and, of course, coffee drinks, as well as coffee add-ons. Once you get to doing it, you’ll realize just how easily things come together. For my previously mentioned strawberry-themed brunch, I made a variety of coffee add-ons at home for my signature Starbucks strawberry lattes like homemade strawberry milk, strawberry syrup and decorative strawberry cookies to garnish the drinks. The final result felt so intentional and thought out, my guests appreciated every detail."
Guilty Eats: What would you consider to be a comfort dish during brunch time?
Carolina Gelen: "A sweet, buttery pastry will always be my comfort dish during brunch time, I always make sure to have a variety of them at any brunch gathering. If I were to choose one, it would be a fresh slice of date-chocolate babka. There’s nothing I love more than pairing a slice of it with my current go-to iced latte. I’ve been enjoying the Starbucks by Nespresso Iced Double Espresso Blonde Roast, over ice, with a splash of whole milk, its smooth flavor complements the rich and sweet date-chocolate combo incredibly well."