Plan A Christmas Brunch This Year Instead Of Dinner

Family’s are often caught up in so many plans during Christmastime that sitting down together over a fancy dinner may not be a good fit. Your family members may be traveling and have to head out before dinnertime, or you may be expected to eat at several homes and can’t fill up on a big meal at each home. Or, you may simply need to watch the food budget and can’t justify the expense that a big sit-down meal usually entails.

When the family budget is tight, you may want to reconsider a big dinner. Sit-down dinners will normally cost quite a bit more than even the loveliest brunch. The reasons are numerous. First of all, you will most likely have a large main course, like turkey, duck, or prime rib. Then you’ll want to have all the sides that go along with your traditional fancy meal. And what about the desserts! Then there are the beverages. Typically, an evening meal will have wine or other expensive drinks. It’s hard to trim the expense from a traditional fancy dinner.

For families who are struggling trying to enjoy Christmas while sticking to a budget, a brunch may be just what they need. If travel plans and sharing meals at more than one household are a problem, a brunch may solve that problem, too. Take a look at some simple, yet delicious, ways that you can plan a meal that would suit such a festive occasion.

Brunch Casserole – There are many variations of this meal-in-a-pan, so you are sure to find a recipe that is quick and easy to make and serve. Some are made with potatoes, such as hash browns, or even bread cubes, then sausage or ham, egg, green pepper, and cheese are added to form a complete meal. This is normally refrigerated overnight and ready to cook in the morning.

Skillet Dish – With little fussing, you can create a delicious dish right in a skillet on top of your stove. Most people have seen or heard of a Frittata. Well, basically, this is a Frittata made with breakfast foods. You start with any starch like rice or potatoes, add celery, onion, tomato, sausage, or anything you like. Fry that up, and then pour on the eggs. You let it cook like that until the eggs are solid, then top with some shredded cheese if that suits you.

Muffin Tin Meal – Picture mini pot pies full of your favorite breakfast foods. You can start with some simple biscuits in a tube, roll them out flat, and line the muffin tin just like a pie pan. Then fill with sausage, a little hash browns, and crack an egg on top. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top and pop them in the oven until they are nice and golden brown and the egg is done. Or you can make up a batch of muffin mix and throw in some ham bits, or bacon, and cheese and turn a regular muffin into a whole meal.

Omelets – This item on your menu won’t work for you if you don’t want to cook while you have guests in your house. If your kitchen is far removed from the area where your family and friends will be mingling, you probably wouldn’t want to prepare omelets. However, if your house is set up with an open kitchen dining room area where you’ll be gathering right around the cooking area, then you may find this fun. Be sure to get all your prep work done well in advance so that you are ready. Wash and chop all the veggies you are using in the omelets and get the assembly line well organized so you don’t miss a beat.

Prepare a variety of food and fill your brunch buffet with lots of choices and your guests won’t be disappointed. Add a tray of fresh fruit, some coffee, tea, milk, and juice, and your brunch is complete. Don’t forget a simple assortment of cookies to finish off the meal. No fancy pies, cakes, or candy for brunch. Some of your guests could be on their way to another meal!

With just a few ideas for a simple brunch menu, you can put together a nice meal for Christmas. It’s all about spending time with the people you love and not spending your hard earned money on a big fancy dinner. Enjoy your brunch!

It’s easy to find lots of simple Christmas recipes and holiday party ideas when you visit us at FreeQuickRecipes.com. Plan your holiday menu today!

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