Easter Brunch With Easy Recipes!
Easter Brunch!
Easter is a very special time of the year and while the Captain and I attend church on a regular basis….I especially like going to Sunrise Easter Services. Over the years, I have attended Sunrise Services on the top of a hilltop overlooking the Bennington State Lake in Kansas…and on the golden prairie among the wildflowers in Texas….and in the mountains among the tall pines of the high mountain desert of New Mexico. Mustn’t forget the Lovely Sunrise Services near Puget Sound in misty Seattle,…..and now that we live in Florida….where else to have Sunrise Services, but right on the beach. It is really beautiful with the aqua colored ocean waters lapping on the white sands of the beach… as our Pastor retells the Easter Story…of Jesus. However in recent years, after several Hurricanes, our Sunrise Service is now held in our church’s parking lot. (oh well🥰 ) After the Sunrise Service, we like to return home and prepare a wonderful Easter Brunch, which has included friends/neighbors in years past. The brunch described below (with three printable recipes, plus one) was one such brunch.
Flower Petal Dishes
These flower petal dishes are over 30 years old and I have never seen this pattern before (or since) I purchased them…so I save them for special occasions and an Springtime Easter Brunch is certainly special. I started with a pretty green tablecloth, matching napkins and shell napkin rings. My centerpiece is a Tea Pot, Creamer and Sugar Bowl which match the dishes. I fell so in love with this pattern that I purchased every piece that came with it. The dinner plates, salad plates and berry bowls are pale pink and lovely lavender, which I alternated at each setting. Bringing in the yellow handled flatware brought a bit of sunshine to the table. The coffee/tea cups sit on green leaf shaped saucers. Little white bunnies hold name cards next to the green glassware. I made the name cards out of pastel construction paper. You might notice the little birds in a nest filled with a few speckled jelly beans in the berry bowls, which was my bit of whimsey.
Now to the brunch.
The first prep began with a simple Very Berry Parfait that I put into pretty pink parfait glasses…I used blueberries and strawberries but you could certainly use whatever berries you prefer. I layered a granola mix in the bottom of the glass and added a plain Greek Yogurt and the berries. Easy Peasy and delish!
The second recipe was a Turkey Hash.
I browned turkey sausage and turkey bacon and then added bell peppers and onions and potatoes.
Another easy dish because you start the ingredients on top of the stove and then pop in the oven to finish the cooking. With the Very Berry Parfaits in the fridge and the Turkey Hash in the oven, it was time to prepare the filling for the French Toast.
The filling was made of softened cream cheese and sliced almonds…and here is the best part….Bonn Maman 4 Fruits Preserves. YUMMY! Toasting the almonds gives a richer flavor.
I really like these French Jams and preserves, but you could certainly use a jam of your choice. Peach! Strawberry! Cherry! Endless possibilities. I cut a slit in thick slices of Challah Bread, which is a wonderful Egg Bread….and put the cream cheese filling into the slit.
I dipped the bread in beaten eggs with almond milk and browned them in a cast iron skillet. Just look at a bit of the wonderful filling oozing out! So Good! If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a griddle or grill would work nicely too. The only “problem” I had was the filling kept oozing out, so watch how much of the filling you put inside the bread. (I tend to over fill anything that requires a filling, usually less is more). 🥰
I put the browned slices of French Toast on a rack set atop a sheet pan and popped them in a 200 degree oven along with the Turkey Hash. Then all I had to do was pour the orange juice, set out the Keurig for individual cup-coffee making, bring in the gallon jar of Sun Tea “brewing” on the Lanai and pick a few sprigs of mint from my Herb Garden and Presto, a very nice easy Brunch was made. (Recipes Below)
Matthew 28:6 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay”
I just had to include these Rabbit Head cookie cutter candy cut-outs I made about 10 years ago. They were so easy to make using white almond bark, pastel mini marshmallows and Pastel Sprinkles. The ‘recipe’ is so simple. Using a medium size glass bowl, melt almond bark in microwave (watch to not scorch) stir occasionally as it is melting. Remove from microwave and quickly mix in mini marshmallows. Immediately, pour onto a lightly greased sheet pan (or use parchment paper) and Sprinkle with Pastel Sprinkles. Use cookie cutter of your choice and remove candy rabbit heads with spatula to cool on rack. You can mix everything together or add after melting bark. But this was/is my favorite method. You can find the sprinkles here. I have to find these on-line as many places do not have the pastel sprinkles or the pastel mini marshmallows. Click on the two links to check out what I use. I like the plain marshmallows altho they have them ‘fruity’ too.
All the elements of my table setting were purchased many years ago. but I will list the sources as an FYI.
Sources: Flower Petal Dinnerware: Kansas City Sun Fresh Super Market, ……..Shell Napkin Rings: Pier 1,……. Tablecloth, Napkins, and Bunny Name Card Holders : Bed Bath & Beyond, …….Green Water Glasses, Egg Shape M&M’s Bowl: Dollar Tree,………Rabbit/Egg Salt & Pepper Shakers and egg candles in marshmallow photo: Hobby Lobby……Pink Parfait Glasses: ……Pottery Barn…….Yellow Handled Flatware: World Market…..Little birds in a nest: Michael’s
I hope you all have a Blessed Easter and enjoy your family and friends!🥰🌸🦋
- One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup Bonne Maman 4 Fruit Preserves or your choice of jam
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds (I like to toast my almonds, but it is not necessary)
- 4- two inch slices of Challah Egg Bread
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Pure Maple Syrup on the table
- Preheat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over low heat and preheat your oven to 300 degrees
- Combine the eggs, brown sugar and almond milk beating with a whisk to incorporate the ingredients and set aside.
- Combine the cream cheese, preserves and almonds in a small bowl (I don't like my filling to be real smooth...so I do it by hand, but you could certainly use an electric mixer for a smoother mix)
- Make a slit in the top or bottom of the slice of Challah to form a pocket.
- Scoop the filling into each slit of a slice of Challah and dip each slice carefully into the egg mixture, turning to coat evenly
- Spread the butter across the bottom of a cast iron skillet or griddle and cook the French Toast until golden brown on both sides. (watch your heat...I like to use a medium heat)
- Transfer the cooked French Toast to a baking sheet fitted with a baking rack and place in a 200 degree oven until serving.
- Serve with plenty of warm pure maple syrup.
- I really like the Bonne Maman 4 Fruit Preserves from France...you can find this at WalMart...altho it is a bit more expensive than many brands of jams and jellies....but the flavor is definitely worth it.
- Challah Egg Bread is available for sure at Easter Time, but it can be found at some stores year 'round. OR you could use a Brioche or any loaf of bread that you can slice yourself. 🙂
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Turkey Sausage
- 4 slices Turkey bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1/2 cup of chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of chopped yellow or orange bell pepper
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 4-5 medium sized Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into small pieces (you choose the size you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon of Taco Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan (I use my shallow enameled cast iron brazier)
- Raise the heat a bit and add the turkey bacon pieces and brown lightly, add the turkey sausage, bell peppers, onion and garlic, and cook until slightly soft
- Be sure to break up the turkey sausage as you cook as it tends to clump...you can use a fork or the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the potatoes and sprinkle with taco seasoning,salt and pepper.
- Cook for about 5 more minutes mixing occasionally
- Place the brazier pot into a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 200 degrees until ready to serve
- This Hash can hold in the oven for 30 minutes so it is a great "prepare ahead" hash.
- The Taco seasoning gives a bit of Mexican flavor so you could easily serve a salsa on the side
- 1 cup of granola (I use Great Grains cranberry almond crunch whole grain cereal)
- 1 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt (I use Fage natural Greet Yogurt)
- 1 cup blue berries (choose whatever berries you prefer, raspberries and blackberries)
- 1 cup of sliced strawberries (Once I used bananas because that is what I had on hand)
- Layer the granola into 4 glasses or parfait dishes (about 1/4 cup of granola into each glass)
- Add the yogurt, blue berries, another layer of yogurt and top with strawberries and another dollop of yogurt.
- Or choose your own layering...it is all good no matter the order of ingredients.
- Sprinkle a little granola on the top and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
- If you don't want to use a pre-made granola, you could make your own by using a couple cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of pecans, 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup of peanuts, And .... 1/2 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Bake on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees (be sure to stir frequently). Use the proportions you like ...but you get the idea.
What a lovely Easter you had! I love your darling flower petal dinnerware. Perfect for Easter.
Thank you for all the recipes. I am going to try that hash!
Hope you are resting after a few busy days for you!
Happy Tuesday!
What a wonderful way to kick off your Easter morning. It sounds beautiful — and so is your brunch and pretty table. The recipes all sound delicious. I wish I’d known about those bunnies last weekend and I would have made them for the Munchkins (who probably didn’t need any more sugar!) Well, there’s always next Easter! Have a beautiful holiday week.
Hi Jeanie….yes, those almond bark bunnies are so easy to make and fun to eat. The Captain likes it when I chop up pecans and dried fruit (particularly apricots) in the melted white almond bark….and I like it too. Have a wonderful Easter my friend…I don’t know how my calendar is moving so fast. LOL…seems like we just had Christmas!🥰🌸🦋🐇👒🐥
Kari, What a lovely tablesetting you have for Easter with those petal flower dishes. I noted that you found them in a Kansas City grocery store and was delighted to hear the story behind that when you answered Pam. All the pastel colors are so pretty and the yellow flatware is so sunny looking. Speaking of colors, I guess you may have seen some pretty Easter sunrises over the years. Your brunch menu sounds wonderful.
Rooting for the last Big 12 team standing. How about that Mullen’s of UConn thrilling last second shot?
Thanks Jan for your kind comments. And yes, I was watching the UConn/Duke game and was amazed at that last shot from the middle of the court. Wow! I really thought Houston and Iowa State would end up in the Final Four…of course I thought KU would pull off a miracle. Yep! Now we have to support the Big 12. I do have Arizona in one of my brackets. Have a great and wonderful week my friend. Hugs!🌸🦋👒
Kari, thank you for this beautiful post. I am completely smitten with your flower petal dishes. They are perfect for your Easter brunch. Your food looks delicious, thank you so much for sharing the recipes. We have an Easter lunch in the back garden each year after church, and I’m going to add your lovely yoghurt parfaits to the table. Wishing you a blessed Easter! Xo Lidy
Thanks Lidy and I think you will like the parfaits…so easy and adaptable to just about any fruit. The Captain and I enjoy being outside, especially in our courtyard and so I know your lunches in your back garden after church are always splendid. Happy Easter….as we celebrate His resurrection! Hugs my friend.🌸🦋🐥
Oh Kari, what a beautiful Easter table you e shared. I can see why you fell in love with those petal dishes. Aren’t they perfect for Spring and Summer?? Thank you for sharing your recipes with us. Your brunch just sounds wonderful, and so do your sunrise services you attended in the past. Happy Easter blessings to you and your Captain.
Thanks Kitty for stopping by…you are so sweet with your encouragement. Some might think it is silly to be so attached to DISHES but they make me smile when I bring them out for Easter. Chalk it up to being the eternal romantic….I do love a sunrise service…even if we are in a parking lot. 🥰 Have a Blessed week dear one.
Good morning Kari. I am smitten with the Flower Petal dinnerware, it is stunning and is perfect for your Easter brunch. May I be a guest and bring my RM with me? The food looks delicious, I am a fan of French toast. Thanks so much for sharing the recipes. I so enjoyed reading of all the lovely places you have attended Easter sunrise services! He is Risen!!
Wishing you a wonderful week and a blessed Easter, my friend! ✝️
Pam, you and your RM will always be welcome wherever the Captain and I land…Mi Casa Es Su Casa!
Many years ago, I was headed into our local grocery store (in Kansas City) and the Florist lady was sitting up a small display in the store entry (of all places)…along with a few Peace Lilies and as soon as I saw the dishes, I knew I had to have them. She was still unwrapping them and I asked her if they were for sale or part of a Easter Display. She said ‘yes, she had just found them herself and thought they were pretty.’ I took/bought everything she had from her display and over the years I have looked for other pieces but there are really no identifying marks and I have not been successful. I usually bring them out at Easter…I luv ’em!🥰🌸
Matthew 28:6 (NKJV): “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Hugs, Blessings and much love my dear friend.🙏🏻
Thanks Ross for stopping by….yes, it was a busy day and then on Monday at 5 pm…we hosted our New Residents Group Potluck….So a very busy 2 days.
It sounds like you had a relaxing wonderful time….good for you. Your ears must have been burning as I was talking about you with that group….we were discussing accents and how the English have such a way with words. All good stuff of course….;)
Miss you my friend…and looking forward to seeing you again.
Luv ya
Kari
Hi Kari, sounds like you had a busy day entertaining, I hope you managed to slot in a lazy bath or a moment of reflection in your secret garden too.
I met some friends for brunch on Easter Sunday in a lovely historic town just up the road. It was lovely to relax chat and work our way through two pots of tea and endless coffee too. However I did turn up at 10am when it was a “meet at 11”, luckily I spotted them in the streets…
Hugs from across the pond…