A few years back, I would have laughed at the thought of entertaining on a Sunday morning, but now, as I rapidly approach my mid-30s, the appeal is real. You can happily make this a booze-free affair – just be sure to have good coffee and some freshly pressed juice on hand. Kick things off around 10.30am, then pack your guests off by mid-afternoon, leaving you plenty of time for a Netflix session in the early evening.
Getting ahead
If you're not a morning person (and trust me, I most definitely am not), then there are a few ways you can get ahead on this brunch menu. The most committed among us will be whipping up a batch of Billy Law's spicy beer and maple candied bacon so they can infuse their vodka a week in advance. You can also pound your celery salt for those Bloody Marys earlier in the week, along with the zing mint and lime sugar for Ben O'Donoghue's vibrant fruit salad (below).
Two of brunch’s biggest stars combine in this heart-starting drink. Sure, this version takes some forward-planning, but if you haven’t infused your vodka in advance, a shot of your favourite plain vodka will do the trick.
Kick things off with a fresh fruit salad and some store-bought pastries (or have a go at making your own croissants if you’re up for a challenge!)
Every brunch table needs something sweet, whether it’s sticky French toast, a basket of freshly baked muffins, or a stack of these fluffy hazelnut pancakes.
Moroccan eggs
Whip up a communal dish of spicy Moroccan eggs as a savoury course – this recipe serves two, but can be easily increased to suit your numbers. Use a large baking dish in the oven if you’re feeding a crowd, and serve with toasted pita bread.
The rest of your weekend entertaining plans are sorted with our no-cook Mexican menu and Vietnamese feast for friends.