For Easier Entertaining, Think Brunch

(ARA) - There’s something about the smell of freshly baked breakfast dishes on a weekend morning. It conjures warm memories of savoring food and conversation in the comfort of your pajamas.

This season, why not take a break from dinner parties and opt instead for a cozier morning meal? Whether gathering family on a quiet morning or preparing a livelier feast for friends, a no-fuss brunch menu gives everyone the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the occasion.

It’s easy to stay focused on loved ones when you plan your menu around unfussy dishes that can be prepared in advance. This collection of baked egg recipes provides a delicious departure from the expected scrambled eggs or omelets by using liquid egg products to save prep time and add a nutritional boost to your meal.  

Liquid egg substitutes are made from all-natural egg whites that have been fortified with essential vitamins and beta carotene, so they contain all of the best parts of the egg while eliminating cholesterol. Better yet, they can be purchased from your supermarket’s dairy case in ready-to-pour containers that get you from the refrigerator to the table without the hassle of cracking shells or separating the yolks.

Some brands of liquid egg products, however, contain onion powder and other seasonings that will impact the flavor of your dish, so be sure to read the ingredients label and consider your recipe when purchasing.

Taking care of these simple do-aheads the night before will allow you to roll out of bed and get brunch together without breaking an egg or a sweat. Not only will the heavenly aroma of them baking in the oven provide a pleasant wake up call, the dishes are also designed to hold well on a buffet table.

Overnight Banana Streusel French Toast

French Toast:
3/4 pound French bread, sliced 3/4-inch thick (about 14 slices)
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) AllWhites 100 percent liquid egg whites
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:
2 bananas, sliced
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions:
Butter 13x9-inch glass baking dish. Place bread, cut side up, in single layer in bottom of dish. In medium bowl combine 2/3 cup brown sugar, AllWhites, half and half, cinnamon and vanilla; stir to mix well. Pour brown sugar mixture over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place sliced bananas in single layer over bread. In small bowl combine brown sugar, oats and melted butter; mix well. Sprinkle streusel over bananas.

Bake, uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until bread is golden brown and crisp.  
Serves 6
Tip:  For an elegant presentation, dust with powdered sugar immediately before serving.

Italian Breakfast Strata

1 pound Italian sausage
5 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
16 ounces Better'n Eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Cook Italian sausage in 10-inch skillet until browned; drain grease. Spray 13x9 inch glass baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cover bottom of pan with cubed bread. Layer bread with cooked sausage, mushrooms, zucchini and diced tomatoes.

In medium bowl combine Better'n Eggs, milk, basil, pepper sauce and salt; mix well with wire whisk or fork. Pour mixture over vegetables. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Uncover strata. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until eggs are almost set in the center and edges are golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into 8 pieces.

Serves 8
For more delicious brunch and holiday recipes, including low-fat eggnog, visit www.betterneggs.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

General Entertainment
Today's pace is fast and furious, more members of our families are working and time is short. Who has time to bring out the fine china for every gathering?

Having a few friends over is a breeze when clean up is quick and easy. Don't put off entertaining because of the work, spread it around. Ask everyone to bring something, all you have to provide is the space and paper goods.

Add a game or two and you have the makings of a memorable gathering.

Place cut flowers in an old water pitcher or lay them in a basket. From your yard, cut lots of fresh greenery; add themed napkins, matching curling ribbon or confetti  for quick inexpensive accents.

Don't forget to order those extra table coverings, napkins, and banquet plates. A plastic table covering is great protection for your tabletop. Place under a themed paper covering, or your own table cloth.

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RECIPES

At Culinary.net you’ll find hundreds of kitchen-tested recipes developed by leading food and beverage companies and associations. Each week, culinary.net brings you new recipes for everyday meals, special occasions and holidays
www.culinary.net

WORLDOFRECIPES.COM COOKING DIRECTORY
Comprehensive Directory of Cooking Resources On The Web

TV Chef Shares Last-minute Entertaining Tips

Wow Guests with Surprisingly Simple Dishes

(ARA) - A beautiful spread of delicious food is the easiest way to impress when entertaining. But, how to impress without the stress can be an ongoing challenge for many home cooks, especially when friends and family drop by for an impromptu gathering. There’s no need to sacrifice taste or your nerves when short on time.

TV chef and author Michael Chiarello reveals entertaining secrets and simple, mouth-watering recipes to ensure a successful gathering, even when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare.

* Make room for mingling -- “Take a little time when you have a little time to save some time when you don’t,” says Chiarello. He recommends preparing as much as you can before guests arrive. Simply measure and divide ingredients into re-sealable containers and place in the fridge until ready.

* Comfort classics -- Party hits are usually the foods that everyone appreciates, presented in a way they wouldn’t imagine. Chiarello suggests trying a unique twist on an old favorite, like turning ordinary grilled cheese into bite-size panini accented with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and basil.

* Spice it up -- Think like a professional chef, even if you’re just a beginner. Chiarello recommends adding several layers of flavor to each dish. For example, his Twice-Baked Potatoes with English Peas layer the distinct flavors of potatoes, peas, spices and cheese for an irresistible mouth-watering finish.

* Cheese please -- Use time-saver ingredients so you can get in and out of the kitchen quickly. Chiarello likes to use Sargento Bistro Blends cheese. The herbs and spices are pre-mixed with the cheese to add bold flavor without wasting time.

Chiarello unveils how to pull off the perfect party without breaking a sweat in his new DVD, “Entertaining at Home with Michael Chiarello,” available for free (with one proof-of-purchase and $1.95 shipping and handling) at sargento.com. The DVD features a full entertaining menu based on recipes created from his latest book, “At Home with Michael Chiarello” from Chronicle Books. By following Chiarello’s key rules, you’ll be a guest at your own gathering in no time.

A favorite recipe Chiarello shares on the DVD is “Speed Scratch” Potato Chips. With just a few ingredients and a savory aroma, it’s perfect for greeting last-minute guests using ingredients that are easy to have on hand.

“Speed Scratch” Potato Chips
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Serves 10

Ingredients:
2 large bags (8-1/2 ounces each) favorite salted potato chips, preferably olive oil chips
NapaStyle Fennel Spice Rub or barbecue seasoning
1-3/4 cups (7 ounces) Sargento Bistro Blends Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Basil Shredded Cheese

Directions:
1. Arrange potato chips on two jellyroll pans or large cookie sheets in an even layer and place in preheated 300 F oven. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until chips are warmed. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with fennel or seasoning.

2. Sprinkle cheese evenly over chips, return to oven; bake until cheese melts, 6 to 7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Some other recipes Chiarello creates in the DVD using Bistro Blends for bold flavorful entertaining include pea-stuffed potatoes, polenta crostini, bite-sized panini mozzarella en carrozza and gaucho steak with tomatoes and cheese in pitas. The recipes feature three Bistro Blends varieties – Mozzarella & Asiago with Roasted Garlic, Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil and Cheddar and Monterey Jack with Tomato and Jalapeño Peppers.  Courtesy of ARA Content

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