Bobby Flay’s Guide to Serving the Ultimate Brunch at Home
Celebrity chef, cookbook author, and television star Bobby Flay loves brunch. He even calls it his favorite meal of the week. So why is Flay such a brunch fanatic?
“After five straight days of waking up at the crack of dawn, exercising, and eating yogurt and fruit for breakfast, on the weekends I get to stay in bed a bit longer and be slightly more decadent when it comes to the food I eat. And I get to enjoy a cocktail before 5 p.m.”
While brunch does brisk business at his restaurants Mesa Grill and Bar Americain, Flay believes there are several advantages to hosting brunch at home. For one, you never have to wait in line. You also get to eat at a leisurely pace. Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy a variety of dishes and avoid the eternal brunch dilemma of whether to order something sweet like waffles or savory like an omelet.
RECIPE: Shoefly Muffins from ‘Brunch @ Bobby’s’
With this in mind, Flay’s latest cookbook is Brunch at Bobby’s: 140 Recipes for the Best Part of the Weekend. You’ll find all the brunch time highlights, including egg dishes, French toast, fruit salads, pastries, sandwiches, and savory sides, plus coffee, tea, and cocktails. There are some standards like Croque Madame, beignets, and buttermilk biscuits, but more often Flay offers fun, creative twists on classics, which means recipes for Texas eggs benedict, carrot cake pancakes, and Shoofly muffins.
Texas Eggs Benedict (Photo: Ben Fink)
While it might take place earlier in the day and is mostly limited to weekends, brunch isn’t all that different from a dinner party, says Flay. He recommends making a couple different dishes and serving them family style on big platters so everyone can help themselves. To minimize stress, look for recipes that can be made ahead or served cold or at room temperature. His yogurt crème brûlée, Spanish tortilla with roasted jalapeño pesto, and tropical fruit salad are perfect examples.
RECIPE: Yogurt Creme Brûlée from ‘Brunch @ Bobby’s’
The number of dishes to serve depends on how many people you’re hosting and how much they like to eat, says Flay. He recommends including at least one savory and one sweet dish, plus a few sides like bacon or sausage and hash browns or home fries.
Carrot Cake Pancakes (Photograph: Ben Fink)
Flay believes that bartending should never take you away from your guests, so stick to pitcher drinks that can be made ahead and kept in the fridge. And always remember to offer water, juice, coffee, and a selection of teas.
RECIPE: Carrot Cake Pancakes with Maple-Cream Cheese Drizzle from ‘Brunch @ Bobby’s’
Most brunch dishes are easy to make and don’t require a ton of advance prep, says Flay. But if you’re short on time, there’s no shame is purchasing pastries or bagels at your favorite bakery or bagel shop. It’s not about planning the perfect feast. “Brunch is a slow meal designed for lazy weekend mornings,” insists Flay. Rather than fussing over elaborate menus and complicated cocktails, use brunch as a time to catch up with friends and prepare yourself for the week ahead.
More brunch ideas from Yahoo Food:
Cheesy Bacon-Fried Johnny Cakes Recipe
How to Create a Simple Brunch Menu
