The Perfect Easter Brunch

Well, the Easter break is here and what better way to spend a morning/lunch/early afternoon than indulging in a long and lazy brunch with family and friends? I’d always thought that brunch was an American invention, but have since discovered that actually it originated in England in the late 19th century.

The term ‘brunch’ was first used by British writer Guy Beringer in 1896 in an article entitled “Brunch: A Plea”. He described a Sunday meal specifically designed for those that enjoy their Saturday night with a certain level of committed hedonism: “Instead of England’s early Sunday dinner, a post-church ordeal of heavy meats and savoury pies, why not a new meal, served around noon, that starts with tea or coffee, marmalade and other breakfast fixtures before moving along to the heavier fare? By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers.”

Beringer went on to observe that brunch would not only satisfy hunger, but “would promote human happiness in other ways as well. Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting. It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.”

So on that happy note, here is a round up of our favourite recipes for the perfect Easter brunch:

Blueberry pancakes with ricotta & orange

This recipe is by the truly wonderful Drizzle and Dip blog – take a look here for the recipe and to see more of their fantastic recipes.

smoked salmon breakfast pizzas

An ingenious combination of pizza and brunch by 84th and 3rd – we love this idea and these breakfast pizzas look absolutely delicious. Take a look here for the recipe and here to see the rest of JJ’s incredible work as a recipe developer, photographer and writer.

Sweet potato hash with caramelized onion, sausage & eggs

For something a little more robust, try this recipe for Sweet Potato Hash which is made with caramelised onions, sausagemeat and eggs. Serve with crusty artisan bread to mop up the juices. The recipe is here and it’s by The Kitchn  – they also have a fantastic guide to making your own hot cross buns.

Brioche cinnamon roll bread

Cinnamon bread is such a lovely addition to any brunch party, served with freshly ground black coffee – it’s just so good. This recipe for brioche cinnamon roll bread by the Half Baked Harvest blog takes it to a new level. We love HBH recipes and this one is now on the must-make list too. Take a look at the recipe here.

breakfast eggs with flaked trout, crispy potatoes & white cabbage

I have tried this recipe before for lunch and it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s from What Katie Ate – one of our favourite food blogs and you make it using hot smoked trout – the flaky kind not the sliced kind. It’s absolutely scrumptious and must be served with a glass of champagne. Take a look here for the recipe.

 Image credit: 1. Drizzle and Dip / 2. 84th and 3rd / 3. The Kitchn / 4. Half Baked Harvest / 5. What Katie Ate