(BPT) - The holidays are all about bringing friends and family together, and there's no better way to enjoy company than with a festive holiday brunch. With a bit of planning and some creative touches, hosting can be as enjoyable as the celebration itself! Singer, songwriter and cookbook author Jessie James Decker shares her top tips to help make your holiday get-together even more special.
1. Simplify food prep
Get ahead of the game by preparing food in advance so you can relax and savor time with your loved ones. Opt for dishes like breakfast casseroles or quiches that only need to be warmed up before serving. Decker also recommends repurposing leftovers creatively. If brunch follows a big holiday meal, try incorporating leftover elements like protein or veggies into a new brunch dish for an easy, delicious twist.
2. Set up a kid-friendly station
Keep your guests entertained with a festive DIY pancake, waffle or hot cocoa bar. Both kids and adults will enjoy choosing from fun toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles and marshmallows - a sure way to add a unique element to brunch and create lasting holiday memories for the whole family!
3. Create a holiday atmosphere through music
You can make your brunch atmosphere as relaxing, upbeat and joyful as you'd like through a curated playlist of your favorite holiday music. The perfect playlist can set the tone for a warm and festive atmosphere, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the celebration. You can even create a collaborative playlist so your guests can join in and play their favorite tunes!
4. Add personal design touches
Adding thoughtful details to your holiday table can make your gathering even more special. Decker recommends putting out conversation starters or writing handwritten notes and holiday-themed nameplates to make your guests feel welcome. You can even involve the kids by letting them help out with these personalized touches, such as cutting out paper snowflakes to hang around the dining table, adding extra holiday magic to the decor.
5. Start a holiday tradition with a signature recipe
A go-to holiday brunch recipe gives everyone something to look forward to each year. Whether it's a sweet or savory dish, choosing a recipe that brings comfort and joy to the table can make a holiday gathering even more memorable. Decker's family-favorite recipe are these King's Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sandwiches from Eggland's Best, which have been a Christmas morning staple in her household for years.
Incorporating Eggland's Best eggs in your recipes is also a great way to put your wellness at the forefront of the season, as they contain 6 times more Vitamin D compared to ordinary eggs, to help boost your body's immunity and fight off harmful bacteria. EB eggs also have 10 times more Vitamin E compared to ordinary eggs, which performs as an antioxidant in the body to reduce oxidative stress and protect the cells from damage.
Even more egg-citing, Eggland's Best has also launched the Season's Best with Eggland's Best Sweepstakes! Head to EBFamilySweeps.com now through January 3 for a chance to win $5,000 to take your holiday recipes to the next level, plus Jessie's signed cookbook, EB cooking swag and more!
Hawaiian Breakfast Roll Sandwiches
Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 20 minutes; Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients:
For the eggs:
· 5 Eggland's Best eggs, large
· About 3 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 tablespoons whole milk
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the rolls:
· 1/2 pound bacon
· 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian rolls
· 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
· 2-4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Directions:
- In skillet, drizzle in a good amount of oil and set pan over medium heat. In medium bowl, whisk Eggland's Best eggs with the milk until light.
- When the oil is hot, put beaten eggs into the skillet and watch them sizzle and fry, but don't touch them. You want them to stay flat and in one piece.
- Fry scrambled eggs 5 minutes, or until the edges are set, then flip the eggs with a spatula and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat and cover while you prepare bacon and rolls.
- In large skillet, fry bacon over medium-high heat until the strips are browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip with tongs and cook an additional 2 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Lay flat on paper towels to drain while you assemble the rolls.
- Slightly toast the Hawaiian rolls with a layer of butter on top. Simply slice the sheet of Hawaiian rolls open and brush the butter on the cut sides. Then brown in toaster oven or under hot broiler for a good 3 minutes.
- Spread 2 tablespoons mayonnaise over the bottom buns, then top with the egg and then the bacon. Finish with another layer of mayo on the top bun, if desired, so it all sticks together, and sandwich them together. That's it!
