Girlfriend's guide to Brunch

Like many women I know, I am lucky enough to have amazing girlfriends whom I met at different times and points in my life. One friend I met when we were at preschool together, we kept at each other's side all through middle school, high school, marriage and children. Others I met later in life, like an amazing group of ladies I got together with a few years back in an online shopping Facebook group of all places, some of us hit it of, we met up in real life too, and created a strong bond and friendship. We come from different backgrounds, different professions, one is a criminal lawyer, one is an engineer, one's a designer, and so on. We are all busy, we are all mommies, and we love and cherish each other. Every few weeks, we take out our calendars and schedule a mid week brunch, a few hours to ourselves, where we can sit, ladies only, vent (mostly about our husbands), laugh )mostly at ourselves) and catch up.

My family and I moved a while ago, so I suggested I'd host our latest brunch at my new home. It's been a while since we met, and I wanted to have the privacy and quiet so we can really let loose and relax. One of the ladies gave birth to her fourth child 5 months ago so I wanted to celebrate her and the rest of these women who add so much joy and wisdom to my life. I aimed for a Princess tea party theme for big girls with a light and diverse menu.

The first recipe to make it into the menu was the mini quiche I love to make whenever I have guests over for brunch. It's easy to make, you can play with the filling and create a few different kinds using the same base. Also very important - you can make it ahead of time and freeze them, the day of your brunch/party you can warm them up in the oven at a low temperature and they come out tasting fresh and amazing. This time around I chose to do caramelized yam filling and a mushroom filling.

Next Item on my menu were rolls, soft, light and airy, easy to make rolls. The kind of rolls that go with everything - cheese, butter, a nice souse you can deep it into.

I wanted to make them the morning of the brunch so they would be fresh and warm. I always use this recipe for brunches or dinners, it's a crowd pleaser and it's not time consuming which is important while hosting.

I wanted to add to the menu something that was not pure carbs, but also something light and that can be made ahead of time and reheat. I went with Shakshuka the middle eastern version of the Mexican breakfast eggs. I made the spicy tomato sauce the night before, and in the morning I reheated it, added the eggs and let them cook. A tray of cheeses and a big Greek salad completed the menu. For desert I made vanilla butter cookies which is the favorite of one of my friends and I try to make her a batch whenever we meet.

I went all girly for the set up, with vintage looking dusty rose colored plates, flowers and vintage looking cream cutlery.

The table was set up outside in our yard, with the lovely autumn sun warming us up. The best part was the great company, relaxing with the ladies and having some time that was just for us.

and in the words of my favorite lady of all times:

“My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” Jane Austen