Dan's Papers - August 17, 2007

For a summer brunch, there needs to be a theme to set the mood and pace. You could dredge up a bit of inspiration from the sea and go with blues, whites and a pop of yellow. Seashells can be used for little candles, berries or dips. Little clear containers, filled with sea glass, some white sand or shells displayed around the table and garden lend a simple touch. One could opt for a garden theme, with pretty terra cotta pots for utensils and napkins. Hot garden colors like red and yellow for plates, cups, tablecloths and napkins. Try a splash of greenery for a centerpiece and terra cotta potting trays for holding vegetable stuffed dips and fruit. The ideas are endless.

Pace yourself. Your menu should be given some thought at least a week ahead, along with your guest list. If you are going to do the shopping and food prepping yourself, you can start to get the staples in ahead of time. Pick up the punch, wine, spritzers, coffee and teas. Then decide at this time if you want to do a buffet or a sit down semi-formal brunch. Any meat and cheese platters can be ordered about four days before and picked up on the day of your get together. Make room in your fridge and the day before, you can shop for your vegetables and fruit.

If you are going to take the easy route, you need to discuss this all with your party planner. In that case, you really won't have to do much! Hopefully, you'll have backup plans for indoor dining, should the weather not cooperate, but we won't entertain any misfortunes.

As far as outside is concerned, it is time to think of your staging. Your seating areas. Your food area. Your lawn. Trim it at least three days before your brunch, watering at the same time. Lightly. You don't want a soggy lawn or encourage little flying insects that seem to come with dampness. If you have a deck or landscape, spray a little detergent on it, let it soak for a few minutes and wash it away with water to get rid of any soot or debris accumulating on it. If your garden has flowers, try to pinch them back a week before to encourage any blooming they may have left in them. Clean them up by removing any withering blooms. If you haven't any flowers, a trip to the local nursery is the answer. Cluster a few flowers together in darker areas under trees or shrubs, purchase white or pale green plants to add interest and brightness to the area. Clip any low hanging tree branches and in dark areas where you may want to set a candle or two, clear away dried vines or anything that may catch fire. Set up a few table and chairs where guests will want to wander over, sit and enjoy their brunch is a must. Use free standing umbrella holders and umbrellas for shade. Make sure the seating is stable and secure, not wobbling on uneven turf.

The morning of your brunch, set off a spray bomb for mosquitoes and flies a good distance from your setup area. Do this before you start bringing out or uncovering your tables and chairs. You don't want any chemicals on your tables or chairs.

Back to your menu, which, by now, has been planned and well thought through. Pasta, fruit and vegetable salads, finger sandwiches, sliced roast beef, turkey, cold chicken, pastrami and corned beef platters, cheese trays are an easy and great idea to prepare. Think low carb, everyone is doing it! If there are children, try to take their food needs into consideration as well. And for dessert - have an array of cookies as well as pies and cake to finish off your well planned brunch. Have plenty of ice on hand. Remember to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Use warming trays to keep the temperature evenly warm and use chipped ice for cold foods. Relax and Enjoy!