Easy Brunch Recipes

Brunch is a common practice today and something many restaurants offer now on Sunday. At one time considered "fashionable," brunch was mainly associated with society's upper echelon, taking hold in America in the 1930's.

Remember the elegantly dress women saying in old movies, as they gestured with their gloved hands, "Let's do brunch!" Brunch was very hip and reserved for the jet-set crowd.

However, according to "The Food Timeline," the origins of the word "brunch," date back to 1896 in Britain. It is of course, a combination of the words breakfast and lunch and was a meal that probably took place around noon, after the man of the house arrived back from a hunt.

Obviously, brunch food itself would be far different from what we know today, but the concept has not changed over time. Read some fascinating "meal" history here.

Easy Brunch Recipes Sure to Impress

Monterey Jack Brunch Casserole - 10 Servings

6 eggs

1-cup plain yogurt

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

½-teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 cup chopped ham (can use ground sausage - 1 pound)

1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12x8-inch baking dish lightly.

2 - In a medium bowl, add eggs and yogurt; beat with whisk until well blended. Stir in Jack cheese and pepper.

3 - Put ham in the greased baking dish and pour egg mixture over the ham. Bake 25 - 30 minutes until egg mixture sets.

Egg & Mushroom Scallion Brunch Pie - 6 Servings

1-tablespoon Canola oil

4 scallions, chopped

4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (can use canned)

1-cup sour cream

1 cup cottage cheese (can be low-fat)

6 eggs

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

¼-teaspoon sea salt

Dash of hot pepper sauce

1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 1-quart baking dish.

2 - In a medium skillet, heat oil on medium and add onions and mushrooms, cooking until tender.

3 - In a food processor or blender, process cottage cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, eggs, flour, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Process until blended. Stir in mushrooms and onions. Pour into baking dish and bake for 40 minutes. Check doneness with a knife inserted in center. (Clean knife means it is cooked)

Egg & Spinach Brunch Casserole - 4 Servings

10 ounces frozen chopped spinach

1 can (15 ounces) cheddar cheese soup

½-pound ham (cubed)

1-tablespoon Dijon mustard

4 hard-boiled eggs (sliced or chopped)

1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan, cook spinach (per package directions) and drain well.

2 - Stir in soup, ham and mustard.

3 - Pour mixture into a 9x9-inch baking dish. Top with hard-boiled eggs.

4 - Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Sources:

Family recipes tweaked from "Best-Loved Casseroles" cookbook