Gather your family and friends, it's time to brunch at home

Brunch — a time when pancakes are as appropriate as pasta, when coffee can be served with cola, and nobody worries about what the time is.

The streets and shores of the UAE may be lined with numerous brunch spots, but there's nothing stopping you enjoying the tradition in the comfort of your own pad, surrounded by the people you love.

As the word itself would suggest, brunch is what happens when breakfast and lunch collide. It's a marriage of all of the best things that each meal has to offer.

A well-planned and executed brunch is about much more than good food, it's also about the experience. Here's a few ideas to help you plan the perfect spread.

Pick a style

A fantastic opportunity to gather with friends and family, you can opt for casual or upscale, cozy or chic. Brunch is whatever you want it to be, but it’s a good idea to let your guests know just how fancy things are going to be.

Brunch is an ideal choice for a daytime party or celebration, but it also suits a casual few hours with friends after a morning gym session. There are no rules, which is worth remembering.

Plan a menu

Plenty of brunch enthusiasts would argue that the key to a successful brunch is a solid brunch menu.

The options are pretty limitless so we suggest making a list of all of the dishes you most enjoy when the weekend hits.

Achieving the perfect brunch menu is about finding a balance between sweet and savoury. Try and make sure there is a sweet treat, if only a sugar-coated biscuit, for every helping that's heavy on eggs, vegetables, and meat.

Try and opt for at least a few menu items that can be made the night or day before. A few options include:

1. Overnight oats
2. Breakfast cookies
3. Individual chia pudding
4. Sharing frittata

These simple chia pots are so easy to make and require just three ingredients to make the base pudding.

One individual pot needs 60ml of fresh almond milk, a tablespoon of chia seeds and a teaspoon (or squeeze) of honey. Pop in the fridge overnight and add the fruit of your choice the next day.

Out of time or energy?

Never underestimate the power of a potluck brunch. Not only does it take the pressure off the host but it also allows the opportunity to try dishes you might not have considered yourself.

If the idea of having people over for a full brunch feels intimidating, you can make it a team effort. Invite each guest to bring their favourite brunch dish and away you go.

If you are still struggling, the handy Goodness Foods range at Choithrams.com is a ready-made range of the best brunch-worthy dishes.

Either swing by and grab a few on your way, or order online and turn them onto your own serving platter.

Shussshhhh! Nobody will ever know and your secret is safe with us.

Sweet treats

This category happily spans both the breakfast and lunch part of any brunch.

Pastries, donuts, bagels, fresh fruit, and juice can beautifully round out a spread, along with cookies and cakes as a fun brunch dessert. 

Check out the great range of cakes, cookies and desserts at Choithrams.com HERE and you'll be spoilt for choice.

We love this new Snickers Cheesecake, which combines the nutty flavour of the famous chocolate bar with cream cheese goodness.