Dinner parties are so 2010. These days, hosting a brunch is the pinnacle of at-home entertaining, and your new Presidential Estate home at Cascata at MiraLago is brilliantly equipped to make you shine! Feel like you’ve been transported into a caterer’s kitchen, which with Lennar’s Everything’s Included® features stainless steel appliances, a gas cooktop, 42” upper cabinets in designer colors, an island prep area, luxury countertops with elegant backsplash, and more. And with several divine living spaces – from the open breakfast area and family room to the elegant living and dining rooms – everything tastes better in your Cascata home.
But when brunch is served at 11:00 a.m., why spend your morning chopping when you could be relaxing? Avoid last-minute scrambling by prepping ingredients the night before; then, when your guests arrive, assembling your dishes will be as easy as 1-2-3.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Cooking for a group is all about timing so that everything is ready to be served at once. Rather than try to perfectly fry multiple eggs (without the first batches getting cold!), mini frittatas cooked in muffin tins are a quick and playful dish that packs big flavors with minimal effort. They are also highly customizable: you can switch up the fillings for vegetarians and meat-lovers without needing separate dishes.
Finely dice your favorite omelet fillings into half-inch pieces – you want them to be small so that each bite of the frittata delivers a combination of all the delicious flavors. A standard-size muffin tin will require about 2 tablespoons of filling per frittata, so depending on how many guests you are hosting, you’ll need to scale this recipe accordingly. Popular combinations include:
- Bacon and onions
- Spinach and mushrooms
- Sausage and bell peppers
- Potato and scallions
Once chopped, simply store your uncooked filling in the fridge overnight until it’s ready to cook in the morning. (If applicable, wait to chop meats until the day of.)
For an easy and light make-ahead dessert, whip up a 2-ingredient Bundt cake reminiscent of a tropical paradise. Combine one boxed angel food cake mix with a large can of crushed pineapple (with juice), pour into a greased Bundt cake, and bake per the directions on the box. Chill overnight – don’t worry, your deluxe French door refrigerator has plenty of space – and turn the Bundt out onto a cake tray in the morning for an effortless stunner.
THE DAY OF
Every good brunch spread has buttery, flaky pastries on the menu. Wake yourself up with a quick trip to your local bakery for some fresh-out-of-the-oven croissants and scones (no one will mind that they’re store-bought, we promise). Arrange on a clean platter with your favorite jams, fresh berries and assorted cheeses for a beautiful and tasty display.
Now for the drinks. It’s hard to go wrong with the sweet juice and playful bubbles of a mimosa, the iconic brunch beverage that’s always a crowd pleaser. For an unexpected twist on the traditional OJ and champagne, combine one part chilled prosecco with one part mango-infused orange juice, or sub in sparkling cider to create a mocktail that retains the classic fizz without compromising on flavor. Serve in chilled flutes for optimum refreshment.
A pot of coffee, assorted tea bags, and a cool pitcher of ice water round out the drink offerings for a perfect blend of caffeination, hydration and…mimosation!
As guests begin to arrive, invite them into the light-filled living room to unwind and imbibe before the main course. With activation and support by Amazon and voice control by Alexa, your new home at Cascata can play your favorite tunes on command, creating the perfect ambiance for your friends while you wrap up cooking.
Finishing the mini frittatas is a breeze thanks to your handy prep work. Simply sauté your pre-cut filling mixture in a touch of oil on medium heat – don’t forget the salt and pepper! – until everything is cooked through (about 5 minutes). In the meantime, grease your muffin tins, crack in one whole egg per cup and break the yolk with a fork. Once your filling is cooked, spoon in about 2 tablespoons’ worth and top with copious amounts of grated cheese. Give each cup a quick stir to combine and bake for 15 -17 minutes until cooked through.
Voilà! It’s time to savor your exquisite – yet effortless! – creation. Now your last (and arguably hardest) decision will be whether to dine in your luxurious dining room or go al fresco on the inviting covered patio. Each has ample space for your delicious brunch spread and will make for an elegant, sunlit meal you won’t soon forget.
