Nutritionists may preach that a good breakfast is a healthy beginning to the day, but for many Americans, despite their love of breakfast food, breakfast is a weekend phenomenon often known as “brunch.”
Another weekend is approaching, which means a perfect opportunity for this late breakfast/early lunch. Will it be waffles and hot cakes with maple syrup and fresh blueberries? Or why not try the tasty eggs Benedict, some French toast, or crab quiche?
The American brunch has been a food tradition for many years, where friends and families meet up for a "lazy meal" during the weekends. The favorite places for brunch really depend on what your favorite dish is, how simple or elegant the setting and whether your taste runs to orange juice and coffee or champagne and Bloody Marys.
"My favorite place for brunch is the Officers Club at any military base," said Sara Foster of Arlington, describing the food as being tastier there than anywhere else. Melinda Gilkey of Chesapeake agreed with Foster, as the brunch seems to be of "better quality," especially the egg casserole, which is her favorite dish.
"My favorite brunch is the spinach quiche," said Keri Calderwood of Reston. "I like the restaurants' omelets and pasta bars, " said her aunt, Sidney Calderwood of Reston. On the few occasions Calderwood goes out for brunch, her favorite places are any of the Rio Grande restaurants and The Hotel Marriott. According to her they have really good breakfast and lunch dishes.
OTHERS PREFER MAKING their own brunch. Together with their son and his family, Zixad and Inam Abushaban of Centreville usually visit a public park, bringing sandwiches, coffee and iced tea. “The parks are good for the kids,” Abushaban said.
Carol Jordan and her children, Christopher, 14, and Rebecca, 8, of Vienna usually have brunch on Sunday morning at home. “Christopher is in military school during the week, so he has to eat what is there,” she said. “That is why it is more practical to have brunch during the weekends.”
Marina Isgro, 15, of McLean usually eats brunch at the McLean Hilton with her family during holidays. “Sometimes I like bacon,” she said and laughed. She also likes the sweet things at the brunch table. “I like the dessert table with mini fruits and eclairs,” she said.
Vicky Reagan, 14, of Springfield is a regular brunch eater. “We visit my grandmother at her retirement home to have brunch between noon and 2 p.m.,” she said. “They have a salad bar with fruit and salad, meat like lamb, mashed potatoes, vegetables, bagels, cakes and ice cream.” What makes this brunch special is that Vicky and her family go there on special occasions. “I like the salad bar and the mashed potatoes,” Vicky said. “I also like the fruit and the bagels.”
When Vicky’s 14-year-old friend Christina Vornador was asked if she eats brunch, she answered, “Brunch? Do I eat brunch?” She looked at Vicky and laughed. Then she thought a while and said, “No, I don’t eat brunch.”
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For those who want to entertain at home, here is a recipe for a popular brunch dish:
Crab Quiche
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 cup crab meat
1 cup diced Swiss cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, beat together eggs, mayonnaise, flour and milk until thoroughly blended. Stir in crab, cheese and onion. Spread into pie shell. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Prep time, approximately 10 minutes; cook time, approximately 45 minutes. Ready in approximately 1 hour. Makes 8 servings.
Recipe from allrecipes.com