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What’s the best way to kick off a new year? By eating, of course! So gather your friends and family (and whoever crashed on your couch the night before) for some good food, good times and, you know, recovery. Here’s how to put together a New Year’s Day brunch that will make going to the diner for brunch so last year.
1. Go all out with bagels, breads and more
Build a heaping platter of croissants, cinnamon rolls and toasted slices of panettone, an Italian-style sweet bread loaf. Or grab a dozen fresh bagels and serve with Whole Catch Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon (it’s gravlax style), cream cheese, sliced cucumbers, red onions, and tomatoes and capers. Another winner: honey and thyme stirred into softened butter, cream cheese or fresh goat cheese. Going all out here involves minimal effort (save for grocery shopping), so points to you for getting to sleep in on New Year’s Day.
2. Beverages, beverages, beverages
Give guests what they need, right when they need it. Which will likely be … coffee and water. So have hot brewed coffee and several 32-ounce bottles of cold-brew High Brew Coffee ready for guests. And don’t forget pitchers of water — guests will likely want to hydrate. Add fresh fruit for a refreshing twist.
For those opting for hair-of-the-dog drinks like mimosas or Bloody Marys, make a DIY beverage bar. For mimosas with cava, prosecco or Champagne, display suggestions that go beyond the classic OJ and bubbly like:
Bubbly + blackberries + touch of 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Maple Syrup
Bubbly + spoonful of strawberry jam
Or just go the classic route with some OJ. There’s a reason mimosas are a brunchtime staple.
If you’re making Bloody Marys from scratch, the right hot sauce can bring it to the next level. Choose flavor-packed Siete Hot Sauce or Fix Signature Sriracha Hot Sauce for a little heat and a little sweet. Looking for a reliable shortcut? Go with Powell & Mahoney Classic Bloody Mary Mixer and just add vodka. Then set out garnishes like celery, lemon slices, carrots, pickles, cooked shrimp and strips of crisp 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Uncured Center Cut Smokehouse Bacon so guests can build over-the-top cocktails #forthegram.
And for non-drinkers, offer Whole Foods Market Organic Italian Sodas. (The Blood Orange and Lemon varieties add a pop of color to a beverage bar.)
3. Do a DIY Parfait Bar
It’s easy to up your yogurt parfait bar: Serve Icelandic Provisions Icelandic Skyr and set out little bowls of granola, fresh berries, dried fruit, chopped nuts and honey. Or swap out the skyr for Vermont Creamery Fromage Blanc, a smooth, spoonable, fat-free, French-style cheese.
4. Keep homemade simple
Thankfully, you can get big points for serving homemade without spending much energy or time. Here’s how:
Pancakes or waffles. Get a few steps ahead with Birch Benders Pancake & Waffle Mix.
Breakfast sandwiches. Pick the bread of your choice (Or a brioche, anyone?). Pair with 365 by Whole Foods Market Breakfast Sausage, top with a fried or poached egg and sprouts. Gruyère cheese or chipotle mayo could take it to the next level too.
French toast opens in a new tab. Get fancy, easily, with slices of Whole Foods Market Panettone or Brioche topped with apple slices and maple syrup.
Eggs, sausage, bacon and hash browns. Make the basics better with Vital Farms eggs — check out the bright yolks — and visit the Meat department for house-made bacon and sausages or look for 365 by Whole Foods Market Breakfast Links. Then cook and serve with premade hashbrowns, like Dr. Praeger’s.
Simple green salad. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, Buf Mozzarella and a vinaigrette dressing. Done.
