[easy entertaining]

Easy Entertaining
Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you have to stop entertaining. Throwing a Sunday brunch that both parents and kids can enjoy starts with good planning. We find the best time to get together with friends and children is before or after naptime. Here are a few tips that will make ‘kidertainment’ a breeze.

1. Choose simple tasty meals that will satisfy the entire crowd. For ease of preparation, we recommend one-dish-meals, such as frittatas and casseroles, Dutch pancakes, etc. Making it ahead of time is key to freeing up time to join in on the fun.

2. Keep in mind that feeding the kids can be a bit chaotic when there are other little ones around for distraction. Consider foods for kids that require little supervision or parental help. Some of our favorites, even the finckie eaters will enjoy, are whole-wheat waffles, pancakes, and fresh fruits. 

3. If the gathering is happening indoors think of menus that require minimal clean up time and zero staining because no matter how well behaved kids are accidents come with the territory! I try to serve fruits and foods that lend to easy clean up…grapes, bananas, cantaloupe, and oranges. Avoid high staining fruits such as berries (cherries, raspberries, strawberries, etc).

4. Begin planning ahead, designate a safe zone where kids can eat and play.

5. Keep the kids busy with fun activities. If weather permits, set up water play in the yard. Run the sprinklers, set up a sand box and water station.

Trial our favorite brunch recipes

Spinach Fritatta
Preheat oven to 450  

makes 1 fritatta 
6 eggs
1 medium onion diced
1/2 cup of defrosted chopped spinach
1/4 to 1/3 cup of crumbled feta
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil for cooking
1/8 to 1/4 cup of water
2 to 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese
 
Directions
Dice the onions and microwave for about 2 minutes until translucent - great trick saves you time and calories by not having to sauté. Warm up the oil in a skillet. Whisk eggs and water. Add all ingredients into the egg batter and mix until incorporated. Add the mixture to the skillet cook over medium heat until the eggs on the side of the pan look like they are cooking - semi firm. the center of the frittata will still be runny & raw. a this point sprinkle grated parmesan and place the skillet in a 450 degree oven until golden & firm - if the eggs are semi firm before you place in the oven then just broil to a golden color.



Buttermilk Pancakes

Makes nine 6-inch pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, butter plus 2 tablespoons for griddle

*for fluffier pancakes substitute sel-rising-flour with 2 cups all-purpose self rising flour

Directions
Heat griddle. Whisk together all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and 4 tablespoons butter; whisk to combine. Don't over mix - leave small to medium lumps.

Using a pastry brush, brush small amount of reserved butter. Spoon about 1/2 cup of batter, into griddle. Keep pancakes 2 inches apart. When pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.

Repeat with remaining batter, keeping finished pancakes on a heatproof plate in oven. Serve warm.