May 2, 2022

Like Brunch?

For me, I like nothing more than a weekend day to kick back and relax. Start the day early before the family awakens with a good cup of coffee and a piece or two of toasted buttered raisin bread. Something easy as I wake up and think about the day.

Raisin toast

Midday, my family starts dropping hints about “blunch” which is the time between breakfast and lunch. It’s more like a second breakfast. An easy to put together brunch is just my speed for a leisurely meal not requiring long hours in the kitchen preparing complicated dishes.

Sharing platters of fresh fruit, with whatever’s in season, cheese and crackers or a loaf of bread, granola, yogurt and maybe bites of cheese, smoked meat or fish is perfect and filling. Everyone can serve themselves, nosh to their hearts content, and cleanup is easy.

Platters of fruit, crackers, prosciutto yogurt

Thinking of something a little bit fancier to serve? Granola cups with fruit, a berry trifle, or open faced fruit pies should appeal to all the people at your table.

Pie or tart crusts filled with yogurt. Crème fraîche, fruit and yogurt are an easy breakfast/brunch/blunch dish.

Blueberry Yogurt Pie

Yogurt and Apricot Pie in a Crunchy Granola Crust

Here’s a recipe from Food & Wine magazine for a granola crust. I’ve used this making small adjustments to include a few tablespoons of crushed Pat’s Granola. Any other modifications I've made to the recipe are indicated by ( )

Granola Crust

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds, crushed (I've made this with pecans or walnuts)
1/4 cup rolled old fashioned oats
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1/4 cup canola oil ( I substitute coconut oil)

STEP 1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, almonds, oats and salt. In a large skillet, melt the butter in the oil. Add the granola mixture and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden, 5 minutes; transfer to a 9-inch glass pie plate and let cool slightly.

STEP 2: Using a flat-bottomed glass, gently press the granola evenly over the bottom and side of the pie plate to form a 1/2-inch-thick crust. Freeze the crust for about 10 minutes, until completely cooled.

STEP 3: Fill crust with yogurt, and your choice of fresh fruit. You can also make it ahead and freeze it. Perfect dish for your family or taking to guests.

Got fab ideas for brunch you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. ❤️

Pat Bennett is the founder and President of Pat's Granola, a Cleveland based food and collaborative lifestyle brand. Pat's Granola is sold online at www.patsgranola.com and is also available at select Northeast Ohio businesses including: