March-2024 Cooperative Living-PGEC - 35

LIFE STYLES
Easter Brunch Made Easy
Preparing a midday holiday meal
makes things festive and fun
Story courtesy of Family Features
Herbed Spanish Omelet
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and
diced or shredded
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup diced red onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
G
athering friends and family together on Easter Sunday for a midday
meal doesn't need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between
breakfast and lunch, an Easter brunch is a more casual and lighter
alternative to the typical holiday dinner party.
When charged with hosting a holiday midday gathering, a little pre-planning
can go a long way toward ensuring your family get-together is as simple as it is
scrumptious.
Get creative with decor. When prepping your Easter tablescape, think
outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases,
and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls or
creamers. Fresh fl owers and produce can add natural pops of color to the table,
and a bowl of fruit can make for an eye-catching centerpiece.
Plan a variety of dishes. Make sure you have a mix of both sweet and savory
dishes on the menu that can please a wide variety of palates. Earmarking some
recipes that can be made ahead, like pastries and casseroles, can be a simple way
to avoid waking up extra early to prepare. Save the morning of your event for
dishes that are best served fresh, like this herbed Spanish omelet, which features
potatoes; fresh, spring herbs; and red onions, and packs protein, B-vitamins
and cancer-protective phytochemicals.
Serve it buff et-style. Setting your spread out on the counter and allowing
guests to help themselves not only makes it easier for the host to mingle, but it
allows guests to customize their meals as they wish and gives the gathering a
more casual vibe. Try themed stations, such as a coff ee or mimosa bar, parfait
bar or bread bar, in addition to more traditional dishes to let guests take the
customization to the next level.
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co-opliving.com
March 2024 * Cooperative Living * 33
8 large whole eggs, lightly beaten
4 egg whites, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons fi nely chopped fresh parsley
4 tablespoons fi nely chopped fresh basil
4 tablespoons fi nely chopped fresh chives
salt, to taste (optional)
fresh herb sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Directions: Place potatoes in large pan.
Cover with water. Bring to boil and cook,
uncovered, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cover and let stand about 10 minutes, or
until potatoes are tender. Drain well.
In deep, 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium
heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook
about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add
potatoes and cook 5-10 minutes. Combine
whole eggs and egg whites. Stir in parsley,
basil and chives. Season with salt, if desired.
Pour mixture over potatoes in hot skillet.
Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, about
10-15 minutes, or until bottom of omelet is
golden. If desired, brown top using toaster
oven or broiler. Garnish with fresh herb
sprigs, if desired.
Nutritional information per serving:
260 calories; 12 g total fat (2 g saturated fat);
28 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 2 g dietary
fi ber; 106 mg sodium.
CL
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES
http://www.co-opliving.com
March-2024 Cooperative Living-PGEC

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