Brunch Anyone?
by Anila Dhanji

AFTER a rather long night out on the town partying it up with friends on Saturday, Sunday calls for lazy and late mornings — a steaming cup of latte, masala chai or just plain old black java accompanied with old fashioned scrambled eggs, home fries and thick Texas toast smothered with butter or maybe a Portobello mushroom burger with caramelized shallots is what your craving in pursuit of shaking of that “I can’t believe I did that!” feeling out of your system.

It's not exactly breakfast and its not quite lunch, it’s a destination somewhere in between - It’s brunch. Brunch is the perfect marriage of luxury and necessity. We must all eat and let’s be honest brunch has become quiet the Sunday social ritual. And why not? It’s perfect. Sleep in and not have to jump out of bed to the sound of any alarm bells going off. Happily you can get up and throw on the oldest pair of jeans and white T and feel like a million bucks. Stroll over to one of the “in” brunch spots, meet some friends and share a few laughs over some steaming hot concoction of your choice and a plate of some really good breakfast, I mean lunch, oh well you know what I mean.

Over the last few years brunch has become the hippest and trendiest of meal times. No longer are we getting just the standard brunch choice of either eggs or sandwiches. With chefs exploring the fusion phenomenon and the popularity of diverse ethnic cuisines; brunch menus all over the city are offering things we have never seen before. However, this culinary creativity can be very costly.

So here is my brilliant idea. Since this Sunday ritual is all about being laid back and relaxed, I say why not stay in and indulge in this great meal and save a few bucks. I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but in my home we have had weekend brunch as long as I can remember. As far back as when I was a little girl back in Pakistan I remember going over to my Nani Ma’s House (that’s grandmother for those who may be unfamiliar with the term) on Saturdays where her house would be filled with the whole family and we would sit down to the best Indian brunch ever! There would be hot kheer puri, chilli & cilantro infused omelette, melt-in-your-mouth aloo paratha and my personal favourite masala dosa and bhel puri. Invite some friends over and let them experience true fusion food and see them fall in love with you all over again.

The recipes I have chosen are easy and perfect for a lazy laid back Sunday.

Brunch Menu

• Mango lassi
• Indian Omelette
• Chucumber

Mango Lassi

• 1 1⁄2 cup plain yoghurt
• 3 cups milk
• 1 large can of mango pulp
• 4 teaspoons sugar, to taste, or feel free to try salt and cardamom seeds
• 1 to 1⁄2 ice cubes

Directions:
Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes, then pour into individual glasses, and serve. Feel free to try salt and cardamom seeds. The lassi can stay refrigerated for up to 24 hours

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Indian Omelette
Serves 3-4

• 6 large fresh eggs
• 1 large peeled potato
• 2 Tbsp 35% cream or full cream milk
• 1 medium size onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium size tomato, diced small
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 small piece ginger, chopped finely
• 1 green or red chilli, chopped finely
• 2 1⁄2 Tbsp of fresh cilantro, rough chopped
• 1 1⁄2 tsp garam masala (can be bought at any large grocery chain like Loblaws)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 4 slices of jalapeno havarti cheese
• 11⁄2 Tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
• 4 thick slices of toasted brioche bread

Directions:
Peel potatoes, grate using a cheese grater and place in cold water and soak for about 3 or 4 minutes. Pat the potatoes dry and keep covered with damp paper towel.

Beat the eggs and cream with a whisk until eggs are well combined.

In a large frying pan on medium heat add the oil, grated cooked potatoes, tomato, garlic, ginger, chillies, garam masala. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes and then pour the egg mixture over and cook on medium to low heat for about 4-5 minutes, place the slices of cheese evenly so that when you serve you can cut for even portions. Place in the oven at 300º F for another 8-9 minutes.

While the eggs are in the oven, brush the sliced brioche with butter and place in the oven to toast along with the eggs. (if you cannot find brioche just get any kind of bread you like and get the baker to slice it thick)

To serve, I place the bread on the plate first and then put the eggs on top of the bread. Top with fresh cilantro for garnish and serve the chucumber as the side dish.

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Chucumber (fresh cucumber salad)

• 1 large English cucumber, finely diced
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
• 3 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 each red & green chilli seeded and diced
• 1 1⁄2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 1⁄2 tsp of chat masala (combination of roasted Indian seasonings, can be bought ready made at any local Indian store)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Combine all the above ingredients together and serve topped with more fresh cilantro.

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If you would like more brunch ideas, recipes or have any questions please email me at: anila@eatcatering.com and put in the subject line: Brunch Ideas.