Tuesday, October 14, 2008

brunch: what's your pleasure?




Most of you probably already know that brunch is my favorite meal. The main reason is because brunch breaks down the barriers of what a "proper" breakfast or lunch should be- the possibilities are wide open. Testing recipes for Isa's upcoming brunch book has broadened the horizons even more- if there is one thing this book teaches us, it's that the only limits for brunch are those set by your mood and your appetite. Do you perhaps want something mildly sweet (like the cardamom and apricot coffee cake, above), or something more decadent like the pain au chocolat (phyllo pastry baked with a chocolate and banana filling, below)?



Or maybe you're more traditional and old-school- how about an omelette filled with mushrooms and caramelized onion, below?



Feeling more adventurous? Daiku and I are huge fans of the chesapeake tempeh cakes with remoulade sauce, below. The tempeh cakes are a perfect mix of crispy sea flavors, while the sauce adds the right spicy kick.



Or perhaps, my favorite. Being in England and passing by fish and chips shops is so much easier because I know that Isa has invented, no exaggeration, the world's best beer batter recipe. In the below photo, you see beer-battered tofu. As any Alton Brown fan knows, a perfectly fried food is light and crispy- not heavy and greasy. The beer-battered tofu (or you can beer-batter whatever you fancy with the recipe) is light, flavorful, and lip-smacking. 



So what will it be for brunch for you?


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22 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Oh my, love all the types of brunch fare you featured!!! Truthfully, mine would simply be a huge bowl of Banana-Nut Butter oats :0)

allularpunk said...

beer battered tofu, please!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Mon dieu...une recette pour pain au chocolat? It was already a given that I was going to purchase this book, but now I'm bursting with anticipation!

MeloMeals said...

Wow... everything looks amazing! I can't wait til the book comes out!
.. but the beer batter.. holy shit!
I don't EVER deep fry, but may have to make an exception.

Anonymous said...

Brunch is my favorite as well, and everything here looks marvelous! Love the look of the tempeh cakes, but I think that beer-battered tofu is pure genius :)

tofufreak said...

mmm.... brunch!

can't decide what's best--- *feed me please!* :D

Chelsea said...

Pain au chocolat, please! Like, 5 of 'em :)

Bex said...

I love that battered tofu! I could eat a pound of that stuff.

Amey said...

oh honestly, you brunch testers just drive me nuts! It all looks so freaky good.

DJ said...

Beer-battered tofu - yom-yom!

Isil Simsek said...

oh,how lucky you're to test Isa's recipes.Can't wait for that book now!Your pics are so tempting.I wish I could grab a piece of that tofu.
Err,while you are here in England,why not come to my house and test the recipes ;)

KitteeBee said...

Another fan of the beer battered tofu, here! I have made that so many times--so good. I'm not a big morning eater, so if we're talking a late brunch, I've always liked leftovers and cold pizza specifically. I grew up with bagel brunches, so that's what i think of too. A nice toasted bagel with cream cheese, tomato and a bit of very thinly sliced red onion. I also like tofutti with thinly sliced granny smiths on top.

xo
kittee

JohnP said...

Beautiful photos!

Abbie said...

Beer battered tofu? Omigoodness. Your pictures are lovely.

Jen Treehugger said...

Oh my! It all looks so amazing I want it all!

urban vegan said...

I cannot *Wait* for Isa's new book. And I'm not even a brunch person!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

all of it. please.

you're so far!!!!!

Rachael said...

the chocolate thing and the omelette look awesome...well everything does, but i really want chocolate right now...

Karyn said...

Those seafood cake thingys have my attention!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait until that book comes out. That coffee cake is calling my name.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

I never did make that beer batter! Sounds like I need to.

Kati said...

Ohhh that coffee cake! That calls to me! Or the beer batter...or the tempeh cakes. I like the sound of the "crisp sea flavors." Mmmm....