The Caterist Files ~ An Evening Brunch Celebration!

We call this the Black Satin Brunch Affair. It's particularly suited for a casually elegant bridal party and fits especially well for that special evening brunch! Let's break all of the rules, while we're breaking them! Tell your guests to wear their nicest jammies! C'mon! It'll be a blast!!

In our busy schedules, it can be difficult to find common time for getting together. The time before the wedding day is so full of last minute everything, to say nothing of just the daily routine! Well, if evening is better, celebrate in the evening! And, if you want to have brunch, try these ideas!

Now, while the Bridal Shower has traditionally been relegated to the classic brunch hours of late morning, I do not believe that I have ever once seen it carved in stone that the Bridal Brunch must occur in the morning! Nope, pretty sure I have not!

Have you?? No? Well, c'mon! Let's have fun!

In the classic Black Satin Brunch, we use black tablecloths with the elegant simplicity of mirror center squares with a vase of orchids and small votive candles in clear crystal holders surrounding. The twinkle of the candle light, magnified by the mirror, dances about the glassware, creating a magical atmosphere...simply beautiful! Branches of pussy willow are beautiful and delicate, as well, or any of the tall wispy florals.

Now, I can't provide or serve your wine, but I can give you some ideas!! The Bellini Bar is customary at the Bridal Brunch! All that you'll need is your champagne, and to select the fruit purees you want to have on your bar!

Strawberry puree, mango puree, blackberry puree, peach puree are most popular. And some small bowls of raspberries, blackberries or sliced strawberries. A pitcher of orange juice for those who prefer the mimosa is nice, too!

The star of the buffet is our Reisling Peach Glazed Spiral Ham! The glaze is a unique blend of sweet peaches, Reisling wine, brown sugar, honey and spices. It's memorable!

For accompaniments to Le Grand Ham, we like to keep it Southern with Ham Gravy & Cheddar Biscuits. And Ms. Debra's Famous Kinsloe House Rolls, too, if you'd like! Who are we kidding? Of course, you'd like!

Ham gravy...I prefer using the drippings before the glazing process has begun. Simple smoky deliciousness! We can add a bit of the glaze drippings, afterwards, if you'd like!

If you want to have a second meat on the buffet, for those who don't eat pork, Roast Turkey or Oven Roast Brisket are options. Or even Beef Tenderloin or Rib Roast, if you're so inclined! We can quote any combination for you!

Let's talk about the co-stars on the buffet table! Eggs are a must have on the brunch buffet, in some form. For the Black Satin Brunch, we lean toward quiches or rolled omelets, as more stately than scrambled eggs. A Broccoli Cheese Quiche and/or Spinach Mushroom Quiche would fit the bill! We generally do two varieties, with a slight overlap in quantities, should one be preferred over the other.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche, top left. Broccoli Cheddar Quiche, top, right. Caprese Quiche, bottom, center.

Quiche Lorraine au Fromage, above, left. Spinach Sundried Tomato & Feta Quiche, above, right.

Any of these would be delightful on the buffet.

Or, we have this lighter approach, the Omelet Roll. It's a thin omelet, filled and sliced into individual portions. You save the crust and cream calories this way.

Nearly any veggie filling & cheese could be put into these, I'd imagine. And, as shown here, they may be served in a simple flat cut, or in a fancier triangle cut!

Speaking of lighter, we've got to put some healthy salad of some sort in here, somewhere! We need a little color! I like a mesclun greens salad set in a pretty punch bowl, with a simple vinaigrette alongside for any brunch buffet!

Let your selections be fresh, seasonal and fun! Unless you have a preference, I'll usually pick out the salad that will best accompany your brunch, along with a suitable dressing that will compliment the other items on buffet.

Okay, back to the fun stuff! We usually have a potato or starch of some sort on the Brunch Buffet.

Especially for the evening event...I mean, you don't want your guests talking about how they woke up at midnight, starving to death!! Right! So, potatoes are welcome, whether in the form of a casserole, hash or home fries! Here are a few to give inspiration!

Pictured, above, clockwise from top left...

this one's sometimes referred to as the Cracker Barrel Potato Casserole, and has been done with shredded hash brown potatoes, as well as the cubed ones. I dress it up with the addition of sautéed bell pepper, onion and jalapeno, and use a smoky gouda along with the classic cheddar. Top, right, are Southern Style Hash Browns, with onion and red bell...jalapeno, if you want! Bottom, left, Country Fries, with onion and scallion action. Bottom, right, Two Tone Hash, with both Yukon gold and sweet potatoes, onion and bell pepper...delicious!

Or, if you would rather go the Grits route, that's fun, as well!

Unless you want to set up a Grits Bar separate from the main buffet, we'll set the each place setting on the table with bowls or cups for the grits. Shown, above, is a full Grits Bar, with both plain grits and cheddar jalapeno grits. The toppings are out of sight, but I generally go with jalapeno slices, bacon pieces, fresh diced tomato, red onion and extra cheese. If I've left out any of your favorites...say, smoked sausage bites...you just let me know! Adjustments can be made!!!

Ya know what's fun to do at an Evening Brunch??? Besides the dancing firemen!!! It's Dessert! The Sweet Ending to the perfectly fun evening of commeraderie, giggles and delight!

Whatever you want, Buttercup!!! Click on this little picture of Delight to see what's Sweet!

#BlackSatinBrunch #BrunchatNigh #EveningBrunch #BridalBrunchatNigh