New Year's Day brunch

What it is

A late, lazy brunch on 1 January. It’s easy to host, kind to everyone after a late night, and a lovely way to start the year with friends.

Plan ahead

• A few days before: invite people for a late start (11:30 or noon).
• On 31 December: make pancake batter (it improves overnight), set the table and prep fruit.

Menu

• Pancake stack: buttermilk pancakes with berries, maple syrup, bacon and banana
• Full breakfast tray: sausages, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes baked together in the oven
• Eggs: scrambled or a big shakshuka
• Pastries: croissants and pain au chocolat
• Fruit: a big fruit salad with yogurt

Drinks

• Coffee, tea and fresh orange juice
• Bloody Mary bar: tomato juice, vodka (or not), Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon, celery, olives
• Mimosas or an alcohol-free sparkling juice

Resolutions jar

Everyone writes their resolutions. Seal the jar and open it next New Year’s Day to see how everyone did.

Tips

• Use the oven to keep food warm so you can sit down too.