Creating a Menu

Blog #2 Creating a menu

In this post, I’m going to cover everything regarding the food you are going to serve. In My first blog, I explain how to build a tablescape, and I mention you should start by making a list of everything you will serve so you can arrange the table accordingly. This blog will cover three menus: a simple breakfast board and Family-style Lunch that can be upscaled and be a fancy dinner.

Hosting breakfast can be challenging because mornings are usually very chaotic. That’s why I love to do bords. Baglle boards are a simple and versatile way to host a fun breakfast. I like to start the night before, so my morning runs smoother. I will break down the ingredients and how much to get.

Bagels

• Original (1/2 a bagel per person)
• Everything but the Bagel (1/2 a bagel per person)
• Cinnamon (1/2 a bagel per person)

Savory toppings ( I like to calculate one whole savory Bagel per person)

• Butter
• Creem Chees
• Protein ( I listed my favorites)
  • Smoked salmon 
  • Ham
  • Prosciutto
  • Salami
• Capers
• Red onion (serve it sliced super thin)
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Avocado

be creative and serve your favorite toppings. I like to add new and seasonal toppings every time.

Sweet toppings (I calculate 1/2 a sweet bagel per person)

• Nutella
• Honey
• Favorite Jelly or fruit preserve

Have fun and fill the board with whatever you have in your home. This is supposed to be a stress-free hosting.

Now for the Family-style lunch menu, this is my favorite way to serve food. When I’m hoasting something casual, prepare your favorite comfort food and serve it up in big platers or straight from the sheet pan or pot. My go-to Family-style lunch menu Is a simple caesar salad (I get the pre-packaged bags). Next, I like to serve chicken breast that I season with basically whatever spices I already have at home, place them on a baking sheet in the oven, and serve it just like that. And lastly, this sun-dried tomato mac and chees from Justeen Snacks https://justinesnacks.com/sun-dried-tomato-mac-n-cheese/. My basic rule for a Family-style lunch menu is to have veggies, protein, and carbs; with that basic rule, you can adapt it to fit your needs better if you are trying to upscale this menu, I would start by changing the protein to salmon or stake. Then, I would change the salad to rosed veggies or make a salad from scratch with seasonal veggies.

Choosing a menu may sound intimidating, but you will get the hang of it, find what is easier for you, and have staple foods that you can customize to switch it up. Have fun, and don’t be scared to find inspo on Pinterest or other food bloggers.