Joy Skipper

All thinking people know brunch is the best meal of the day.

It is free of the morality of breakfast, the obligations of luncheon and the gravitas of dinner and, while porridge and muesli are borderline acceptable for brunch , they are the wimpish options. As for cabbage, Brussels sprouts, crunchy, nutritious green salads or the other standbys of lunch and supper, they are unheard of.

Joy Skipper provides recipes for all the old favourites — muffins and French toast, fruit salad and baked figs; eggs Benedict and Florentine; pancakes and waffles; steak rolls and croquet Monsieur — plus more adventurous options such as Mexican bananas, stuffed mushrooms, and tuna stir-fry.

Hash browns, enchiladas, quesadillas, Mexican fried potatoes, Crostini, paella, tortilla, bruschetta, Boston baked beans, and panellone add an international element to traditional brunch standards such as fritters, croissants, omelettes, Danish pastries, yoghurt, and the beloved fry-up.

Best of all, alcohol — frowned upon as a breakfast option — is perfectly acceptable at brunch : Skipper includes a hot and fiery recipe for Bloody Mary.

All in all, a wonderful way to start the day, and a good book to own.… (mais)