Hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering at home? One thought that will plague the conscious home cook and host is about the leftovers. As well-proportioned as your culinary fare might be, there is bound to be something in the way of pantry staples or fresh produce or meats and roasts that will be leftover post the gathering.
An interesting way to repurpose these assorted, scattered elements, instead of letting them go to waste, is to serve them up as brunch recipes with little twists. Let the morning of the bright new year begin with a touch of creativity and culinary innovation, while keeping the food relaxed, comforting and low-effort.
Cheese Board Omelette
Post-party blues are real and the fatigue that latches on after spending an exciting evening can dampen your spirits the morning of the new year. Ward this exhaustion off with a delicious omelette made by infusing it with leftover cheese from the previous night’s grazing board. Also add roasted vegetables to the omelette, if they are still around, and garnish it with simple herbs like oregano or basil. Fold the chopped or grated cheese into a fluffy omelette and serve it with last night’s dinner rolls, warmed up in the oven, as a late breakfast or brunchtime meal.
Slider Bun French Toast
If you served sliders the night before, one of the easiest ways to repurpose the leftover mini buns is to turn them into French toast. Create a mixture of beaten eggs, some sugar, cinnamon powder and just a tablespoon of milk and coat the sliced breads in this delicious blend. Pan fry until they are crispened and lightly golden and serve with a honey drizzle or a side of fresh fruits. The repurposed buns will give the classic French toast recipe a slightly more chewy and dense quality.
Eggs And Charcuterie Hash
Think leftover boiled potatoes, sausages, slices of cold cuts and grilled veggies all turned into a crisp golden on the fry pan. Such a mish mash lathered in butter will become a delicious sharing-style hash that can be served right off the pan the morning after a new year’s gathering. Perfect for a late brunch, the charcuterie hash will put to use every leftover element of a gourmet grazing board. Topped off with poached or fried eggs, the whole breakfast will acquire quite an elegant, holiday brunch-type touch.
Leftover Roasted Veggies, Chicken And Dip Frittata
Make a large brunchtime frittata that can be served with a side of French toast and fresh fruits for the day after the new year’s party. It can encompass all manner of leftovers from roasted carrots and potatoes to roast chicken and meats seasoned with the flavours of hummus or the garlic dip repurposed from the night before. Top the frittata off with grated cheese for an indulgent touch and bake the whole mixture until the cheese melts and turns golden. Garnish with parsley and serve warm with freshly brewed black coffee.
Cake Parfaits
Along with all kinds of savoury dishes, also left behind after a good party are the vestiges of desserts like cream cakes, pastries, tiramisu and brownies. While slices of pies and tarts can be had by themselves with brunch, turn the other baked goodies into delicious parfaits by layering the crumbled cakes with yoghurt, some whipped cream and fresh fruits. Refrigerate the trifle-like mix until all the layers set well and serve as an upgraded sweet treat to mark the first bright day of the new year.