The Big, Yummy Breakfast! {On a Budget}

I know, I too eeeked over the idea too of a big yummy breakfast. I’m not just talking about adding an extra egg in, I’m talking about the breakfast where you add multiple things items in and when you’re done eating you’re almost too full.  This can also apply to a really big holiday meal or weekend get together with Friends and Family. Now  with Christmas around the corner I figured it’s the perfect time to talk about it!  And you know, give you a few helpful ideas and all that Jazz.

Let me just start by saying this: There is no right or wrong way to cook for a crowd. You can serve up individual plates, family style, buffet style, some combination of methods. Just make sure it works for you.

I think the biggest thing to cooking a big breakfast or just cooking for a crowd on a budget is making sure it’s not only wallet friendly but also time friendly. Most of the time if you’re on budget you’re also on a tight schedule because you’re doing a million and one things to make ends meet — so make sure you’re not stressing yourself out on either side of the spectrum. And it’s also OK to ask people to bring a dish or to provide some kind of beverage to go with everything!

Below are just a few of my favorite tips to cooking for a big crowd — I’m sure you guys know all this stuff already, but sometimes with the stress of the Holidays or just having people over it’s nice to have a few reminders 🙂

And leave it in the comments if I forget something that you think is a vital tip for cooking for a crowd or just cooking for two 🙂

 

• Tip #1: Plan Ahead! Sorry, there’s no easy way around this — you have got to plan everything. What are you making, when can you prep x, y and z. What can be made a head, etc. What can be simplified? Are you over stretching your budget to make your menu work? Or is there something you can buy that wouldn’t stretch your wallet but make your life easier?
Let’s take the first picture as an example –I made Banana-Almond Muffins {which I added some chocolate chips to!}, scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon. All easy quick items that won’t stretch your wallet.
If I was going to cook this for a bigger than two people crowd here’s how I’d plan it out —

1.) Make the muffins the day before or even two days before {just would have to hide them because boy are they yummy!}

2.)  I used Applegate Farm Sausage which can go in the microwave, they’re a little pricey depending on where you get them but they’re easy and wicked yummy so if you’re cooking for a smaller crowd I’d say go straight to those, the extra dollar is worth it if it means it’s one less thing to have to worry about! If you’re cooking for a big crowd, I’d get a different brand of sausages and pop them int0 the oven and bake them to get a large amount done quickly {Always read the box/packaging instructions if it comes with some!}.

3.) Bacon — I could cook it  ahead of time if I wanted to and just keep it warm or I could make it fresh. It’s honestly whatever is easiest at that moment!
{And save the bacon grease! If you’re making veggies for with dinner seriously toss those suckers in the bacon grease, you’ll thank me later!}

4.) Scrambled eggs, these are what you make right at the very end. I prefer scrambled eggs in cases like these because they’re quick to make and they stretch! Fried eggs or Omelets would take WAY to long, so keep it simple!

The scrambled egg idea applies to a lot of different meals — it’s cheaper most of the time to get a roast than individual steaks and also isn’t as stressful to cook. Same thing with roasting a chicken instead of serving up individual chicken breasts. Figure out what you want to serve and then see if there’s an easier and cheaper way to serve it up.

• Tip #2: Keep it Simple! Seriously, keep it simple. If you’re making a big breakfast and want to throw in some fresh fruit consider something like Pineapple or cantaloupe that you can cut up the night before {instead of apples or a fruit that turns brown} and have ready to go. Try picking your favorite side dishes that can be made a night or two before! Same thing goes with condiments and any prepping for the main part of the meal. Trim up your roast the night before, get your rub or herbs together and chopped the night before, make everything as easy as possible!

• Tip #3: Have a Wing-man! I’m serious. Having a wing-man makes all the difference when it comes to cooking for a crowd or just cooking a lot. They don’t even have to help you cook — just having someone there being your own personal cheerleader and saying the occasional “that looks yummy” or “I can’t wait to eat that” makes all the difference! However if you can find a wing-man that can cook on top of being a cheerleader — KEEP THEM. My Dad and I to this day are still each other’s wing-man.

• Tip #4: Don’t forget to eat! Ha — this one seems funny and obvious right? But if you’ve ever cooked a large breakfast or cooked for a crowd you’ll totally understand. Sometimes those of us doing the cooking are the last to eat because we’re worried about getting everything done and on the table and then we’re up helping people serve themselves, getting drinks, etc. So just make sure you eat what you’ve worked so hard to make for everyone!

That’s pretty much it for my top tips on cooking for a crowd or just making a big breakfast! Don’t ask me how these two got merged into one topic — it seemed to work as I was typing it and come on, we all know breakfast is my favorite meal {that I would eat all day, everyday}.

P.S. if you’re looking for some cool new breakfast ideas or just some new recipes in general totally check out my book! You’re going to Love.It