Summer Brunching: Keep It Simple, Keep It Beautiful

Summer brunch is peak brunch. The meal’s whole purpose is to let it be lazy and rambling, and lazy and rambling feel so right in the languid summer months. We set out to plan a summer brunch menu that does exactly that by keeping the heat low and the work minimal. In doing so, we quickly realized the two things we needed to think about to pull it off: bold flavor and beautiful presentation. A little extra thought in these areas let us get away with a lot by doing less.

At the center of our menu was Buzz + Bloom Honey. They make 14 varieties that come in three consistencies: Craft and Premier (perfect for dripping and drizzling), and creamy Spreadable. It’s good stuff that looks good right on the table. With all due respect to the little honey bear, we loved how these blue-capped jars bring a subtle elegance that instantly ups a brunch’s beauty factor.

What makes it good? Its simplicity. Buzz + Bloom is obsessed with just two things: flowers and bees. Real honey has natural pollen in it, which brings out the natural floral essence of its area of origin. Whether that pollen comes from a faraway lychee tree or fresh citrus groves, Buzz + Bloom only gives it a gentle strain so that that area’s unique taste shows up in your jar.

So here’s what we made…

It’s not like anyone really needs to make a case for waffles ever, but if you did it would be easy. They’re easy to prep, much of it possible to do the night before. They cook super quickly, in about 2–3 minutes (just make sure your iron is hot before you the pour the batter). And oh yeah, they’re universally beloved.

We made blueberry waffles because they’re just so summery. Adding fruit to waffles can make them soggy, but berries with skins hold up a little better. Then, to keep in line with our motif of unexpected elegance, we eschewed the predictable maple syrup for some homemade (but easy!) candied lemons and Organic Non-GMO Spreadable Honey.

How to Make Waffles Super Light and Crispy
To get that coveted airy inside, whip your eggs first (it adds literal air to the batter) and get your waffle iron hot (it crisps the outsides quickly). Here’s your full recipe.

• In a small saucepan, bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil over medium heat. (A cup for each should do it.) Let boil until the sugar dissolves, 3–4 minutes.
• Add sliced lemons (peel and all) to the syrup and let simmer until they become tender and translucent, 5–10 minutes.
• Use tongs pull them out, then let them dry and cool on a rack before serving.

If the waffles were our star, our Coconut Yogurt Cups were a best supporting actor. You do have to open the coconut (but it’s easier than you think!), but then making the dish is really simple. Fill the coconuts ¾ up with Greek yogurt, then very lightly swirl in some jam (lightly enough so you don’t lose the swirl). Top with a little granola and some edible flowers and drizzle with some Light & Sweet Honey.

How to Open a Coconut
Hold the coconut in one hand and knock it forcefully with a hammer around its horizontal perimeter, rotating and knocking until it cracks and opens. (Pro tip: Do it over a bowl in order to save the coconut water!)

We rounded out the menu with some super simple dishes: a cheese plate, smoothies, and simple toast and spreadable honey. We went with earthy, nutty cheeses that pair well with a sweet little drizzle of Organic Non-GMO Honey. Meanwhile, the smoothie recipe is essentially: throw what’s good in a blender with some liquid, blend, and then smoothies. And for the toast, Buzz + Bloom Spreadable Honey goes on lush and creamy, and comes in four flavors: 100% Pure Honey, Almond, Blueberry, and Cinnamon.

The Basics for Making a Cheese Plate
Plan on about four ounces of cheese per person, with three to four cheese for smaller tables and four to six for larger. Mix up the kinds of cheese (here’s a good guide) and leave some room on the cutting board for the actual cutting.

Want to bring some high-quality honey to your brunch table? Buzz + Bloom is offering Apartment Therapy readers free shipping for the first 200 orders. Just use code ApartmentTherapy when placing your order!

^{This post is sponsored by Buzz + Bloom Honey and was created by Apartment Therapy’s Creative Studio.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Apartment Therapy possible.}