It was my birthday this weekend and my parents and I put on a brunch together to celebrate. Because if there is one thing I love its brunch. And birthdays... I love those too.
The Daring Baker's challenge this month was a yeasted meringue coffee cake which I decided that I would make for the brunch. Its a sweet enriched dough which is rolled out, spread with meringue and toppings and then baked.
I topped the meringue with nutella and it baked into a gooey chocolate hazelnut filling.
I love appetizer type food so my mom made her delicious cheesy crab stuffed mushroom caps...
..and smoked salmon with cream cheese on baguette slices. The capers and red onion are hidden underneath the salmon to keep them from rolling away when you go to take a bite. Nobody wants rogue capers rolling around willy nilly.
Speaking of things that nobody wants.... a thick icy fog hung around all day. I avoided looking out the window and just focused on the food and flowers on the table. Its not still winter outside if I can't see it!
It was easy to forget about the crappy weather when the flatbread turned out so well. It was topped with potatoes, shitake mushrooms, thyme, shallots and then drizzled with creme fraiche. The soft potatoes and mushrooms against the cripsy flatbread was a delicious combination.
We also had quiche lorraine and asparagus marinated in a french vinaigrette. This was the first time that I have made quiche and I was very happy with the way it turned out. My mom makes excellent quiches so I was glad to have her in the kitchen to determine when it had finished baking.
And there were lots of flowers because it's spring!
( Inside my head it is spring.)
There was so much food, and after everyone had gotten to the point that they never wanted to eat again....
...we brought out the cake.
Didn't matter that everyone was full because there is always room for cake. Especially when its tres leches cake topped with mounds of billowy whipped cream.
Sponge cake soaked with a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream. The cake doesn't get soggy, it just soaks up the milks and turns into the most delicious cake ever.
Even after all the quiche, flatbread, coffee cake, mushroom caps, and smoked salmon almost everyone managed to have two slices of cake. It's just that good.
It was a fantastic birthday brunch with good food and good people. Only 364 days until I can do it again.
Note: I'll be putting up some recipes for the brunch items later this week. It will probably be that long before I'll ever want to eat/ think about food again.
OH YUMMERS. Those mushroom caps and smoked salmon treats have my tummy growling.
Posted by: Cassfrass | 03/27/2011 at 05:08 PM
You should come back to Edmonton to enjoy our (comparatively) tropical weather...we only have half that much snow.
Posted by: Texts and Textiles | 03/27/2011 at 05:14 PM
that all looks heavenly O:
Posted by: jennifer | 03/27/2011 at 05:49 PM
Steph,
I have been following your blog for over a year- I am sure I am your biggest fan! You are getting me through Grad school, and the most assignment filled birthday of my life (today). Thank you!!!
Posted by: Stefanie | 03/27/2011 at 06:39 PM
Stefanie: Happy Birthday!!! The best kind of people are born in March :D
Posted by: Clockwork Lemon | 03/27/2011 at 07:31 PM
Happy Birthday!! Everything looked delicious. The flowers were perfect and made it look sunshiney even though the day was frosty.
Posted by: Craftycreative.wordpress.com | 03/27/2011 at 09:56 PM
Holy cow. Happy birthday! I think smoke salmon is one of my favorite foods ever. It could be its own food group really. The coffee cake looks amazing both baked and unbaked, and I've never had tres leches cake but damn, I want to now.
Posted by: DK | 03/28/2011 at 08:30 AM
mmm quiche. We make them all the time for easy dinners!
Posted by: Chelsey | 03/28/2011 at 11:07 AM
Happy belated birthday! Everything looks so delicious, looks like it was a lot of fun. The flowers are gorgeous too, love the colors. :)
Posted by: Marilyn | 03/28/2011 at 11:29 AM
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad I don't live near you, I'd gain 20 lbs! Looks so gooooooooood!
Beautiful pictures to boot!
Urggghhhhhhhhhh! Now I'm hungry!
Is it ok if I blog about your blog, use some pics and provide a link?
Thanks!
Posted by: Marie | 03/28/2011 at 02:39 PM
Wow!! everything looks amazing and delicious!!
I love love your 'Spring' table setting - so wonderful!
Posted by: anastasia | 03/28/2011 at 04:12 PM
Happy Birthday! What a feast!
-E
Posted by: yummy supper | 03/30/2011 at 08:15 PM
Happy birthday! Looks like a spectacular way to celebrate!! :)
Posted by: Jenn | 03/31/2011 at 02:26 PM
Yum! This looks fabulous - have always wanted to make tres leches cake, and you jave just inspired me :) Hope you had a fabulous day!
Katrina
P.S. Just discovered your blog through a friend on facebook, and I LOVE it!
Posted by: Katrina | 03/31/2011 at 04:56 PM
Yum your birthday brunch sounds delicious! I should've maybe used nutella for the yeasted coffee cake too!
Posted by: Elsa | 04/01/2011 at 08:53 AM
Happy Happy Birthday!!!!! Looks like a yummy time : )
Posted by: Mylifeunderthebus | 04/03/2011 at 06:24 PM
The coffee cake looks fantastic! Did you post the recipe or can you send it to me?
Posted by: Tami Spierling Johnson | 05/19/2011 at 06:48 PM
Just perfect! Birthdays can never be fulfilling than this! Gorgeous menu!
Posted by: juliska dinnerware | 04/16/2012 at 06:29 AM