There are always times when a family has reason to celebrate. My family has a fantastic tradition of putting together a wonderful champagne breakfast barbeque in honour of these occasions. Birthdays, graduations and overseas visitors all mean two things: a cooked breakfast, and alcohol before lunchtime in a socially acceptable context. Awesome. Even as adults, my sister and I love to head back home, significant others in tow, knowing mum will have the fridge stocked with breakfast goodies awaiting our arrival.
With the festive season now upon us, I have been reminded that the best of these breakfast barbeques always happen around Christmas time. There's something special about getting the family together, dad firing up the barbeque, popping open a bottle of champagne, and taking advantage of the fact that in this part of the world, we can sit outside and soak up the sun at Christmas time. A breakfast barbeque is so easy to organise for any number of people, and is the perfect way to relax and catch up with friends and family during what is always a busy season.
For starters, check the weather forecast and make sure it will be fine. Although amusing for the girls, it's never fun for the boys to be huddled around outside cooking a barbeque in the pouring rain. Be sure also that you have a couple of bottles of champagne on ice. Fortunately, there are some good deals on alcohol this time of year.
Booze Brothers are an online store where you can get competitively priced French champagne. Otherwise,
Dan Murphy's always have a special on, and stock a wide variety of French champagne, as well as Australian and New Zealand sparkling wines at low prices. Pick up the wine a day in advance and put it straight in the fridge – champagne is best enjoyed ice cold.
Set up your outdoor table on the morning of the barbeque.
Coles have a great range of little Christmas decorations, as well as Christmas napkins, which will create a festive mood for your table. When your guests sit down, put out some iced water with lemon, a jug of orange juice, and of course the champagne. It's nice to start with something fresh before you indulge in the cooked breakfast. I like to mix together a fresh fruit salad, topping it with equal parts natural yoghurt and whipped cream, adding a little liquid honey to sweeten. When you've served the fruit salad, it'll be about time to put the eggs, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, onions and tomatoes on the barbeque. Cut the tomatoes in half and cook slowly, along with the finely sliced onion and chopped mushrooms. Everything else should cook along a similiar timeline.
While the food is cooking, place some plates in the sink with hot water, to warm them a little before the food is served. I also like to provide some sauces and chutney to go with breakfast. One of my favourite chutneys is from the organic food store
The Green Grocer. They make a divine organic onion relish that goes beautifully with a hot breakfast.
Once the food is all cooked, serve it up along with the champagne. A simple breakfast barbeque like this is a wonderful, relaxing way to spend the morning with friends and family, not to mention it's so easy to put together. Enjoy!
