How to Brunch on a Budget

Cooking on the cheap shouldn't mean minute rice and buttered pasta every night. With a little creativity and a little planning, Gabriella Paiella shows us how to make the most of a tight budget -- without sacrificing flavor or variety. 

Today: Invite your friends over -- weekend brunch is better (and cheaper) at home.

Brunch has emerged as the ultimate divisive meal, which is some laughable first-world-problem bullshit when you really think about it. In early October, David Shaftel published a piece in the New York Times called "Brunch Is for Jerks." People reacted by calling him a jerk, amongst other things. After a GQ profile allegedly misrepresented his stance, Julian Casablancas took to Twitter clarifying that he is in fact, pro-brunch. 

Brunch will tear us apart.

Here's where I stand on the meal: I love to eat eggy things and get drunk at noon, I don't like leaving my house hungover and paying $25 or upwards for the privilege. 

It's fairly easy to make brunch at home -- and invite friends over to supply the mimosas and Bloody Marys. Here are a few sample menus:

1. The Classic Brunch
Spinach and Tomato Frittata
How to Cook Flat Bacon
Cheese Biscuits

 

2. The Heart Brunch
Strata with Sausage and Greens
+ Fruit Salad 

 

3. The Vegan-Friendly Brunch
Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
Tofu Breakfast Scramble

 

4. The Brunch That's Just an Excuse to Eat Really Good Sandwiches
The Scuttlebutt
Triple Pomegranate Smoothie

 

5. The Sweet Brunch
How to Make French Toast Without a Recipe
Daniel Patterson's Poached Scrambled Eggs

What do you like to serve friends for brunch? Tell us in the comments!