The lazy girl’s (or guy’s) guide to guest breakfasts

[Huma0]

So, @Lizzie suggested we post some more topics sharing ideas, so here I go...

I don’t offer breakfast to my guests (just teas, coffees etc) for several reasons. I would consider including it though if I could make sure it was quick, easy and inexpensive. My main concern really is the amount of food wastage (you buy loads of fresh stuff and then the guests aren’t hungry/want to eat out for breakfast). Food wastage is a huge problem in the UK, and I was not brought up to throw out food without feeling guilty!

With that in mind, I’m looking for suggestions on very easy, but still pleasing, breakfast ideas for guests that don’t break the bank and minimize the chances of food waste/washing up. I know you can batch bake stuff and freeze it, but that still involves a lot of baking and, sure, we could just offer cereals, fruit and pastries, granola bars etc. but I’d like to offer something a bit more exciting...

Here are some ideas for starters:

1.       Berry & Mascarpone Waffles

This is super easy because there aren't too many fresh ingredients so you can stock up and put it together if, and when, the guests want breakfast. You just need:

-          Toaster waffles – inexpensive/have a long shelf life. Just pop them in the toaster when needed.

-          Mascarpone. Not too expensive at my local supermarket/lasts a reasonable amount of time in the fridge. You could try extra thick Greek yoghurt or Crème Fraiche instead.

-          Frozen berries. The frozen ones come in a large container, cost must less than fresh ones and you just use them as and when you need to.

-          I would add a dusting of icing sugar for presentation.

Photo from: http://www.cbc.ca/inthekitchen/2012/02/waffles-with-berry-and-mascarpone-topping.html

2.       Get out your muffin tray

I never thought of this before, but if you don’t have the time to hover over the stove making a full cooked breakfast using lots of pans, or even an omlet, apparently a muffin tray can be a life saver.

You pop your omelet ingredients into a greased tray and stick it in the oven, resulting in very cute mini omelet muffins. Apparently, these still taste good when reheated in the microwave.

Recipe here: https://laurenconrad.com/blog/2013/04/good-eats-3-busy-girl-breakfasts-overnight-oats-green-smoothie...

A variation on this is to do a cooked breakfast by using bacon as a base, adding an egg and whatever else you fancy.

Image from http://www.bhg.com/recipes/breakfast/easy/easy-breakfast-recipes/?slideId=a415725d-f1ab-4c71-a2d5-4f...

3.       French Crepes (Pancakes)

Pop the crepes on a baking tray, then add some fillings, e.g. eggs and ham or cheese and ham, fold over the edges of the pancake and pop in the oven.

Recipe here: http://www.framedcooks.com/2011/02/ham-and-egg-crepe-squares.html#

This recipe is for making the crepes from scratch, but I just buy the ready-made versions, which are inexpensive considering how many you get in a packet, last a while and probably look prettier than homemade versions, unless you are an expert.

4.       Coddled Eggs

Does anyone know what an egg coddler is? Well, it’s quite an old-fashioned thing, but well worth a try as they look very pretty. I bought some inexpensively on Ebay. You just grease/butter it, add your accompaniment (smoked salmon and dill if you’re treating your guests, spinach, bacon, whatever you like) to the bottom and crack an egg on top (or two if you have a large coddler) and season. Put the lid on and place in a saucepan of water and bring to the boil. Cooking time will depend on if you want the eggs quite soft or more like hard boiled. The little hook on the lid makes it easy to remove from the pan. Serve with toasted bread.

Image from http://www.lavenderandlovage.com/2016/02/coddled-eggs-with-smoked-salmon-dill.html

You can either serve in the coddler, or turn the eggs out onto a plate, for a much fancier version of a poached egg. If you can’t get hold of a coddler, you could try this using small glass jars (Mason jars with lids are great), ramekins or whatever you think will be heatproof in the boiling water.

Image from http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/omelet-on-a-stick-cool-ways-to-cook-an-egg-steamed-coddled-waffle

5.       Bircher Muesli

For a healthy option, this is a simple thing to prep. I do this for myself sometimes, but never thought how pretty it could look if you make individual ones in Mason jars or similar.

Soak some oats in Greek yoghurt and a tiny bit of milk overnight. Layer with berries (frozen work well) in a jar. You could also add slices of frozen banana. I add a bit of vanilla essence to the yoghurt before mixing, but honey is good too. This is a great option if you are not going to be around when the guests eat breakfast as you can just leave it in the fridge for them, and even add individual labels for an added cuteness factor.

Photo from http://iowagirleats.com/2013/01/15/make-ahead-fruit-yogurt-breakfast-parfaits/

Would love to hear more ideas on this!

[Lizzie]

It's understandable @Huma0! hehe

[Huma0]

@Lizzie, forgot to say, i did the berry & mascarpone version mentioned above, which was pretty good. My favourite though, when I lived in Brussels, was with ice cream and Belgian chocolate sauce. You can't beat it, but not sure I'd have it for breakfast!

[Huma0]

1. Make ahead smoothie packs

Here’s another great time saving idea.

Chop and combine your chosen smoothie ingredients, then store in individual portions in the fridge...

Image from: https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/smoothie-packs/

Or, even better, in individual freezer or zip lock bags. Label and pop in the freezer, where they will last for a month. You can then offer your guests a 'smoothie menu' to suit their tastes, without any wastage.

Image from: http://www.thestyleinsider.co.nz/diy-frozen-smoothie-packs-plus-win-months-supply-symbio-breville-bl...

Whizz up when needed, adding fresh yoghurt if you like.

There are loads of recipes on the Internet, but here are some to get you started:

Image from: https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/freezer-smoothie-packs/

1. Breakfast bruschetta

When you want to impress your guests, AND offer them variety, without juggling and washing up a tonne of pans, you could try this.

Recipe here: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/133559945177008275/

1. Breakfast in bread

Slice the top off some crusty bread rolls, hollow out the inside and fill with whatever you like, but cracking an egg on top helps to combine the ingredients. Then place on a baking tray and pop in the oven. This sort of thing is popular in trendy Shoreditch cafes in London, where they charge a premium for it, but it’s a very cost effective breakfast, especially as it’s good for using up leftovers.

Recipe here: http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2012/04/customizable-bread-bowl-breakfast/

Image from: http://gourmandelle.com/delicious-healthy-egg-recipes-for-breakfast/

[Isabelle193]

Very nicely put together however I too notice huge food waste going on at home.  I provide breakfast for my guest and recently total approximately £6 to £8 costs as I buy local products of quality I offer dairy alternatives such as Almond milk which are expensive 1.80£ against normal milk at 0.49pence(U.K.)

[Isabelle193]

I also always have fresh homemade vegetable soup for people who arrive late and feel it's nice to offer a homemade warm soup to welcome tired guests.  What's interesting the guest have to rate us continuously filling endless boxes about accuracy but they never ever mention these details

i even make fresh fruit smoothies for a guest intolerant to wheat.  And as we know fruit and vegetables are very expensive this winter

[Huma0]

Hi @Isabelle193, that's a nice idea. Shame the guests never mention it though! Do you think even if they don't mention it, you get better reviews/star ratings because of it?

[Huma0]

Hi @Isabelle193, I guess when you start to factor in things like food intolerences as well, it begins to get very complicated. I am still unsure if breakfast is something I should try offering. I don't mind the costs as I think these could be factored into my rates, but if the guests don't eat much of it, perhaps it's not worth it. Where I live there are a few options to eat out for breakfast, but I find most of my guests either set off early and grab something in central London, or they buy a few supplies from the supermarket for themselves.

[Lizzie]

How did you breakfast compare today @Huma0? Waffles again? It was another day of porridge for me! 🙂

[Huma0]

Hi @Lizzie yes the waffles again! I am working my way through the mascarpone, but will try something different soon...

[Chris158]

I always try and apply common sense and the KISS principle to AIR BnB activity. Early in my shared hosting days I found I was over supplying when it came to breakfast, so I now offer a simple Continental Breakfast comprised largely of what I provide for myself and family. We enjoy a tropical climate and a hot breakfast is occassional not regular. If a guest requires a hot breakfast they are most welcome to provide the ingredients and use the kitchen and appliances to cook to their own tastes. Some of course prefer to eat out.

Our Continental Breakfast includes fresh organge juice, a meusli type cereal with low fat milk, mixed grain bread slices, butter and a choice of jams, tea/coffee + milk & sugar. On check-in I also provide a chilled carafe of water which is refreshed on a regular basis, plus a bowl of 4 fresh fruit e.g. bananas, apples or stone fruit. Monitoring use is easy and a simple enquiry on guest preferences avoids wastage.

I occassionally get the urge to do a cook up and invite guests to join us, but that really depends on personalities and circumstances.

One of the more enjoyable features of AIR BnB hosting.

Cheers  Chris M.

[Lizzie]

Aw this sounds like a very refreshing breakfast @Chris158 and it is lovely to hear you enjoy this part of hosting so much. I am a cereal person in the morning so this sounds ideal for me! 🙂