How to Host a Virtual Galentine’s Day Brunch at Home

Over the years I’ve thoroughly enjoyed indulging my lady friends with special Galentine’s brunch plans, but this year I wasn’t so sure it would be possible. Thankfully we have such platforms as zoom and facetime to connect with friends and loved ones. This year to celebrate my favorite girls’ holiday I partnered with local food stylist and photographer Lauren Lear to share a simple, yet chic Galentine’s inspired brunch that you can easily recreate this weekend at home. The best part is you can share the post with your friends and you can each prepare the recipes and hop on a video call to feel as though you’re together for a fancy brunch. Keep scrolling for inspiration and tasty recipes…

I hope that when you see these images you sense the beauty and creative joy that cooking and entertaining has to offer. I look at food styling and cooking as a form of liveable art. I can only liken it to how when you see someone such as Lauren intuitively toss pea shoots on a white plate to begin styling the brioche toast that it is no different than seeing a young Picasso begin to apply oils on a blank canvas. My hope with posting these images and write up is that you feel encouraged to bring some beauty and splendor into your own home kitchens by simply feeling encouraged to cook. These easy to make recipes and simple styling techniques may look picture-esque, but I promise you that they are doable to recreate at home for even the novice chef.

Here are Lauren’s top food styling tips:

I like to use neutral light-colored plates to be a blank canvas to highlight the colors and textures of the food. I think of it as building a scene or laying paint on a canvas. Start with your foundation, the grounding piece that the magic will rest on. Then add the hero piece or pieces. Then a final touch of sparkle to finish it off. 

Some tips I’ve learned along the way: 

• I love antiquing for utensils and surfaces. If you find a unique piece, grab it, you will most likely use it. The more rustic the better. 
• Make or repurpose props and backgrounds when you can, you can customize them to your theme and it will mean more. 
• Messy is good, perfect is boring. Make the scene look “lived in” with crumbs or sauces out of place.

Citrus Beet Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

/ 2 ruby red grapefruits
/ 3 cara cara oranges
/ 2 blood oranges
/ 1 cup pea shoots
/ ¼ blood orange olive oil
/ cup mint, chiffoned
/ 3 small pre-cooked beets, sliced
/ 1 tsp flaky sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Plate pea shoots on a large serving platter.
2. Slice each citrus end to end in ¼ in slices. Take each slice and cut six sides, making a hexagon shape. Repeat with all citrus and set aside.
3. Arrange citrus slices and beet slices in a decorative arrangement alternating by shape, size, and color.
4. Top with mint and salt. Drizzle with olive oil.

To host a beautiful Galentine’s brunch all you need is a floral arrangement, plates, place settings, and silverware. Personally, I go to Harmon’s Floral Company for my floral arrangements, and no matter the occasion they can design a one-of-a-kind centerpiece. For this shoot, we wanted to create a feminine valentine’s feel, but not have to rely on traditional roses and pink hues to do so. Instead, we went for red peachy tones and rustic elements.

We decided on a menu of delicious brioche toast and juicy citrus salad because both recipes are not only easy to make, but they can be plated stylishly with very little effort. Impress your friends (and yourself) by tossing edible flowers as garnish.

Paloma With A Twist Recipe

INGREDIENTS

/ 2 oz tequila
/ 2 oz Ruby Red Rose Wine
/ 2 oz grapefruit juice
/ 2 oz champagne
/ 1 cup crushed ice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix tequila, wine, and juice in a cocktail mixing glass with ice.
2. Add crushed ice to two glasses. Pour into glasses and top with champagne. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and mint.

We’ve covered the food needed to host a virtual Galentine’s brunch, but what does one wear to such an event? Both Lauren and I wore feminine tops with classic jean bottoms, however, you can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. For some, this could be a boho floral maxi dress and for others a matching lounge suit. The important thing is not your clothing, but ultimately the friendships that bring you together for brunch. 

Poached Eggs and Pesto on Brioche Recipe

INGREDIENTS

/ 4 slices brioche bread
/ 4 eggs
/ 1 6 oz jar of pesto
/ 2 tbsp butter, melted
/ 2 tbsp white vinegar
/ 1 cup pea shoots

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat a skillet to medium. Brush butter on one side of bread. Once the skillet is sizzling, lightly brown the brioche bread. Repeat for all four slices. Set aside.
2. Heat a medium saucepan to high and boil water. Crack an egg into a ramekin. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat. Using a whisk create a vortex by spinning the water gently, but swiftly until it creates a funnel. Then drop in the cracked egg and set your timer for 3 minutes. Once it is ready scoop it out with a slotted spoon and rest on a plate with a paper towel. Repeat for the remaining eggs.
3. Plate your toast and top with poached eggs and a dollop of pesto, garnish with pea shoots. Enjoy!

Photography by Lauren Lear