Brunch

Using frozen hash brown potatoes really reduces prep time. This easy hash goes well with fried or poached eggs and some steamed broccoli.

A moist and flavorful banana-nut muffin with a distinctly tropical twist.

Brunch drinks get updated with this take on the traditional duo of orange juice and champagne. Note that freshly squeezed orange juice is not the best choice here, as its intense taste can overwhelm the other juices. Topping the drink with a boysenberry "floater" creates a vibrant color contrast.

This strata is ideal for Christmas morning — it is assembled a day ahead and baked just before serving. Mimosas are a nice addition to the menu.

Flat omelets known as frittatas are popular throughout mainland Italy. In Apulia, this version is made to celebrate the harvest of spring onions.

Most of the work on this dish is done the day before, leaving plenty of time in the morning for opening presents or simply sleeping in.

Aurelia C. Scott of Portland, Maine, writes: "I would love to know how to make the red pepper frittata on the breakfast menu at the fabulous Five Gables Inn, in East Boothbay, Maine."

Easy sides would be a salad of mixed lettuces with balsamic vinaigrette, a whole wheat baguette and roasted baby potatoes. Finish with apple tarts.

Hangtown Fry This omelet hails from Hangtown, a town northeast of Sacramento that was named for the notorious hangings once held there (it's now called Placerville). The dish seems to have come into existence during the Gold Rush, as the high-priced breakfast of a lucky miner, and later became a specialty at San Francisco's Tadich Grill. It is traditionally served with bacon.

Complete this one with cherry tomatoes, potato chips, and lemonade.

These hot dog buns look very much like éclairs, which is no coincidence — they're made from pâte à choux instead of yeast dough. For more information about making pâte à choux, see If the Choux Fits Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

This pizza is made with no toppings other than oil and salt and should be served as a snack. It's not really a cracker, but it's crisper than focaccia. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

"A friend of mine insisted I try the red bell pepper bisque at Ristorante Grano in Williamsville, a suburb of Buffalo," says Lucy Mitchell of Grand Island, New York. "I did, and now I'm hoping to prepare it at home."

Minus the ice cream, this delicate pudding makes a wonderfully indulgent breakfast.

The best smoothies are made with very ripe fruit. Mango, pineapple and banana team up with light coconut milk in this one.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Despite its name, this dish is not rice at all but noodles—and not even rice noodles but shimmering, transparent bean threads with lots of chicken flavor. Got that straight?