First Things First

BREAKFAST

Drop in on any family at 7 a.m. on a weekday and you’re sure to see the same mad dash—everyone racing to get dressed, gathering up backpacks and lunch bags, and running out the door in time to get to work or school. Our house is no exception! Which is why I’ve come up with this steady rotation of dependable breakfasts that can be made in advance, yet send everyone off feeling full and nourished. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that goes doubly for us. No matter how busy we get, we try to make a point of getting everyone around the breakfast table. Sure, it helps that our boys wake up super early, but when they get up, they’re hungry. That’s when we reach for the Artichoke, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Feta Egg Casserole that just needs to be warmed in the oven or big bowls of our Best-Ever Granola.

Then when the weekend rolls around, we all look forward to a more leisurely morning meal. We still like to keep things simple—because let’s be honest: life!—but we have a little more time to break out classics like Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes, Huevos Rancheros, and my Dad’s world-famous cinnamon rolls, aka Parry Rolls. And we love opening our house to morning guests. We turn on cartoons for the kids, make a platter of fruit salad and scones, and call it a party—all without changing out of our slippers and pj’s! Breakfast or brunch gatherings are a fun, less hectic alternative to a dinner event, especially when it comes to kids because there are no sitters or bedtimes to consider. Plus everyone has to eat breakfast—you might as well do it in good company!