Let's do brunch.
Sleep in, then savor the weekend with an indulgent spread. Lure your friends over with a freshly baked galette, eggs two ways, whipped ricotta, and bubbly mimosas at a perfectly set table with a soundtrack as easy as Sunday morning—all with a little help from Fable.
The Setting
Setting the Perfect
Brunch Table
You've got the spread down, but how's your presentation? Here's our guide to setting the perfect brunch table, whether you're keeping it casual or going all out.
Meet Claire
With a lifelong love of baking and a deep-rooted appreciation for all things fresh, seasonal, and local, Claire Livia Lassam is a chef worth knowing.
Drawing inspiration from the farmers markets of the world and her Italian heritage, she’s the culinary force behind Livia—a bakery, restaurant, wine bar, and all around neighborhood gem in Vancouver, BC that’s as lauded for its sit-down fare as its freshly baked loaves and pastries. The ever-changing menu has a special allure, drawing weekend crowds that snake around the corner and down the block.
She invited us into her kitchen to share a few well-kept culinary secrets to crafting the perfect brunch spread.
The Spread
Wild Mushroom
& Ricotta Galette
What could be better than wild mushrooms and ricotta neatly folded into a flaky pastry nest, sprinkled with fresh herbs? Make this rich, savory galette the star of your table with a little help from Claire. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, swap them out for anything you like—sweet or savory.
You'll need
filling
- 6 cups mixed raw mushrooms, sliced or torn
- 2 cups ricotta
- zest of 1 lemon
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
pastry
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, very cold
- zest of 1 lemon
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp cream or milk
The Sides
How-Tos with Claire
We teamed up with Claire to share a few tricks of the brunch trade, like how to make a silky soft scramble, the best whipped ricotta, and the art of the flawless poach. Thank us later.
How to
The Perfect Poach
How to Poach Eggs
Step 1
Get a tall pot and fill it almost all the way to the top with water, and bring to a simmer. Pour in a tablespoon or two of white vinegar.
Step 2
Using a large spoon, slowly stir the pot to create a gentle whirlpool. Crack your eggs into the center, continuing to gently stir the water for a few seconds.
Step 3
Let the water settle and cook until the yolks are soft, but the whites have firmed up—about 2-3 minutes. And there you have it—perfectly poached eggs.
How to
Whipped Ricotta
How to Whip Ricotta
Step 1
Add a tub of ricotta to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, and whisk on high speed for 5-10 minutes until the ricotta is almost smooth.
Step 2
Add in a serious pinch of salt and the zest of a lemon. Using a spatula, stir to combine.
Step 3
Put the ricotta in a bowl, and drizzle an abundance of olive oil on top. Add some fresh herbs or flowers if you have them—if not, it’s lovely as is!
How to
The Soft Scramble
How to Soft Scramble Eggs
Step 1
Crack your eggs into a bowl—usually 2 eggs per person—and whisk like all heck. Add in a healthy splash of heavy cream and a big pinch of salt, and whisk to combine.
Step 2
Over medium-high heat, warm up a non-stick or cast iron pan. Add in a good chunk of butter and let it melt half way, then pour in the egg mixture.
Step 3
Stir regularly—but not too quickly—so that big chunks of egg come together. As soon as the eggs are cooked but still soft and shiny, serve them up!
The Sounds
Fable Audio 002
Once the table is set for runny yolks and clinking glasses, create the right ambience with a playlist that's smooth as the first sip of your perfectly seasoned Bloody Mary. Ours ticks every box, from chill to upbeat.
