A love letter to Sunday Brunch
Dear Sunday Brunch,
You’re the meal I wait for all week. The one that lets me sleep in, linger over coffee, and gather at the table without a rush. You’re not breakfast, though you borrow its eggs and toast. You’re not lunch, though you happily welcome salads and stews. You’re something softer, slower, and infinitely more joyful—a little celebration that arrives faithfully every weekend.
Sunday brunch, you’ll always be my favourite. The most scrappy, soulful meal of the week. Thank you for being a space where food is more than food, it’s comfort, memory, and connection.
Until next week,
Always yours,
Happy Scraps
Why I’ll Always Choose You
Brunch, you are…
Community: the excuse to gather, laugh, and linger.
Creativity: the space where sweet and savoury share the table.
Comfort: the ritual that fills more than just bellies—it fills hearts.
You give me permission to cook with whatever is on hand, to make do and make magic. You turn scraps into centrepieces, leftovers into treasures, and ordinary Sundays into memories.
A Taste of Vietnam
Twenty years ago, I spent time volunteering in Vietnam. Among many unforgettable experiences, one that has stayed with me most vividly is a meal shared in a humble kitchen. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was perfect.
The dish began with ground beef, browned slowly with warming spices until it was savoury and fragrant. On the side came a freshly cooked egg—sometimes fried, sometimes scrambled, ready to mix in however you liked. The plate was rounded out with slices of fresh tomato and fragrant herbs, and of course, a still warm baguette, crisp on the outside and fluffy within.
It was simple, nourishing, and full of love. That meal reminded me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be extraordinary. Sometimes, the best brunch is the one that connects us to people and places we carry in our hearts.
A Recipe from My Heart
Inspired by that Vietnamese brunch I carry with me, here’s a scrappy love note you can recreate at home:
Sauté any minced meat or plant-based mince with onion, garlic, and your favourite spices.
Cook an egg on the side, fried or scrambled, however you love it best.
Add fresh vegetables and herbs for brightness (tomato, cucumber, basil, mint, or coriander are all perfect).
Serve with toasted bread or baguette, ideal for scooping, dipping, and sharing.
Serve it up with a bowl of steaming Cafe au Lait & you’re in heaven.
It’s simple, adaptable, and filled with heart.
Just like you, dear brunch.
