Interesting foods to take to a sort-of-business brunch

[Liana Krissoff]

A work contact has invited my husband (and me and our kid) to brunch tomorrow, and we'd like to take something nice—and interesting. I've been cooking so much lately I'm at a loss for ideas. Was thinking a cardamom coffee cake, or the makings of cream tea (homemade clotted cream, a jar of pretty strawberry jam from the batch I put up recently, and scones), or something with smoked salmon. It doesn't have to be something we'd eat right then; it could be more of a gift. Any ideas?

[chowser]

I'd avoid anything brunch-like since she probably has a menu planned and if you brought a coffee cake, she might feel obliged to serve it, even if she has similar items. How about something like biscotti in a pretty container? Focaccia, other home made bread. I think the home made clotted cream and jam sound great, something she could serve or not, since having extra jam is fine (and, personally, I would love receiving home made clotted cream).

[lollya]

what is clotted cream? it sounds so dreadful but intrigues me...i know it's the name...because anything cream must be divine!

[chowser]

I never thought about it but "clotted" does sound bad. It's like a buttery cream spread, consistency like a heavy whipped butter.

[Liana Krissoff]

Here's a link to a description of clotted cream and how to make it, along with pictures. It's truly the best use of cream ever:

http://pieandbeer.blogspot.com/2006/0...

[julesrules]

Yup yup yup! You cannot go wrong with a gift of homemade jam. With the clotted cream you are gold. I wouldn't necessarily do the scones though. It would be too much to serve tomorrow if she already has a menu planned, and Sunday is Mother's Day so her family may have breakfast plans already.
I actually think the jam alone would be lovely. I don't like to overdo (possibly out-do) on the first "date".

[Gin and It]

How about a spinach tart? It can be eaten warm or at RT. Cook up some spinach, parsley, onions, garlic, and lemon juice, squeeze out most of the liquid with cheesecloth, mix with some grated romano and some soft cheese like ricotta or mexican and an egg or two, and spread on pizza dough or a pizza shell. Brush exposed crust with olive oil. Bake at 400 until the top starts to look brown. I use a pizza stone. Cut into slices or squares. This is a very portable snack.