An elegant, gourmet brunch served by candlelight and accompanied by warm hospitality is a hallmark at The Empress, a Little Rock, Arkansas Bed and Breakfast Inn. Our candlelit morning meal, always included with your accommodations, is an excellent addition to any romantic getaway in Central AR! .

Below you will find just a sample of our guest's favorites recipes. Please enjoy them and if you pass this way, take the opportunity to share an elegant repast "before The Queen". (Victoria graces every meal with her presence at The Empress.) Feel free to share them with others.

Just tell them you found them at The Empress!

Cream of Apple Soup
4 baking apples
1 cup of water
1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg - for garnish
1 cup whipping cream, 2% milk

Directions

Peel, core, & quarter apples. Place in 3 qt. saucepan w/water, sugar, lemon juice. Cook over low heat until soft & falling apart (approx. 30 to 40 mins.). Mash w/potato masher. Add more water as needed. Add whipping cream & milk to desired consistency.

Baked Alaska Orange

3 oranges, halved
½tsp. sugar
3 egg whites

Directions:

Cut orange in halves. Slice the bottom of orange to make it sit even. Beat egg whites to make meringue. Add sugar. Continure to beat until dissolved. Peak on orange halves. Bake at 350 for 8 to 12 minutes.

Shirred Eggs En Crouté
1 pkg. puff pastry shells
1-10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach - thawed, drained, & chopped
bacon, cooked & chopped
½c. cheese sause; made of ½ cup of milk, 1 heaping Tbls. flour, & ½ cup of cheddar

Directions:

Mix cheese, milk, & flour. Heat to thicken, stirring constantly. Add cheddar. Set aside. Bake pastries as directed. Scoop out center. Mix bacon with spinach & add to cheese sauce. Put sauce inside pastry shell. Bring two(2) cups of water to boil. Break four(4) eggs into a small bowl. Swirl water with spoon and slip eggs into center. Allow to cook slowly(3-4 mins), until white is cooked but yolk is still runny. Scoop out eggs & place in "spinach nest". Top w/hollandaise sauce & serve.

Busy Day Hollandaise Sauce
1 stick of butter
3 egg yolks
2 Tbls. lemon juice

Directions:

Melt butter. Mix egg yolks & juice in blender. Blend for 30 seconds. Pour in hot butter slowly.

Order your own copy of favorite "brunches" -
Jewels from The Empress, A Bruch For All Seasons.
13 Elegant brunches with menu's, recipes,
and short cuts! Each copy $10.00. See our gift shop for more details.

Empress Reservation line
(877) 374-7966