By Khaleel Williams
Mother’s Day is the day where we celebrate the women in our lives and they deserve it. They deserve to have the day off and be treated like the queens they are. There are very few better ways to show your appreciation for someone than making them a home-cooked meal. Here are some potential ideas for breakfast, dinner, and even dessert for Mother’s Day with links to the original sources so you can gather all of the ingredients!
Breakfast
Blueberry Pancakes
A simple breakfast idea that smaller children can help with. Sprinkle confectioners sugar and fresh fruit for a more gourmet twist.
- Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. In a separate large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sour cream, half the melted butter and the vanilla, whisking to blend. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the egg mixture into it. Whisk the ingredients together just until blended. Fold the blueberries and lemon zest into the batter.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and coat with some of the remaining melted butter. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into the hot skillet. Cook 3 or 4 pancakes at a time, depending on the size of the skillet. If the batter seems too thick, thin it with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. When bubbles begin to form and “pop” on the pancake’s surface, after about 1 minute, and the outer edge looks done, flip it over and cook briefly for about 30 seconds on the other side.
Crepes with Peanut Butter and Jam
Tired of pancakes every weekend? Try your hand at Crepes!
- In a blender, combine the eggs, milk, flour, sugar and salt. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth batter. Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Melt 1 cube of butter in the pan. Add 1/4 cup of batter and quickly tilt the pan to form an even coating of batter on the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 minute, until set and slightly browned. Using a heat-resistant spatula, carefully loosen the sides and gently flip the crepe over. Cook for 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining batter and butter, stacking the crepes on top of each other on a plate as they are ready. You should have 8 or 9 crepes total. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to each crepe and, using the back of a spoon, spread evenly over the crepes, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread 2 teaspoons of jam over the peanut butter. Line 5 to 6 blueberries along the center of each crepe. Fold the crepe in half over the blueberries. Fold the two ends inward and continue to roll into a tube shape. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Cut each crepe in half horizontally and arrange on a platter. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Lazy Sunday Mimosa
Whether you choose pancakes or crepes, pair with a mimosa for some fun brunch vibes.
- Dip the rims of the champagne flutes in water. Dip again in the sanding sugar.
- Divide Champagne between 2 glasses. Add half of both juices to each glass and top with orange liqueur.
Dinner
Oxtails
Impress mom with your cooking skills with this oxtail recipe. Serve with a side of rice.
- Place oxtails, garlic, onions, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, Greek seasoning, and seasoning salt in a large stock pot. Fill with enough water to cover oxtails, and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat, and reserve 2 cups broth.
- Warm bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and browning sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until gravy thickens. Remove from heat.
- Place oxtails in skillet, and stir to coat with gravy. Return to stove, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Baked Ham
For those a little less comfortable in the kitchen, try your hand at this baked ham recipe. It’s all about the glaze, but pair with some simple mashed or baked potatoes and you’re ready to serve some comfort food.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Combine dijon mustard and pineapple juice. Brush over ham.
- Place in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Roast 12-15 minutes per pound (or according to package directions).
- Meanwhile, combine glaze ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer 2-3 minutes. Cool.
- 15 minutes before ham is done, remove from the oven and turn the oven up to 425°F.
- Brush with glaze and return to the oven until the glaze is caramelized and the ham has reached the safe cooking temperature.
Steamed Crab Legs
Crab legs have been all the rage lately, but can be so expensive when you order out. Try your hand at this simple recipe. Pair with corn and potatoes.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a steamer basket over the boiling water. Place crab legs in steamer basket. Put lid on to cover and steam 5-7 minutes. Remove and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
Desserts
Flan
If you’re really trying to impress mom, try this flan recipe. Just remember not to leave the kitchen a mess!
- Bring plenty of water to a boil in a pot or kettle to use as a water bath (the flan will be baked in a dish set in a roasting pan surrounded by the boiling water). Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- For the caramel topping: have an ungreased 9-inch by 2-inch cake pan ready or a 2-quart round baking dish or soufflé pan.
- In a medium saucepan whisk together 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water. Set over medium heat, cook stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved and mixture begins to boil.
- Once boiling stop stirring and let cook until it’s nearing just an amber color. Remove from heat, let rest 5 seconds then add remaining 1 Tbsp. warm water (it will steam and sputter slightly so stand back!), whisk to blend.
- Immediately pour caramelized sugar into cake pan or 2-quart baking dish and carefully tilt in a circular motion to coat the entire surface of bottom of the pan (careful pan will be hot!). Set aside.
- For the flan custard mixture: in a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer blend together cream cheese and 2 Tbsps. sugar just until smooth.
- Mix in eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition. Then mix in sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.
- Pour milk mixture over caramel layer in cake pan. Set pan in a roasting pan large enough to fit with extra space surrounding. Pour in enough boiling water to reach about halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
- Bake until nearly set (it should still wiggle just slightly when jiggled), about 50 – 60 minutes.**
- Carefully remove from water bath (roasting pan with water) and set on wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Transfer to fridge and let chill 4 hours.
- Run a sharp knife around the flan right up next to the pan, then place a large rimmed serving plate over the pan. While holding the plate in place, flip the flan to the opposite side and let it fall onto the plate.
- Slice and serve. Store in refrigerator.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
You can’t go wrong with cookies! Need we say more?
- Whisk the dry ingredients together. Just the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt– you’ll add the oats later.
- Mix the wet ingredients together.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Add the oats and chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and sticky.
- Chill the cookie dough. I recommend at least 45 minutes in the refrigerator, which helps prevent the cookies from overspreading.
- Scoop cookie dough balls. About 3 Tablespoons of dough per cookie– yes, these are LARGE!
- Bake. The cookies are done when the edges are set and the centers still look soft.
Bread Pudding
For mom who enjoys something a little different, try your hand at this bread pudding recipe.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm milk, butter, vanilla, sugar and salt. Continue cooking just until butter melts; cool. Meanwhile, butter a 4-to-6-cup baking dish and fill it with cubed bread.
- Add eggs to cooled milk mixture and whisk; pour mixture over bread. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until custard is set but still a little wobbly and edges of bread have browned. Serve warm or at room temperature