Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is just four short weeks away, have you started planning yet? I am the mother of two children and grandmother to 3 and I prefer to stay home and not join the throngs of people dining out.  In fact, I wouldn’t mind cooking if that meant my entire family would be together at once. I’ll take it a step further and host my children and grandchildren on Saturday. If, however, you prefer to take Mom out, consider other days besides Mother’s Day. Another suggestion would be to cater the dinner and enjoy it at home thus allowing younger children a bit more freedom.
 
Perhaps you’re sharing the cooking duties with family. I have some wonderful recipes for appetizers. If available by Mother’s Day, Garlic Scape Salad Dressing is decidedly different and delicious on a tossed salad. Marinated Beet Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese is also tasty. If you want to hit wider range of palates, create a charcuterie board using Alexian Pâté. If you’re not sure how to build a charcuterie board, I’ve provided a link to “Better Homes and Garden’s” website for instructions.

If you decide to have dinner at home, here are some thoughts for main courses. I recently made Spicy Citrus Skirt Steak for dinner. Instead of skirt steak, a bavette steak was recommended to me by the butchers at Palmer’s Quality Meats in Neptune, NJ. Bavette is a flap steak from either the abdominal muscular or lower chest area of the cow. The steak has a loose texture and isn’t tough or chewy. The price point is less than a hanger or skirt steak. Mom won’t be disappointed with this preparation and neither will your meat eaters.
 
Pasta is always a good option when serving a crowd. Eric Kim’s recipe for Ricotta Pasta alla Vodka, Shrimp Tasca with Spaghettini from Delicious Orchards is a delightful seafood pasta, as is Shrimp Risotto from America’s Test Kitchen.
 
Need a decadent seafood entree, look no further than Ina Garten’s Lobster Mac’n Cheese recipe. My son-in-law has prepared this for my daughter for Mother’s Day and on occasion, it was a pasta course for a holiday dinner.
 
No occasion is complete without dessert I loved the Baci di Dama cookies that America’s Test Kitchen demonstrated back in August. Need something gluten-free, Spanish Almond Cake from 177 Milk Street was heavenly. If you desire something light with fruit, this “vintage” recipe from “Gourmet Magazine” for Minted Berry Sponge Cakes is fabulous.
 
Perhaps you’re considering a brunch. On my website’s recipe page there’s a list of baked goods that includes muffins, quick breads and an extensive list of breakfast items. I’m particularly fond of the Baked Blueberry-Pecan French Toast which is a great do-head recipe. Frittatas are also great for large gatherings as they can feed at least 8 people.
 
While mom is waiting for her special meal to be prepared, may I suggest a beverage for her, white sangria. I like to refer to this as “Mommy’s Happy Juice.”
 
There are many more recipes on my website. If you’re taking Mom out, make your reservations now. If you’re considering cooking, contact your local butcher and get your order in early for special cuts of meats or roasts. Lastly, if you’re cooking, select your recipes, read them over, create your shopping list followed by a “to do priority list” to preparing the meal. ​