Ideas for Personalizing Mother’s Day

Mother's Day Table Setting

I’m thrilled to be a contributing columnist for our local paper Random Lengths News, which covers the Harbor Area of Los Angeles, where I write about food and entertaining.The following is the column I wrote for Mother’s Day.

Personalizing Mother’s Day

It’s no secret that Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for U.S. restaurants. Take mom out for a nice meal, give her the day off from cooking and cleaning, what a treat! But if you would like to make the day festive and personal, try these tips for “Making Mother’s Day Special” starting her day by fixing breakfast or brunch. And {hint} you can still take her out for dinner!

brunch strata

Prepare a fresh and easy brunch that is on the healthier side. The menu includes a light egg & cheese strata, fresh fruit parfait, with juice, and coffee or tea. The strata provides a delightful savory element, while the parfait adds a sweet note.

strawberry yogurt parfait

Dads and kids can pull this lovely menu together without too much effort. The strata (aka overnight egg casserole) is prepped the night before then easily baked in the morning. Kids can help layer fresh fruit and yogurt for a colorful presentation. Serve juice with a strawberry perched on the rim of the glass for an elegant touch.

Make it personal by adding mom’s favorite ingredients to the strata. Does she like ham, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli? If she likes spicy, serve the strata with salsa on the side. Make the fresh fruit parfaits with the fruits mom likes best.

Mother's Day Table Setting

She will feel special when you pay attention to detail. Set a pretty table with her favorite theme or colors and flowers. Carnations have been the symbol of Mother’s Day for over a century. Why not mix carnations with her most cherished flower? In addition to one arrangement, add a bud vase with a single flower at each place setting. She will be charmed!

Pull on her heartstrings by placing small, framed pictures of your family around the table.  Set the mood by playing mom’s favorite music in the background. And don’t forget to tell her how much you love and appreciate her. Be sure to write your own special message to her in a card.

Lastly, make sure mom relaxes while the whole family pitches in to clean up…leaving her very proud and the kitchen – spotless!

strata recipe

Light Egg & Cheese Strata Recipe (serves 4 – 6)

  • 3 c. cubed dense crusty white bread
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 c. low-fat milk
  • 1  t. dry mustard
  • 3/4  t. salt
  • fresh ground pepper, a few grinds
  • 1 c. grated reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, or mom’s favorite cheese

Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt & pepper together in a large bowl. Place bread in a greased medium-sized baking dish, top with cheese. Pour egg mixture over the bread. If using, add mom’s favorite ingredients (see below). Gently mix it all together, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Additional Ingredient Ideas:

  • 2 c. cubed ham
  • 2 c. blanched asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2” pieces
  • 2 c. sautéed sliced mushrooms
  • 2 c. steamed sliced broccoli florets

Use a single ingredient, or a combination adding up to 2 cups.

broccoli strata, overnight egg casserole

Cook the strata, uncovered, in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes so that the top is a nice golden brown and the custard is set. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

strawberry parfait recipe

Light Fresh Fruit Parfait Recipe

  • fresh fruit
  • jam, preserves, or marmalade
  • lemon or lime
  • non-fat Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain)
  • mint sprig for garnish

strawberry parfait

Slice mom’s favorite fresh fruit into bite sized-pieces. In a medium pan, heat enough jam to generously coat the fruit. When the jam has melted, stir in fruit plus a hearty squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice, then chill slightly.

Brunch parfait

Using clear glasses, alternate yogurt with fruit in layers to make a parfait. Garnish with a mint sprig. (We all really liked the combination of fresh strawberries with orange marmalade and lime juice).

Mother's Day Flowers

Love You Ma! Happy Mother’s Day!

 

 

13 thoughts on “Ideas for Personalizing Mother’s Day”

  1. You are amazing!!! Your Mother is one lucky lady. When will this appear in the paper. I would love to see it.

  2. Terrific post and gorgeous table with delicious food. I want that strata and parfait for Mother’s Day. My adult kids and I will be in Florence for Mother’s Day and if I want to spend the day with them, I have to join them at a Florence-Palermo soccer match. Guess I’ll be going along and cheering with all the other crazy fans.

  3. You have enabled me to see beauty of the heart and the soul and the showing thereof in such lovely ways . . . thank you and shall share . . .

  4. Your blog is always so beautiful. I want to recreate my tablescapes from here. I love how the emphasis is on healthy for Mom! Yeah!

  5. You’re amazing LL and congrats on writing for your paper, they couldn’t have picked a better person! Your tablescapes are always so beautiful as well as your food, you’re an artist!

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