Most people love to be cooked for, which’s especially true for the person who does most of the day-to-day cooking for their family. If that’s your mom (or another mother you know and love), you can give her a real treat this Mother’s Day by making one or more of these heirloom recipes that I’ve gathered from grandmothers around the world.
Whether it’s breakfast in bed, a basket of sweets, a relaxing afternoon snack, or a full-blown dinner, cooking for the mothers in your life can be a great way of showing your appreciation for everything they do.
Some of my recipes are simple enough that young children can help, while others are geared more toward seasoned cooks, but there’s something here for everyone. Click ahead to see what to cook for your favorite mom this Mother’s Day.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Breakfast & Brunch
Breakfast in bed is a wonderful Mother’s Day tradition. But whether you serve them up in bed, on the patio, or right at the kitchen counter, the following recipes can help you up to your breakfast game and are sure to impress mom.
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Chicken & Waffles
Is there anything better than sleeping in on a Sunday, rolling out of bed, and heading out for Mimosas, or maybe a Bloody Mary with some breakfast and lunch all rolled into one? If there is, it’s staying in bed and getting it all delivered to you in the comfort of your pajamas! And a dish like chicken and waffles from San Francisco’s Farmer Brown’s restaurant makes it that much better.
This is a dish that’s sure to make your mom say, “wow!”
Get the recipe for Farmer Brown’s chicken and waffles
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Chocolate Cherry Muffins
Sure, kids love muffins, but so do a lot of moms. If your mom likes a little something sweet to get her day started, a basket of these moist, chocolatey muffins with a little hint of tangy cherry in them are sure to be a big hit!
Get the recipe for Veronica’s chocolate cherry muffins.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Beignets
Beignets are little squares of fried dough covered in powdered sugar and made famous by Cafe DuMonde in New Orleans’ French Quarter district. They pair perfectly with a cup of your mom’s favorite coffee.
With this recipe, you can bring the flavors of New Orleans right to your mom. And they’re pretty simple to make, too!
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Dutch Baby
If your favorite mom loves pancakes, why not dress it up a bit this Mother’s Day with a Dutch Baby.
Essentially a giant pancake covered in syrup and fruit, the Dutch Baby bakes in the oven, so it’s easier and less time-consuming than standing at the stove flipping hotcakes.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Snacks
Maybe your mom would like a few quiet hours to herself this Mother’s Day. Why not set up some quality “me” time for your mom this year, with a good book, a couple of glasses of wine, and some delicious nibbles. These recipes will have her relaxing (and eating!) in no time.
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Antipasto Platter
If your favorite mom loves some quality cheese and salumi, building an antipasto platter may be the perfect afternoon repast. Best of all, it’s easily customizable, so you can include all her favorites on a beautifully assembled tray.
Get the basics for assembling a beautiful antipasto platter.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Brie en Croute
If your mom loves cheese – like really, really loves cheese – this wheel of brie covered in puff pastry is so good it may get you a pass on being in trouble with her for the next year.
Full recipe:
INGREDIENTS
1 large wheel of triple cream Brie
1 sheet puff pastry
¼ cup brown sugar or honey
¼ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup chopped dried mission figs and/or dried cranberries
1 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons of water
DIRECTIONS
Cut brie in half lengthwise and open like a sandwich. Sprinkle bottom side of brie with brown sugar, pecans, and fruit.
Place on top of puff pastry and place brie half on top. Press down to secure the brie halves. Fold up the puff pastry to fully encase the brie.
Flip over and cover with egg wash.
Freeze for one hour or up to one week.
Preheat oven to 370. Bake brie for 20 to 25 minutes, until pastry has puffed up and is golden brown.
Arrange on a plate with grapes, bread and crackers.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Bruschetta
If light and tangy is more your mom’s style than a big wheel of cheese, whip up some of this delicious bruschetta. It pairs beautifully with a glass of white wine.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Rice Balls
This is my mom’s rice ball recipe, and they have a bit of a following. Whenever I throw a party, she makes about 50 mini rice balls, and I have to hide a few before people show up, or else I don’t get to have one. They are so good. Golden brown and crispy on the outside, they’re also creamy and cheesy on the inside, which makes for a killer combination your mom is sure to love!
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Lunch or Dinner
These recipes are a feast in themselves, but by all means, add a side like a simple, green salad to round them out.
Pro tip: Use the good tableware and add some candles or flowers to the table to make it extra special.
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Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
If you’re not a whiz in the kitchen, this recipe is for you. The whole process won’t take you more than a half-hour, and I’m letting you off the hook with the dough. Go to the dairy section of your grocery store, grab the pre-shredded mozzarella and dough the store makes in the morning, and bag up. Just be sure to top it with your favorite mom’s favorite toppings!
Get the cast iron skillet pizza recipe.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is such a celebrity food nowadays. That’s probably because it’s super high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, plus it tastes so nutty and yummy. So if your mom is into being healthy, she’ll appreciate your focus on nutrition with this dish. And if she doesn’t like some of the ingredients, you can always mix it up. Quinoa tastes great with all sorts of veggies, fruits, nuts and even meat.
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Eggplant Parmigiana
Eggplant parmigiana is one of my favorite things to eat. And, if you know me well, you know I make/eat a lot of different things. So, when I say I LOVE eggplant parmigiana, it means something.
This dish is where my Nonna would stand over the stove for hours, making it classic and timeless. It’s a labor of love dish, with a number of steps that takes some time. So, if you’re going to make this for the special mom in your life, set aside plenty of time.
Get the recipe for eggplant parmigiana.
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Goat Cheese & Asparagus Quiche
Are you crunched for time? You can make this quiche days in advance and heat it up in the oven just a short while before you’re ready to serve it. Even better, it can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Get the goat cheese and asparagus quiche recipe.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Sweets!
Making some delicious sweet treats for your mom is a great way to thank her for all the things she does for you throughout the year. Here are some simple things you can whip up to show mom you care.
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Make Your Mamma Proud Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I was in cooking school, a fellow student made chocolate chip cookies that would make Cookie Monster drool, so I asked her how she became such a cookie whisperer. Her trick was melting the butter first. She said it created a really soft dough with a nutty, toasted flavor.
I was sold. So, I went home and used her method along with Guittard chocolate chunk pieces (thank you, King Arthur Flour website), and I was in heaven. I’ve been making them like this ever since.
Get the chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.
Super Mom Strawberry Shortcakes
I made these as snacks for my son’s preschool class, and they were a big hit. It’s not just the little ones who love these, though. Sweet biscuits, strawberry puree and fresh whipped cream keep everyone coming back for more. I felt like a super mom making them, but especially eating them!
Get the strawberry shortcake recipe.
Image Credit: Anna’s Heirloom Kitchen.