Well the time has just flown by since we last spoke and I certainly had plans to chat with you sooner but sometimes life just gets in the way...
Mother's Day will be with us in just a couple of weeks so are your plans made? Here at Crimson Cottage we have some lovely gifts for that special Mother in your life, stop by and have a look...And keep in mind that we also have Gift Certificates for items in the store as well as the services we offer. So if Mom could use a little Organizing help or Decorating help we would be happy to do it...
So what special things do you do for Mother's Day? Certainly going out to dinner is probably the number one choice of most...And no one likes going out to dinner more than me but I will tell you not on Mother's Day way too crowded...It is a tough call when most of our Mothers have Mothers and for that matter Grandmothers, who takes it on...The guys? Well I guess that may work in some cases but just by my own life experiences, not so much...I mean they can barbecue, but honestly who really does all the work? So I say just face it, it is what it is and if your going to have to do it, do what YOU want and make it easy on yourself.
Plan a nice Brunch, have everyone bring something so you are not overwhelmed and face it we all love to bring something...Do a little menu planning so that you know that all your bases are covered...An egg dish, bread, meat, potatoes and fruit...So here are a few ideas...
So some of the basics of a really good Brunch are keeping it simple...Especially if you are entertaining guests of all ages...Fresh flowers are a must for your table or counter where ever you are arranging it...Arrange the food so that it is easy to reach, you do not want one thing dropping into another. Set up a separate table or area for your drinks, sometime this takes a bit of time and slows your line down. And now for your food...
Don't try a new complicated recipe for the first time, seriously have faith in yourself but if something has a lot of steps and is a little confusing then try it out another time, don't over burden yourself...And now that I have said that here is a great recipe for your egg dish...
Eggs For Brunch
12 eggs
2 cubes butter
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 16 ounce cottage cheese, small curd
1 lb grated jack cheese
1 4 ounce green chili's (mild)
Add any one or a combo of onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach*, sausage or bacon...
Melt butter and whisk in flour and baking powder, whisk your eggs and then add to flour mixture, mixing well. Add your remaining ingredients and pour into a prepared 9 by 13" pan**. Refrigerate overnight.
In the Morning...
Bring to room temperature and bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set. Very easy and your guests will love it...
Use your imagination on you added ingredients, try spinach and artichoke hearts...Add what your family enjoys...
* I use frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry.
**To prepare your pan spray with a cooking spray like Pam.
Now for other items, I would suggest for your bread, serve muffins and bagels with, of course butter and whipped cream cheese alongside. You can make your muffins a day ahead and cover tightly or place in a sealed baggie or purchase them, although the ones at the store tend to be a little large...Pick up your bagels at your favorite bagel spot...Potatoes, either simple roasted potatoes or a cheese potato casserole...The casserole can be made the day before and then cooked at the same time you bake your egg dish...Here is that recipe...
Cheese Potatoes
1 large package frozen hash browns, thawed*
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
16 ounces of sour cream
1/2 cube melted butter
salt and pepper to taste
Mix together soup, sour cream,cheese and butter. Add potatoes and mix well. Spoon or pour into a prepared 9 x 13" baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
You can use another type of cheese if your prefer, if your watching your fat, it will be fine without the butter. Add sliced green onion or bacon if you wish, make it your own. This is easy and delicious...
*Diced potatoes not shredded
For your meat...And keeping it simple...If you are going to serve bacon and or sausage cook it a day or 2 ahead and refrigerate, BUT make sure you under cook it a bit...On the day of the brunch place it on a foil lined baking sheet, make sure baking sheet has a lip on it, and place it in a 300 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes and you will have perfect bacon and sausage with no mess to clean up...
Always serve fruit...Whatever any one likes, whether it is a fruit salad or just strawberries or a platter with different melons it just would not be brunch without it...
Okay so there you have it your Mother's Day Brunch...
If you have any questions or further ideas let me know...
Talk Soon
Caren
