MOTHER’S Day is less than a week away and many are cracking their heads trying to think of special things they can do for that special woman in their life. How can last year’s treats or gifts be bettered?
You could spend the next few days hitting the streets in the hopes of finding a gift that’s more personal than a Mother’s Day mug, or try crafting a beautiful card with words that would hopefully move her to tears.
Or maybe you can find an activity that can be enjoyed by the both of you. But if time is your enemy, there’s a simpler yet effective way to make your mother feel special — make her breakfast in bed.
If you’re not used to cooking and you’re convinced that this is a terrible idea because you might mess it up, don’t be too worried. The steps to follow are pretty simple.
SELECT THE RIGHT RECIPE
This is the easiest part when deciding to make a dish. After all, there are thousands of recipes online that can teach you how to make a breakfast in bed. But a mother’s day meal should be more than just an omelette you learnt from YouTube. Whatever you opt for should reflect just how much you care for her.
So this isn’t about complicated cooking techniques or the best ingredients. It’s about the right dish and components that will give the maximum “awww” effect when your mother is presented with it. Maybe eggplant is her favourite or peas is what she used to mash for you when you were a baby, or maybe she has called you and your siblings “pumpkin” growing up. Pick recipes that revolve around those special ingredients and just ensure the end result tastes good.
NOTHING MESSY AND KEEP IT HEALTHY
In addition to choosing your mother’s favourite ingredients, there are other things to consider when you opt to make your mum breakfast in bed. For example, while nasi lemak or lontong might make for a delicious breakfast, it isn’t the easiest thing to eat when you’re on the bed. Pick items that aren’t too messy or oily because you don’t want your poor mum to have to deal with a huge mess.
Another thing to consider is how healthy the meal is going to be. On top of having to work, take care of family and run errands, these superwomen also usually want to maintain their figures. So it might be a nice touch to make something healthy so they can fully enjoy their meal without feeling too guilty.
PERSONAL TOUCHES
While the main dish does play a huge role in the success of your gesture, you must also remember that a “breakfast in bed” constitutes more than just a plate of scrambled eggs. Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean that you need to spend two whole days in the kitchen preparing five different dishes. It just means that you need to present her with a well thought out breakfast.
For example, you can consider serving her favourite morning drink, and maybe you can cut some of her favourite fruits to go with that. You could also add some personal touches like a rose and use the best cutlery and crockery you have access to. After all, it’s about making her feel special, not just feeding her.
Finally, don’t forget that this is supposed to be a treat for your beloved mother. This means that she shouldn’t have to lift a finger during the entire process. Essentially, you shouldn’t be making or leaving a mess when you decide to prepare a meal for her in her kitchen. Because making her clean up after you’re done with all the cooking will make the day far less special.
If you’re still uncertain about what you could prepare for your mother for her special day, try using my blueprint. I always make a baked egg dish like a frittata or a quiche as I can add all of her favourite ingredients without having to think of a new recipe.
I also always serve her a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with her favourite fruits and some muesli for texture. The best part about my blue print is that it’s something I can prepare the day before. Baked egg dishes are best served at room temperature or even slightly cold so the only thing I need to prepare in the morning is my mother’s coffee.
Salmon and Tomato Fritata Recipe
6 eggs
½ cup of whipping cream
½ cup of tasty cheese, grated
1 onion, sliced and caramelised
1 large tomato
4 strips of salmon, diced
¾ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon paprika
Optional: diced herbs
Method:
1.Pre heat the oven to 180˚ C.
2.Spray a cupcake tray with cooking oil and set it aside.
3.In a large bowl whisk the eggs and cream together until fully combined.
4.Mix the cheese, onion, salmon, salt, herbs and paprika into the egg mixture.
5.Slice the tomato into six pieces and set aside.
6.Pour egg mixture into cupcake tray and place the tomato on top.
7.Bake for 10 -15 minutes, or until egg mixture is set.
8.Set aside to cool completely before unmolding.
Berry Yogurt Bowl:
1 cup of Greek yoghurt
3 tbps of muesli or granola
2 tbps of honey
6 Strawberries
Method:
1. Mix greek yoghurt with honey and pour it into a bowl.
2. Arrange the strawberries on top, and sprinkle the muesli.