If you’re searching for ways to pamper your mom this Mother’s Day, there are few ideas better than a good brunch. You can stick to some of the classics, like eggs Benedict, French toast, and waffles, or you can take advantage of the season and pack her breakfast with spring produce. You can’t go wrong with a breakfast salad or some perfectly ramped-up eggs. If she likes it a bit more sweet, go for a classic coffee cake. No matter what you make, she’ll love it, because that’s just what moms do.
French Baked Toast with Cream and Eggs
This classic French meal of baked, cream-soaked toast and eggs is deceptively simple (and scalable) but lavish. Named for the Alpine region of Bresse, which is best known to the culinary world for its exceptional chickens, the dish is practical country cooking at its finest. As it bakes, the cream soaks into the bread and thickens to a rich sauce right on the platter, resulting in a savory French toast. Get the recipe for French Baked Toast with Cream and Eggs »
Arlene’s Coffee Cake
Contributor Jamie Feldmar gave us this recipe for cinnamon and pecan-laced coffee cake; the original came from her grandmother’s neighbor, and has been passed down through the women in her family. With a tender texture thanks to sour cream in the batter, it will stay moist for several days after baking, making it a great make-ahead dessert or breakfast.
Ramp and Wild Greens Pesto
Fermentation revivalist Sandor Katz makes this punchy pesto to capture the essence of spring. Chickweed, a spicy herb, is his green of choice to pair with ramps, to which he adds mild herbs and sunflower seeds, but you can replace chickweed with watercress, arugula, or any other peppery green. The same goes for the ramps—this pesto works just as well with spring onions or garlic. It will keep in the fridge for a few weeks, and Katz uses it throughout the day: on grits or eggs for breakfast, slathered on sandwiches for lunch, and tossed with potatoes or pasta for dinner. Get the recipe for Ramp and Wild Greens Pesto »
Pineapple and Pine Nut Torte
At Portland, Oregon’s Måurice restaurant, pastry chef Kristen Murray layers sponge cake with buttercream and white chocolate ganache, and garnishes the torte with honeyed pineapple slices and candied pine nuts.
The Moonwalk
Joe Gilmore, legendary Head Barman at the Savoy Hotel’s American Bar, invented this cocktail in 1969 to commemorate the first moon landing. The drink—a combination of grapefruit, orange liqueur, and a hint of rosewater, topped with Champagne—was the first thing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin sipped upon returning to earth.
