Mother's Day Brunch Menu & Recipes

Both of the recipes provided can be made the night before, to make it easier to enjoy your day.

Mother’s Day Brunch Menu

Chilled Tomato Juice & Chilled Cranberry Juice
Carrot & Celery Platter
Judy’s Breakfast Casserole (recipe provided)
Fresh Melon Slices & Red Grapes
Martha’s Cheese Grits (recipe provided)
Bagels and Cream Cheese

Judy’s Breakfast Casserole

My sister Judy has made this several times. It is wonderful! And you can make it the night before.

2 large baking potatoes, unpeeled and cubed
¼ cup butter or margarine
¼ cup all purpose flour
1-cup milk
1 cup half and half
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
½ teaspoon pepper
12 hard cooked eggs, sliced
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups soft whole wheat bread crumbs (4 slices bread)
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Cover potato cubes with water in a large saucepan. Boil 15 minutes just until tender. Melt the ¼ cup butter in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, a few minutes to cook off the flour taste. Gradually add milk and half and half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Add cheese, Italian seasoning and pepper stirring constantly until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Layer half each of egg slices, bacon and cheese sauce in a lightly greased 13x9x2 casserole dish. Top with potatoes. Top with remaining egg slices, bacon and cheese sauce. Combine breadcrumbs and 3 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle over casserole. Cover and chill overnight, if desired. Remove from refrigerator. Let stand at room temp for 30 minutes. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Makes 10 servings.


Martha’s Cheese Grit Casserole

My mom made this, a Kentucky favorite. Make it the night before as well.

4 cups water
1-cup grits
1-teaspoon salt
½ stick butter
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon minced onion (can use dried, just use ½ teaspoon)
Pinch of minced garlic
Pepper on top

Bring water to a boil, stir in grits, and cook, stirring frequently until thickened. Remove from heat. Add butter, salt, cheese, onion, and garlic. Stir and put lid on pot. After 5 minutes, pour into a greased casserole dish. It will appear a little thin. Refrigerate overnight, and bake the next morning at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

I took this to a Derby Party – only I added ½ pound fried and crumbled bacon. Yum!

Mother's Day Breakfast - Easy Pancakes, Brown Sugar Bacon and Homemade Syrups!

There's nothing wrong with having a pancake breakfast for Mother's Day. It's nice to get all the celebrating out of the way, and if you use these recipes you will look like a master!

When I make pancakes, I do mix the dry to the wet ingredients but I mix it in a large glass measuring bowl which has a lip. It makes it easy to pour on to the griddle. The griddle I use is a nice heavy cast iron griddle, and I use a little butter to grease it. I also use medium heat, as a matter of fact, I use medium to low heat. And I only turn my pancakes once; when the bubbles on the top of the batter start to appear, I flip it and let it cook on the other side just a minute or so. I remove the pancakes to a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper, and you can keep them warm in a low oven (I use 170 degrees.) Any pancakes left over can be stored in the refrigerator and warmed up the next few days with great 'just made' results! Also, I've got some suggestions as an alternative to your standard syrup. I don't know what it is, but when you make a special syrup for an occasion, people are so impressed.

Catt's Orange Buttermilk Pancakes (my favorite, I love orange)

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 cup orange juice
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Combine all dry ingredients; in a different bowl, mix wet ingredients. Combine the dry and wet ingredients, and whisk just until combined. Keep in mind, the mixture can still be slightly lumpy - it's ok and will actually make the best, fluffy pancakes. Follow cooking instructions above.

The recipe below is the one my mom used as a general rule. It's easy to make, and you can use different syrups to flavor them.

Mom's Pancakes

2 cups Bisquick
1 3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

Mix ingredients just until combined. Cook as above.

This is my recipe for pancakes that taste just like a Snickerdoodle.

Catt's Snickerdoodle Pancakes

2 cups Bisquick
1 cup of milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
Cinnamon sugar to sprinkle after pancakes are cooked

Mix ingredients just until combined. Cook as above. When you remove them from the griddle, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. These are great served with warm honey.

You can make any pancake special if you serve them with warm, homemade syrups. So easy to put together too.

Lemon / Raspberry Syrup

1 pint raspberries
1 cup corn syrup (I use light colored as opposed to dark, I like the flavor)
2 teaspoons lemon zest

Heat on low heat in a heavy medium saucepan, until heated through.

Homemade Tropical Syrup

1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
Sugar, to taste

Heat on low in a heavy medium saucepan, stirring frequently and slowly adding sugar until it's as sweet as you want. This is fantastic served with a side of toasted coconut.

And speaking of toasted coconut.....

Catt's Sticky Bun Syrup

1 jar caramel ice cream topping
1 cup toasted coconut
1 cup toasted pecans

Heat on low in a heavy medium saucepan, stirring frequently.

Don't forget, you can give a jar of homemade syrup as a gift - it's a thoughtful touch and you can be certain it's not something they'll get two of.

One more trick that will impress:

Bacon, regular and Brown Sugar Bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a heavy cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil: lay out bacon, making sure the bacon doesn't touch. Sprinkle half the bacon lightly with dark brown sugar. Bake, watching carefully (it burns quick) until crispy.

Happy Mother's Day!