Saturday, April 27, 2019

How to Pull Off the Perfect Breakfast in Bed for Mother’s Day

Mother's Day breakfast in bed how to pull off a perfect breakfast in bed

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show appreciation for that special maternal figure in your life, be it your actual mom, your children’s mom, or even your partner who is pretty good at keeping the pet goldfish alive. For these people that go the extra mile all year ‘round, the least we can do is give them a chance to relax with that tried-and-true Mother’s Day gift: breakfast in bed! To make sure this breakfast-in-bed endeavor goes smoothly and results in the intended rest and enjoyment (and not more stress!), let’s talk about what tools you need, what you should serve, and some additional tips to keep in mind throughout.

The Gear

First, make sure you have the all-important bed tray! You can go as basic as this Home-it Bed Tray, or you can even work an extra gift into the day by customizing this vintage-style, personalized serving tray with Mom’s name, initials, or favorite “Downton Abbey” quote. A serving tray with legs makes for more comfortable in-bed dining, and if you opt for the type with a lip, then you’re less likely to spill coffee and crumbs all over the bed—definitely preferable to creating a big mess!

breakfast in bed tray Amazon

Amazon

Depending on Mom’s preferences, you might also want to have a few of these other serving items on-hand to help things go smoothly. If a morning mimosa would be a welcome addition, skip the stemmed champagne flutes (ready to topple over and break with the slightest jostle), and go with something sturdy like this Corkcicle Stemless Champagne Flute. For coffee-drinkers, an extra-special touch could be serving fresh coffee, ready-to-press in this cheerful-looking Bodum French Press. And, if soft-boiled eggs are on the menu, a stylish and practical egg cup like this ceramic egg server will make for a pretty way to serve an egg with toast or pastries (or toaster pastries). If mom likes flowers, add a small vase with a single stem to the tray too (and give her a bigger bunch later).

Corkcicle Stemless Flute in Unicorn Magic, $19.95 on Amazon

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Bodum Brazil French Press, $14.99 on Amazon

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BTR Ceramics Egg Cup, $16 on Etsy

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Chive Clay Bud Vases, 6 for $34.85 on Amazon

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The Menu

Speaking of eggs, let’s talk about what to serve! Keep in mind that this day is about the guest-of-honor: Mom, or that wonderful mom-like figure in your life. This is the time to think about what she likes—if Mom doesn’t like runny yolks, soft-boiled or over-easy eggs are not the way to go. However, if Mom does like soft-boiled eggs, check out our guide for Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs. Serve shell-on in that egg server with the little accompanying spoon, and provide warm toast to help soak up that delicious yolk, as well as some butter and jam options.

perfect soft-boiled eggs

Chowhound

For the health-minded mom, overnight oats are a great option that also save you some morning-prep time. Take a look at this copycat Chilled Swiss Oats recipe—you set it up the night before, and you only have to stir and top with almonds the next morning. Or, for a more savory option, try our recipe for Healthy Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwiches. With eggs, kale, avocado, and spelt bread, this breakfast starts the day out right with vegetables and whole grains.

Egg and Feta Open Face Breakfast Sandwich

Chowhound

Of course, we shouldn’t forget about moms with a sweet tooth—for these moms, pancakes are the obvious choice. Use our recipe for Easy Banana Pancakes to keep things simple. Less prep means less mess, and less mess means you’re more likely to follow through with the cleanup instead of committing that cardinal sin of Mother’s Day: leaving a sink full of dirty dishes! However, if you’re looking to go all out for Mom, and have the time to so, give our decadent Carrot Cake Pancakes a try. These pancakes plus a mimosa? Perfection!

Carrot Cake Pancakes recipe with Cream Cheese Glaze

Chowhound

Mom might just want a big ol’ mess o’ breakfast, though, and if that’s the case, you can’t go wrong with our recipe for Huevos Rancheros. Protein and flavor abound in this brunch menu staple, and Mom will appreciate the effort put into the resulting colorful dish. A simpler option is to go with the classic eggs (her way), toast, and sausage or bacon. The key is to choose your menu based on Mom’s preferences—this is her day, after all!

Huevos Rancheros recipe

Chowhound

Additional Tips

To reiterate, the thing to remember is that this day is all about Mom. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll pull off a successful Mother’s Day breakfast in bed:

  • Think about Mom’s tastes. Does she drink coffee or tea, or would she appreciate a boozy morning beverage? Does she like her eggs cooked a certain way?
  • Clean up! As we mentioned before, please do not leave a mess for Mom to clean up later. Keep meal prep simple if you’re anticipating difficulty tidying up afterward.
  • Consider the gift of sleep. Is there a way to plan breakfast so that Mom gets to snooze an extra half hour or a few? There’s a chance that this part of your gift, no matter how good your cooking is, will be the best part of the day. Moms (and, really, any caregivers) are often running on less sleep than they need!

With these tips and a can-do spirit, you can execute a successful Mother’s Day breakfast in bed for that special maternal figure in your life. And, if you play your cards right, this gift might even top that macaroni necklace you made in kindergarten. Here’s hoping!

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Chill Mother’s Day Gifts For The Mom Who Deserves To Relax

Lord Jones CBD gummies Mother's Day gift box

This Mother’s Day, gift the woman in your life who never loses her chill with something that will help her do the one thing she doesn’t do often enough—chill out. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite items that will help mom get the rest and relaxation she deserves—from everything she needs to turn her bathtub into a spa treatment, to CBD-infused treats even she will love. Keep reading for more of our favorite gift ideas.

For the mom who loves to chill out with “plants”

CBD is everywhere these days, and we’ve tried several of the buzziest products on the market. Whether mom suffers from migraines, anxiety, arthritis, or sleeping problems, various studies point to CBD as the solution to a myriad of issues. Below are our favorite products we think mom will love too.

Lord Jones Limited Edition Apricot Rose Mother’s Day CBD Gum Drops, $50.00 on JordJones.com

Lord Jones CBD gummies Mother's Day gift box

Lord Jones

We’ve written about these Lord Jones gum drops before—they taste great, don’t have any scary ingredients, and with 20mg of CBD per gumdrop, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The brand even came out with a special edition box specifically for Mother’s Day (including a beautifully-packaged box just for mom)!Buy Now

Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion, $60.00 on LordJones.com

Lord Jones CBD body lotion

Lord Jones

This CBD lotion has been all the range ever since awards season when some of our favorite celebrities copped to using it on their feet to relieve pain caused by the killer heels they wear on the red carpet. If mom loves high heels, then she will love receiving this miracle lotion.Buy Now

Beboe Calming Blend CBD Vape Pen, $75.00 on Beboe.com

Beboe Calming CBD vape pen

Beboe

Beboe has been dubbed the “Hermès of marijuana” thanks to their high-end celeb-favorite products, and they recently launched their first CBD-only product in the Calming Blend CBD Vape Pen. It features naturally derived 500mg CBD oil blended with calming essential oils and plant-derived citrus and grapefruit terpenes. We’ve personally tested this product, and can say we’ve had some of the best sleep of our lives after using the pen before bed. Thank you, Beboe.Buy Now

Feals “The Flight,” $20.00 on Feals.com

Feals 'The Flight' CBD tincture sampler

Feals

Maybe mom would like a CBD tincture, arguably the most traditional way to consume CBD. Feals has a flight containing various doses so mom can test them out to see which works best for her. The product has a perfect 5-star rating and we’ve tried it—it’s definitely helped us relax after a stressful day.Buy Now

For the mom who loves to chill out with a bath

Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray, $42.97 on Amazon

wooden bath tray deluxe

Amazon

This bath tray expands to fit pretty much any bathtub size, and has room for all of the essentials—glass of wine, book or iPad, and a soothing scented candle.Buy Now

Winc, $13/ bottle and up ($20 off your first order!)

glass of rose wine (how is rose wine made?)

Shutterstock

Instead of gifting mom just one bottle of wine to enjoy with her bath, why not keep the gift flowing with a monthly subscription to a service like Winc? We’ve personally tested their wines and think it’s a great value for the price.Buy Now

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Scented Soy Candle in Lavender, $14.52 on Amazon (originally $19.98)

Mrs Meyers lavender scented candle

Amazon

Lavender is known to induce relaxation, and this Mrs. Meyers lavender candle is a best-seller on Amazon so it’s a safe bet Mom will like it too.Buy Now

Richie House Women’s Plush Soft Warm Fleece Bathrobe Robe, $43.99 on Amazon

Mother's Day gift luxe bathrobe

Amazon

Why not throw in a bathrobe to ensure Mom has something cozy to wear after pampering herself? We can’t believe this robe is less than $50 and has 2500+ positive reviews on Amazon.Buy Now

For the mom who doesn’t like to chill out in the kitchen

Maybe mom thinks cooking is stressful and she’d rather have someone else do the work—enter meal kit delivery services. Some are great, some are not, but lucky for you we’ve tried a bunch of them so you can pick the one that works best for your mom’s specific eating habits and preferences.

Sun Basket, $10.99/serving and up on SunBasket.com

Sun Basket meal kit delivery service review

Sun Basket

Sun Basket offers a variety of unique recipes your mom is sure to love—and thanks to the detailed cooking instructions, they’ll be easy to make too.Buy Now

Blue Apron, $7.49/serving and up on BlueApron.com

Blue Apron meal kit review

Blue Apron

If your mom is a serious gourmet, she can make restaurant-quality meals at home in no time with Blue Apron.Buy Now

Sakara 3-Day Signature Program, $189 with discount (regularly $239) on SAKARA.COM

Sakara meal delivery review

Sakara

Or if your mom is into superfoods and eating healthy, hook her up with Sakara (and see our Sakara review); their pre-cooked meals are all plant-based, organic, gluten- and dairy-free, without processed sugar or preservatives. Definitely mom-approved.Buy Now

For the mom who doesn’t like to chill out by cleaning

iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum, $279.00 on Amazon (originally $374.99)

iRobot Roomba robot vacuum

Amazon

Who actually does like to clean? The answer is no one, so why not gift mom something to make chores a little easier like this Roomba. She’ll spend less time cleaning and more time chilling, ultimately making you the favorite child.Buy Now

Get more Mother’s Day Gift ideas.

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.



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Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken

This chicken with creamy dijon mustard sauce is an easy and fast weeknight meal. The chicken cutlets and sauce are all cooked in the same skillet, making clean-up a breeze.

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Thoroughbred Dishes and Cocktails for Kentucky Derby Day

Roast Beef recipe with Henry Bain sauce

Two minutes—the Kentucky Derby, in early May, might be over before you even finish making your first mint julep. Avoid such disasters and prep the drinks early (and invest in some mint julep cups if you want to go all out). Invite your friends over and throw a party with these recipes, from dainty cucumber dip to irresistible chocolate-pecan pie. Don’t get mired in the fusty hats, the prickly roses, the cheesy song. Focus on the food and the horses, and then again on the food.

Mint Julep

mint julep cups

Shutterstock

The iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby (properly served in an iconic silver julep cup), this minty bourbon cocktail actually started out as a form of medicine. So have another, and drink to your health! Get our Mint Julep recipe.

Bourbon Sour

how to use egg whites in cocktails (including sours and fizzes)

Chowhound

If you’re not into herbs in cocktails, try a classic bourbon sour with an egg white froth and a dash of angostura bitters. Get our Bourbon Sour recipe.

Benedictine Dip

Benedictine Dip recipe

Chowhound

Something to munch on while the ponies are racing—before and after, too—this light and creamy dip started out as a sandwich filling invented by Jennie Carter Benedict at her Louisville, Kentucky, restaurant Benedict’s. Our version loosens it up with sour cream, and also uses green jalapeño sauce instead of the more traditional green food coloring. Get our Benedictine Dip recipe.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Henry Bain Sauce

Roast Beef recipe with Henry Bain sauce

Chowhound

Another Louisville invention, sweet and spicy Henry Bain sauce was concocted by a waiter at the Pendennis Club, and it’s so delicious we can’t just serve it on the side, but slather it all over our beef tenderloin for a glaze that coats every bite. Get our Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Henry Bain Sauce recipe.

Cheesy Baked Rice

Cheesy Baked Rice recipe

Chowhound

This side of cheesy baked rice with scallions is a nice alternative to the usual mashed potatoes, and easy to make ahead. Plus, it feeds a crowd. Get our Cheesy Baked Rice recipe.

Chocolate-Pecan Race Day Pie

chocolate pecan pie recipe

Chowhound

Close things out with a decadent chocolate pecan pie; it’s a sure bet and a winner every time. Get our Chocolate-Pecan Race Day Pie recipe.



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The History of the Mint Julep

history of the mint julep (where and when were mint juleps invented?)

Think you know the history of the mint julep? Pour yourself a glass and read all about the surprising origins of the official Kentucky Derby drink.

While you may associate the mint julep with spring, horses, and fancy hats, it turns out that the famed drink didn’t start out that way. In fact, according to Fred Minnick, a spirits author, bourbon curator, and tasting expert known for his whiskey palate, the julep started out as the furthest thing from what we associate it with today—not a good-time drink, but medication.

Take Your Medicine

“In ‘A Dictionary of the English Language 1755’, Dr. Samuel Johnson defined julep as ‘an extemporaneous form of medicine, made of simple and compound water sweetened, serving for a vehicle to other forms not so convenient to take alone.’ People were distilling everything back then to stay alive—the julep mixture likely made poorly-made distillates taste better,” Minnick says.

Sometime between then and 1803, he says, mint was added to the mixture and the drink soon became a popular beverage to sip in the morning, especially in the south. Minnick noted that Virginians were heavy drinkers of mint juleps during that time period.

Kentucky Associations

So, how did the mint julep end up with such a strong association with Kentucky? Researchers believe it is because the drink was introduced into popular culture by Henry Clay, a U.S. senator from Kentucky. From there, Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby takes place, has heavily promoted the drink as its signature libation since 1938.

Godinger Silver Mint Julep Cup, $16.45 on Amazon

The traditional beaded silver cup is a must, no matter where you drink a julep.
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Cognac, Gin, Brandy, or Bourbon?

While it seems as if the basic mint julep recipe—bourbon, sugar, mint, and ice—has been consistent through the years, there is still a controversy that surrounds the original mixture. According to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), Cognac was the original spirit used to make mint juleps. Minnick, however, says that whiskey is called for in the first official mention of the beverage. Gin and brandy, too, were popular additions to juleps at one point, but according to Minnick, the whiskey and bourbon-based editions have surpassed any other spirit.

Mint Julep Cups

No mint julep is complete without being served in a silver cup, the cocktail’s calling card. Minnick says that the reason the drink is so often served in these glasses is simple–theft.

The iconic silver cups with beaded rims were introduced at Churchill Downs in the early 1950s and proved extremely popular. “According to the Kentucky Derby Museum, the glasses kept disappearing from the dining tables at Churchill Downs, so they decided to charge diners an extra 25 cents to keep them,” he says. Many did, and many imitators started making julep cups too, so you don’t actually have to go to the races to sip from one anymore.

How to Make a Mint Julep (and Friends)

Mint Julep

Mint Julep recipe for Kentucky Derby

Chowhound

Want to impress your friends on Derby Day? We have the classic mint julep recipe right here. Add some seasonal fruit as a garnish or a dash of rosewater for a sophisticated vibe. Get our Mint Julep recipe.

Bourbon Sour

how to use egg whites in cocktails (including sours and fizzes)

Chowhound

Prefer something a bit stronger to sip on while you watch your favorite horse run the track? Check out this bourbon sour, made with an egg white and simple syrup. Make it even more authentic with a Kentucky bourbon. Get our Bourbon Sour recipe.

Spiced Candied Pecans

Spiced Candied Pecans

Chowhound

Need something to snack on while you sip your Derby Day cocktails? Try these spiced candied pecans, made with sugar, spice and everything nice. Oh, and butter. Get our Spiced Candied Pecans recipe.

Related Video: The Mint Julep Is Not Just a Mojito Made With Bourbon

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.



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Simply Recipes 2019 Meal Plan: May Week 1

This week's meal plan is all about using pantry staples to make pizza pockets, spicy jerk chicken, juicy Greek meatballs, and pasta!

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Tres leches is a moist and subtly sweet cake made with sponge cake and three different kinds of milk. It's easy to make (only 30 minutes of active time!) and it gets even better after a day in the fridge.

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