Mum’s the word
Even one yummy dish to show your super-duper mum how special she is would be fab.
I can't tell you how thrilled us mums are when you surprise us with a little present or an unexpected gesture. Breakfast in bed is always a delight: lay a tray with a pretty cloth or even a gingham napkin and if you can manage a little posy of flowers she'll get an even bigger "oops in her tummy" when you arrive in to her bedroom beaming from ear to ear.
My mum still speaks fondly of my first attempt to bring her tea in bed. Years later I discovered that apparently the kettle wasn't even boiling properly, but at the time she never gave me the slightest hint that the tea wasn't perfect.
Breakfast doesn't have to be a full Irish you'll need a nice pot of tea or coffee for a start. How about some mini muffins they're really easy to make and look adorable a glass of freshly squeezed orange or pink grapefruit juice is a very easy way to get lots of compliments for a little effort. Just cut the citrus fruit in half around the equator and squeeze out the juice one of those little plastic juicers works brilliantly (the peel can be dried makes terrific firelighters).
If you'd rather do a cooked breakfast, why not make some sublime scrambled egg. It may not be an option but if you add a few small cubes of smoked salmon at the end, it'll be even more luxurious a real Mothers' Day treat.
Find a pot of lovely Irish honey for her toast or make some jam, how cool would that be! Having said that, it's not a great time of the year for jam-making, though.
Lemon curd would be a perfect solution fresh tasting and delicious and made in minutes and is a real homemade alternative and a change from the usual jams and marmalades.
If you'd prefer to rustle up something for lunch, how about a cheese fondue. So easy and great fun, all the family can tuck in; it's a one-pot meal so the extra bonus is minimum washing-up! If however, you would like to treat your mum to the evening off, then how about a full dinner? Here's a suggestion for a nice easy meal that she'll love.
Try to enlist the help of the rest of the family to lay the table nicely again a little bunch of flowers and maybe some cards and place names.
Better still, run a bath for your mum to relax in while you are making dinner. Scatter some flower petals into the water, rose petals are best but scarce at this time of year, light some candles and maybe play some soothing music so she can chill out while you cook.
I suggest carrot and apple salad with a sweet and sour dressing for a starter quick and tasty to make with inexpensive ingredients and non-fattening just in case she's watching her weight.
Penne with ginger mushrooms and herbs for the main course would be delicious and an indulgent almond and chocolate meringue for pudding. The latter can be made several days ahead and filled on the day.
The mushroom sauce for the pasta can also be cooked ahead if you really want to be super-organised.
Good luck and don't forget to drop me a card to let me know how it went.
Scrambled Eggs
Serves 2
Perfectly scrambled eggs are rare indeed. For perfection really fresh free range eggs are essential. Really fresh eggs, perfectly scrambled, need no further embellishment, except perhaps a slice of hot thin toast.
4 eggs, preferably free range and organic
2 tablespoons creamy milk
a knob of butter
salt and freshly ground pepper
Break the eggs into a bowl, add the milk and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Whisk well until the whites and yolks are well mixed. Put a blob of butter into a cold saucepan, pour in the egg mixture and stir continuously, preferably with a flat bottomed wooden spoon over a low heat until the eggs have scrambled into soft creamy curds. Serve immediately on warm plates with lots of hot buttered toast or fresh soda bread.
Tip: If the plates are too hot the scrambled egg will actually over cook between the stove and the table.
Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon
A few seconds before the scrambled egg is fully cooked, add 2-3 tablespoons diced smoked salmon trimmings, stir once or twice, sprinkle with a little chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Scrambled eggs with tomato
A few seconds before the scrambled egg is fully cooked add 1 very ripe chopped tomato which has been seasoned with salt, freshly ground pepper and sugar, stir once or twice and serve immediately.
A hearty breakfast
This heart-shaped egg from Annabel Karmel's Complete Party Planner (Ebury Press, 19.15) would make a fun surprise breakfast for mum.
1 thick slice white bread
15g butter, plus an extra knob
1 egg
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Cut a hole in the centre of the bread using a heart shaped cookie cutter approximately 8cm wide at its widest point.
2. Melt the butter in a small frying pan and saute the bread on its side until golden.
3. Turn the bread over, melt an extra knob of butter in the heart-shaped cut-out, break the egg into it and season lightly. Cook covered for about two minutes or until the egg is cooked to your liking.
4. You can also dip the cut-out heart in a little egg and sauté that too to make French bread.
