A Better Mothers Day: Why Brunch at Home Wins

By Carolyn WorthingtonWhat are your plans for Mothers Day? Are your children planning the day for you, or are you planning for your own mother?Around our house, I prefer not to take center stage and be pampered.Rather, I jokingly call it Labor Day and ask my family to help me in the garden for one hour and then they can pamper me with a dinner everyone helps prepare together.Thats the perfect Mothers Day for me.Certainly, Mothers Day has a way of bringing us back to what matters mosttime together.Not the rushed kind, squeezed between reservations and errands, but the kind filled with conversation, laughter, and the simple pleasure of sharing a great meal.While we still stick to our dinner after gardening during the day, brunch is the overwhelming choice by most families.

Its relaxed, flexible, and perfectly suited to a day that doesnt need a strict schedule.But increasingly, more people are rethinking the idea of going out.Crowded dining rooms, long waits, and fixed menus can take away from what the day is meant to be.Staying home, as we do, offers something better: the opportunity to create an experience that feels truly personal.Mothers Day Bruch at HomeA Mothers Day brunch at home doesnt have to be complicated.With just a bit of planning, it can feel both special and effortless.For those looking for inspiration, Sterling Epicures Lets Do Brunch is the perfect idea starter, with recipes ranging from Danish pastries and huevos rancheros to pancakes, sandwiches, smoothies, and more.Two that are guaranteed to elicit wows from your family and guests are Cinnamon Crepes (recipe below) and BLT-Topped Bagels with Hollandaise Sauce.The cinnamon crepes are an ideal addition to a relaxed brunch menu.

Light, slightly sweet, and versatile, they can be made ahead and served with a variety of toppingsfresh fruit, preserves, or a dollop of Greek-style yogurtallowing everyone to customize their plates.For contrast, something like the hearty bagel dish or another egg-based option can round out the menu.The key is variety without overcomplicating thingstwo or three main items, supported by simple sides such as fresh fruit or a light salad, is more than enough.Beverages can be equally simple.Coffee and tea are essentials, but a pitcher of juice or a sparkling option adds a celebratory note.

It doesnt need to be elaborate to feel festive.And then there are the details that turn a meal into a memory.A handwritten note at each place setting.A favorite photo tucked into the table dcor.

A simple toast acknowledging the person being celebrated.These touches dont require much time or expense, but they carry meaning that lasts long after the meal is over.Mothers Day isnt about perfection.Its about appreciationand creating space to express it.A leisurely brunch at home offers exactly that: a chance to slow down, enjoy good food, and spend time together in a way that feels genuine and unforced.In the end, its not the complexity of the menu or the formality of the setting that defines the day.

Its simply being together that makes it special.Happy Mothers Day!Cinnamon CrepesMakes 6 servings1 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flourteaspoon ground cinnamon1 egg1 cups 2 percent milkOlive oil to fryFruit compote or preserves, or sugar, and Greek-style yogurt to serveWhisk the flour, cinnamon, egg and milk together in a large bowl to make a smooth batter.Let it rest for 20 minutes.Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.When the pan is really hot, add 1 tsp.

oil, pour in a ladleful of batter, and tilt the pan to coat the bottom with an even layer.Cook for 1 minute, or until golden.Flip over and cook for 1 minute.

Repeat with the remaining batter, adding extra oil if necessary, to make more pancakes.Serve with a fruit compote, preserves, or a sprinkling of sugar, and a dollop of yogurt.Reprinted with permission fromLets Do Brunch: Mouth-Watering Meals to Start Your Day published in 2015 by Sterling Epicure.Photo: Nick Dowey