Martie's Menu: Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed

We had a blast with everyone at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show this weekend! Here's the menu for one of our presentations: Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed! This is the perfect menu for kids or you guys out there because you can cook as little or as much as you like. It's mostly about the presentation and as they say; it's the thought that counts!

MARTIE'S MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST IN BED MENU

Belgian Waffle Kabobs with Orange Chantilly Cream

Maple Orange Oven Bacon

Smiling Grapefruit Brulee

Blood Orange Double Bubble

THE RECIPES

Belgian Waffle Kabobs

This dish gives the typical Belgian waffle a snazzy new style! Make waffles according to package directions. It's okay to use frozen or packaged waffles if you don't want to cook. These are delicious even if you use Eggo waffles! Cut the waffles into quarters and slide them onto a skewer, alternating with strawberries. Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving. Serve with real maple syrup and my special Orange Chantilly Cream. 

Orange Chantilly Cream

1 cup whipping cream

1 tablespoon Confectioner's sugar 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon Grand Marnier (or orange extract)

Beat the whipping cream at high speed until it starts to foam. Carefully add sugar; turn down the speed on your mixer first because the powdered sugar will fly if you don't! Continue beating until soft peaks form. Fold in vanilla and Grand Marnier. Add a little orange zest if you like.

Maple Orange Oven Bacon

This bacon comes out so pretty, not wrinkly and shrunken like pan fried bacon! It's also easier to prepare if kids are helping in the kitchen. No hot stovetops or frying pans to worry with.  

1/2 pound quality thick cut bacon

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

1 teaspoon orange juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange bacon on a baking rack on a baking sheet. (or you can use aluminium foil to line the pan if you don't have a baking rack) Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is starting to brown. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and brush with the orange syrup mixture. Bake for another 5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and keep warm until serving time.

Smiling Grapefruit Brulee

So easy! Preheat your oven's broiler. Sprinkle grapefruit with brown sugar and place under the broiler for  3-5 minutes or until the sugar starts to turn brown. You can add a raisin smiley face if you like--- or mom's initial.

Martie's Double Bubble

Everyone loves this drink! A spin on a traditional Mimosa, this one uses sparkling Italian soda (available at Whole Foods, World Market, Target, etc) and Prosecco, which is Italian sparkling wine. You can use the flavor or color that works best with your menu. I opted for Blood Orange because it worked best with the orange theme in our menu. Get the recipe!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. And to my mom- I miss you. xo.

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Last Minute Ideas for Mother's Day? Plan an Easy Afternoon Tea Party

Did you forget that Mother's Day is this Sunday? It's not too late to invite all of the special women in your life over for a Saturday afternoon tea party. It's simple to pull off, tea is not expensive and your mom, her mom--- anybody's mom will love this party! It's also a fun one for the kiddos. You can bake sweet and savory treats, make some tea sandwiches or just head to a good grocery store and get everything you need if you don't want to cook or bake. Here's an easy tea treat that everyone will love!

Read the full article

Sweet Orange Bruschetta-- ooey, gooey and so so yummy.

A fresh baguette or other bread, sliced thin, on diagonal.

Spread a little butter or olive oil on the bread and lightly toast under the broiler or on a grill pan-- I love the flavor and texture of the grilled bread but you can skip this step if you prefer.

Spread on a layer of marscapone cheese and add a dollop of good quality orange marmalade.

Put back under the broiler for a moment until a it gets bubbly on top. Top with a little orange zest and you're done! These are sooo good. You can eat 10. They're also a fun breakfast treat. You can also mix (to taste) marscapone with the orange marmalade, add a splash of Grand Marnier and a little dash of cinnamon or ginger for a nice spread for cookies. Again, top with a little orange zest for garnish. I use both of these all the time and get rave reviews.

Make a savory bruschetta by substituting gorgonzola cheese, a slice of prosciutto and a drizzle of honey. Delish.

Check out the full article and slideshow for more Afternoon Tea Party ideas!