Mother's Day Brunch: The Results

 

I had one of the best Mother's Day's at my home - ever. We were all healthy, able to gather, the morning and early afternoon were sun filled and the whiffle ball game yielded no injuries! What more can anyone ask for?

Ah - what did we eat? I thought you'd never ask.

Here's the main menu:

• Three types of grilled luganega - Italian sausage sold in a spiral. We had hot, with cheese, and a no fennel version.
• Baked ham
• Two casseroles with egg and cheese, one with sausage and the other with bacon.
• A veggie frittata - no dairy.
• Deviled eggs
• Pancakes - plain and blueberry
• Breakfast potatoes
• Fresh fruit bowl
• Cranberry sauce because my grandson currently cannot get enough of it.
• Prosciutto bread
• Raspberry sorbet champagne punch

For dessert:

• Chocolate torte with berry sauce
• Crumb cake
• Cherry pie
• Chocolate chip pudding cake

Forgot to make/include and still sitting in the refrigerator or on the counter:

• fresh apple slices with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces
• cinnamon rolls

Here's what I really want to talk about - those potatoes.

My younger son really loves the unseasoned, small cubes of frozen potatoes with eggs. It is a meal he can eat anytime of day and one he considers to be comfort food. So, it stands to reason I would delegate the preparation of these brunch carbs to him.

He mixes the potatoes in a large, stainless steel mixing bowl with a bit of olive oil, salt, paprika, and seasoned pepper. They are then spread out in a single layer and baked according to the package directions. Normally, a home run.

I made things challenging by adding a second bag to ensure the quantity we would need but only provided one baking dish rather than two separate cookie sheets. I know. I know.

But, realizing the challenge, we thought we started the potatoes with enough time to stir, and cook them more than the single layer version.

Not everyone arrived on time and that was a good thing. The potatoes continued to cook.  And cook.  And cook.

Punch was served. Mix a bottle of soda (pick your fave clear or raspeberry flavored), a bottle of champagne, and some cranberry juice are combined in a punch bowl with ice and a container of raspberry sorbet or sherbet.

Everyone has now arrived and are seated. The potatoes are READY!

They were just waiting for all the guests! The trick though, seriously, is to stick with it, don't give up and just keep cooking.

In between the main meal and dessert - that is when we play whiffle ball and take family photos. We are lucky to have two special Grand Poo-bahs attend and they are our matriarchs! Four generations of fun and laughter made it the best Mother's Day (click here for more Mother's Day recipes you can make anytime) and all were Fed Well.