A puff pastry tart topped with ricotta, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus.
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Let’s get one thing straight: I’d never try to guilt you into planning a stunning spread for your mom this Mother’s Day. That’s simply not me.

Having said that, she was the one who screamed through 26 hours of labor to bring you into the world. And she was the one who cooked, cleaned, made your bed and school lunch, and came to your defense every time the neighborhood bully beat you up. And she even shouted down the bully’s mother, Stella, who happened to have been her one-time best friend, when Stella tried to blame you for her kid’s torn earlobe. (Too oddly specific?)

But, like I said, no guilt here. Just a lot of mom-approved, mom-adored recipes that fairly scream, “I love you.”

Happy Mother’s Day to the real-world heroes of our lives.

David Leite's handwritten signature of 'David.'
Pain perdu-French toast with raspberries piled on a plate dusted with icing sugar, a dollop of whipping cream, and raspberries.
Jonathan Lovekin
1 of 9

Pain Perdu 〜 French Toast with Raspberries

This pain perdu with raspberries and créme frâiche is good for brunch or a lazy, indulgent Sunday morning. Enjoy a different way to have toasty brioche and fruit for breakfast.
A cherry tomato, asparagus, and herbed ricotta tart on parchment on a baking sheet
Dora Kazmierak
2 of 9

Cherry Tomato, Asparagus, and Herbed Ricotta Tart

The whipped ricotta with herbs, Parmesan and garlic is sensational and should be added to all your vegetable tarts. If you have some delicious homemade pesto (or a good shop-bought one), then drizzle it over the tart for an extra layer of flavor.

A very flavorful tart. Smelled delicious as it was baking and the end product made a tasty lunch. This cherry tomato, asparagus, and herbed ricotta tart could be a lunch, dinner or appetizer!!

The ricotta spread had a nice compliment of flavors with fresh basil, garlic, parsley and lemon zest. I really enjoyed the attractive presentation of this recipe with the cherry tomatoes and asparagus. I will definitely make this again!

Gale C.
A bowl of a little gem salad--made up of little gem lettuce, radishes, shallots, walnuts, and walnut vinaigrette
Nicole Franzen
3 of 9

Little Gem Salad

Little Gem salad. Such an appropriate name. Made with Little Gem lettuce, radishes, shallots, walnuts, ricotta salata cheese, and walnut vinaigrette, it’s truly a little gem of a salad.

I was drawn to this salad recipe because I love Little Gem lettuce. This salad came together quickly and was vibrant with fresh herbs, radishes, and lemony dressing. The ricotta salata added a creamy counterpoint to the herbs and dressing, and the toasted walnuts added a nice texture.

betsy b.
Two puffy, golden Parmesan and Gruyere Cheese Souffles in white bowls on a towel.
Peter Cassidy
4 of 9

Parmesan and Gruyère Cheese Soufflé

These Parmesan and Gruyère soufflés are ethereally light and airy. Perfect for a showstopping brunch.

Fantastic recipe! Don’t let a souffle intimidate you, this is easy!

I would suggest you cook it till you get a nice dark golden top; otherwise, it’s still a bit gooey in the middle and not as well-risen as it can be. It froze well and baked up in ramekins in just 25 mins from frozen.

helen b.
A white plate with a piece of pan-seared Moroccan salmon on a bed of orange slices, red onion, and greens with three black olives on the side.
Quentin Bacon
5 of 9

Pan-Seared Moroccan Salmon

This pan-seared Moroccan salmon is gently but perfectly spiced, comes together in minutes, is perfect for crazy weeknights yet impressive enough for entertaining, and healthy enough to remind you how good it can taste to take care of yourself.

This pan-seared salmon was so delicious! I made it for a dinner I made for my in-laws, and they loved it! Another bonus of this great dish is its presentation.

paulina
A whole roast chicken on a platter with a bowl.
David Leite
6 of 9

French Roast Chicken ~ Poulet Rôti

Poulet rôti, or French roast chicken, is a classic of the Franco culinary empire. And it's so simple: just season a chicken with herbs, place it on top of root vegetables, and, for extra flavor, baste it with plenty of butter. C'est incroyable, non?

This roast chicken was amazing. So easy to make, and the vegetables in the juices were out of this world. We may never go back to grocery store roast chicken again.

Karen W.
Two short glasses of blueberry prosecco spritz on coasters with thyme sprigs for garnish.
Eric Medsker
7 of 9

Blueberry Prosecco Spritz

This simple recipe for a low-alcohol cocktail is made with muddled blueberries, fresh thyme, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling wine, and tonic or soda water. It's simple, refreshing, and perfect for a hot summer day.

Wow, just amazing. I loved this blueberry Prosecco spritz recipe. I think this drink is a perfect solution for the summer season.

Helen K.
A loaf of lemon drizzle cake with six slices cut from it and a knife lying beside it.
Haarala Hamilton
8 of 9

Paul Hollywood’s Lemon Drizzle Cake

This lemon drizzle cake has an intense citrus flavor, thanks to lemon in the batter and in the sweet, crunchy glaze that's drizzled on top.

This lemon drizzle cake recipe was quick and easy, and I would definitely make it again. The ingredients are easy to access, and it makes a perfect dessert or sweet breakfast. If you like lemon, this is the perfect option for you. It is very flavourful, light, and citrusy; overall a great recipe.

dylan
A whole chocolate meringue mousse cake with one slice cut from it.
Malou Burger
9 of 9

Chocolate Meringue Mousse Cake

This cake is neither too sweet nor too rich, with a deeply chocolatey mousse-like center, beneath a thin crackly layer of cocoa-dusted meringue. What’s not to love?

I love this chocolate meringue mousse cake!!! So fudgey and delicious!

Angela
Can you suggest some easy Mother’s Day brunch ideas?

Some easy Mother’s Day brunch ideas include avocado toast, homemade pancakes or waffles, deep-dish French toast casserole, and yogurt parfaits. These can be personalized with toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, and syrup. If you’d like to get a little fancier, try our classic eggs Benedict.

What recipes can kids make for Mother’s Day?

If you’ve got little hands that want to help make Mom’s Day special, enlist their help to make simple scrambled eggs, old-fashioned coconut layer cake, or this easy condensed-milk icebox cake.

When is Mother’s Day?

Good question! In the US and Canada, as well as much of the world, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In the UK, it is celebrated in March and is often referred to as “Mothering Sunday.”

Still looking for more food ideas for Mother’s Day? I got you! Check out our entire collection of Mother’s Day recipes. Let us know your Mom’s favorite meal in a comment below.

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About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

Read More About Me

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2 Comments

  1. My grandmother was Stella Rose! I’m taking Mother’s Day dinner to my niece & her kids since I’m not a mother. Being an aunt is the best job in the world – you get to spoil the kids & then take them home.

    Happy Mother’s Day to Mama Leite.
    xo

    Reply

    1. Dottie, if your grandma was Stella Rose, does your uncle have a ripped earlobe?!!! Happy Auntie Day to you. And I’ll pass on your best wish to Mama Leite.

      Reply