Breakfast in bed

There is one sure-fire way to tell it is Mother's Day, even before Mom wakes up -- the aroma of burnt toast, botched pancakes and black-as-tar coffee reaches the bedroom, before the traditional breakfast in bed does.

Of course, when made by eager children or hapless husbands, the meaning of the Mother's Day breakfast goes a lot farther than the actual taste does.

But nothing beats a great-tasting breakfast in bed for Mom on her special day, and it really isn't that tough to prepare -- for children and husbands alike.

A good breakfast starts with the beverages. If you are making breakfast in bed for Mom, offer some choices. If she is a tea drinker, have an assortment ready for her perusal.

If she's a coffee drinker, try a special roast for the occasion.

Serving orange juice goes without saying, but also have a couple of different fruit juices on the tray as well.

Pancakes, waffles and french toast are easy to make and require a minimal amount of ingredients, and they can be made in a snap if Mom is an early riser.

Topping waffles and pancakes with fruit preserves and syrup adds a nice touch for mom.

Mom's favorite eggs prepared with sausage, ham or bacon is always a good way to go, as is a breakfast sandwich of English muffin, egg, cheese and ham.

More adventurous children can try squeezing fresh oranges for the juice or make Eggs Benedict for their mothers. A breakfast pizza is another "advanced" breakfast for children to try for their mothers.

No matter what choice, it will be a meal your mother remembers forever, simply because of who is serving it to her.

Mother's Day breakfast is perhaps the only meal you can really mess up, and still be thanked for, and for that, millions of fathers are forever grateful.

Mother's Day recipes

Easy eggs Benedict

4 English muffins, split

Butter, softened

8 pieces Canadian bacon, cooked

8 poached eggs

Hollandaise sauce

2 cups orange juice

1 cup unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

Spread cut sides of muffins with butter. Broil until lightly browned. Place a slice of Canadian bacon on each muffin half; top with poached egg, and cover with Hollandaise sauce. Serves 4. To prepare the Hollandaise, place the orange juice in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until it is thick and syrupy, about 10-12 minutes. You should have 1/4 cup syrup. Set it aside. In another saucepan, melt the butter in a thin stream. Process a few more seconds, until thick. Serve immediately.

Mother's Day apple

almond pancakes

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup unbleached flour

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, separated

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup apple juice

1/4 cup chopped almonds

Combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat egg yolks with oil, buttermilk, and apple juice. Stir into flour mixture with nuts until all ingredients are moistened (do not over stir). Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter. Spoon onto a hot, greased griddle and turn once when bubbles appear. Makes 8 to 10 pancakes.

French toast with

brandied lemon butter

4 eggs

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

12 slices of bread

Butter

Powdered sugar, optional

Brandied lemon butter

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

Juice of 2 lemons

4 teaspoons grated lemon rind

3 ounces brandy

In a shallow dish, beat eggs, sugar, salt, milk and vanilla. Soak bread in the mixture. Heat butter over medium high heat and cook each slice of bread until slightly brown on each side. Serve with brandied lemon butter and lemon slices. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. For brandied lemon butter, melt butter over low heat. Spoon off any foam that forms. Pour into a dish, leaving behind any sediment in the pan. Wash pan, pour butter back in the pan and add the sugar. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice, rind, and brandy; stir until smooth. Pour over hot french toast.

Easy Mother's Day

breakfast pizza

6 eggs

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 medium onion chopped, rest of onion in rings

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 medium green pepper, ringed

Mushrooms

1 pizza crust

Olive oil

Prepare your favorite pizza crust and get ready to bake, as a regular pizza. Beat eggs lightly. Add mozzarella cheese, milk, onion, salt and pepper. Mix gently. Lightly brush olive oil over the pizza base. Pour mixture over the crust. Place green pepper, onion rings, and mushrooms over the top of the pizza. Bake at 450 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until crust is brown and egg mixture is set.

The above recipes were taken from www.twilightbridge.com.