Ultimate Fun Foodie Gift Guide for Mom

It’s Mother’s Day! And though the ultimate role reversal is an old idea, it’s still the one that your mom will cherish the most. So spend the day cooking for her. Are you thinking, “But what do I cook?” Isn’t it just the happy co-incidence that we’re writing an article telling just you just that:

Starter: Mushrooms stuffed with Bacon

If you want to begin with a sinful starter, nothing will be more perfect than this recipe!

You will need: 3 strips of bacon, 6 large mushrooms, I tbsp butter, ½ a chopped onion, 1 clove of
garlic, 3 ounces cream cheese, 3 ounces blue cheese, 1/3 cup bread crumbs.

Method:

1) Chop the mushroom stems. Cook the bacon till crispy and put it on oil-absorbent paper. Add butter to the same pan. Once it has melted, add the chopped mushroom stems, onion and garlic. Cook for 15-20 minutes, till the onion has caramelised.

2) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Blend the onion mixture with the cheeses and bread crumbs, and add it to the mushroom caps. Bake these in the over for 10-15 minutes, until lightly brown.

Main Course: Chicken Casserole

This simply chicken and spring onion recipe is no nonsense, no fuss and as healthy as can be.

You will need:

Skinless chicken thighs, 1 tbsp oil, 2 sliced spring onions, 2 tbsp plain flour, 2 chicken stock cubes, 2 large carrots, 14 oz potatoes (halved if they’re too big), 7 oz frozen peas, 1 tbsp grainy mustard, herbs to garnish, like parsley, chives, dill or tarragon.

Method:

1) Put some water to boil in a kettle or in a pan. Fry the thighs in oil in another wide pan till they brown. Add the stock cubes and whites of the spring onion with the flour, and stir in about 750 ml of the hot water that has been boiled. Toss the carrots and potatoes in and let it simmer. Then cover it and allow it to cook for 20 minutes.

2) Remove the lid and let it cook for 15 more minutes. Then throw in the peas, the green parts of the spring onion, the mustard and the seasoning. Let the flavours settle, and your casserole is ready!

Dessert: Cornmeal Cookies with Pink Glazing

Little hearts for your mom to show her some love!

You will need:

2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup yellow cornmeal, ½ teaspoon coarse salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract, ½ cup confectioner’s sugar, 1 or 2 drops red or pink food coloring.

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl – flour cornmeal and salt. In another bowl, work with the wet ingredients – beat the butter and ½ cup granulated sugar first until they make a creamy mixture, then add egg and 1 tsp vanilla. To this, gradually add the dry ingredients mixture until it is lump-free. The dough is ready.

2) In a small bowl, place the ¼ cup granulated sugar. Make small lumps of dough and coat them with the sugar. Place lumps on a baking tray and flatten them. Use a cookie-cutter to make a heart-shaped impression on each. Now bake for 10 minutes, till cookies are golden at the edges. Rotate the sheets halfway.

3) Take a small bowl. Add the confectioner’s sugar, the vanilla, 1 ¾ tsp cold water and the food coloring. With a spoon, add this glaze to the heart impressions. Let the cookies cool and set.

We’re sure your mom will enjoy a meal cooked by you anyway, but with this combination, it’s bound to be splendid. Have a Happy Mother’s Day!