Breakfast in Bed for Beginners
by Jennifer Anderson, Managing Editor of Allrecipes.com
Starting off the day with breakfast in bed is one of the ultimate ways to pamper Mom, and you don't
need to be a master chef to make a beautiful AND delicious start to her special day.
Plan Ahead
The biggest secret to a perfect meal is not necessarily found in using the most exotic ingredients,
or choosing the most complicated recipe - the most important thing is to plan ahead. Once you decide
what to serve, make a list of all the ingredients you need, and all the pans, tableware and fancy
serving implements you'll need. Next, make a list of everything you can make a day beforehand. By
getting things ready ahead of time, you'll save Mom from having to lie in bed pretending to be
asleep for two hours while you conduct the breakfast symphony of rattling pots and crashing dishes.
Veggies and meat for omelets can be chopped and bagged; batter for muffins, pancakes or crepes, as
well as scone dough will all do just fine overnight under an airtight shield of plastic wrap; and
the coffee grounds can sit in the filter, ready for you to press that brew button as soon as you get
up.
Pay attention to details
We probably don't need to remind you, but Moms notice all the little details. She'll cherish this
special meal twice as much when she sees that you've taken pains to make every last aspect of the
breakfast perfect. If you're serving orange or grapefruit juice, squeeze it freshly just this once.
Buy the best-quality tea and serve it in a cute teapot, or freshly-grind the coffee and serve it in
a French press. Garnish the plate with fresh fruit and herbs. Root out the linen napkins from the
back of a closet, unearth the saucers that go underneath those cups and find some cute little
containers to use as a cream pitcher, a sugar bowl and a bud vase. Don't forget the flowers!
Breakfast Out of Bed?
Get ready for a shocker: some moms will secretly admit that, even though they love being pampered,
their beds are not among their favorite places to have breakfast. If you suspect your mother would
rather avoid the crumbs in the sheets this year, there are other places to serve her your special
breakfast that will be just as decadent, fun and relaxing. At the table: Lay down a nice tablecloth,
put a vase full of fresh flowers in the middle, decorate Mom's chair with flowers and ribbons and
place a cushion on the seat. Have a picnic: Spread a blanket on the grass in the back yard or your
local park. Pack a basket with fresh scones, fruit and a thermos of coffee.
Clean Up!
This may be the most important part of all: you've shown Mom how much you love her by pampering her
and serving her homemade food in a beautiful setting. Now you don't want to see that blissful smile
fade from her face when she steps into the kitchen and sees a stack of blackened pans and a pool of
pancake batter spreading slowly across the floor. If you absolutely don't want to wash any dishes,
then most moms would prefer you stuck with store-bought bagels or pastries and a simple dish of
fruit, rather than face a mess on her one day off. A clean kitchen is the perfect way to say, 'I
love you.'
Here are just a few brunch menu ideas to get you started!
