Mother’s Day is Sunday, and whether you’re celebrating your mom, wife, aunt or sister, the perfect way to honor the maternal figures in your life is with an elegant brunch party. Though a lot of brunch recipes can be nutritionally balanced, many of them are also indulgent. At brunch, people typically treat themselves to items they wouldn’t normally eat during the week. Often, since they are eating breakfast and lunch in one meal, diners think it’s acceptable to eat more calories than they normally would.
This week we interviewed Sandra Lee, editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, the host of two highly rated television shows on Food Network, to find out her favorite tips for planning the perfect healthy brunch party. Along with some of Lee’s favorite entertaining tips, we wanted to call out some of the most important points to consider when party planning for the leading lady in your life.
Cocktail Time: If your mom likes to kick back with a glass of wine or a cocktail at the end of a long day, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat her to her favorite wine. Or, surprise her with a delicious cocktail, like a Veuve Cliquot Thai Basil Bliss.
Think Chilled: If you’re entertaining for a large group or planning your brunch early in the afternoon, don’t worry about waking up early so that your meal can bake all day. Think about chilled options, like cold salads, sandwiches or chilled soups. This Chilled Asparagus Soup with Lemon Pesto is currently in season, as is the Marinated Asparagus Tomatoes and Shallots salad by Sandra Lee.
Cut Calories When You Can: You can still make mom’s favorite dishes, but if you’re watching your waistline (or if mom’s watching hers) substitute lighter ingredients for some of the heavier ones. If a recipe calls for heavy cream, use 2% reduced-fat milk. You can substitute a 1/4-cup of Egg Beaters for every one egg, and use turkey bacon instead of pork.
Keep It Simple: Above all, remember that spending time with you is what mom treasures the most. It doesn’t matter if your meal is five-star gourmet, but if you have some simple recipes that you know will be crowd pleasers, like gruyere bacon tarts by Sandra Lee, blueberry scones or cinnamon sticky buns. If you keep it simple, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy your own party – the dishes can wait until later.