It's a Hit

 

"Happy Mother's Day" is probably the last thing I expected to hear in early April. I'm willing to bet you'd agree.

Nor, I'm willing to bet, do you think it might be a good idea to use "sports app" and "Mother's Day gift" in the same sentence.

On that one, you'd be wrong.

 

We had finished dinner, the dishwasher was running and I was just settling down on the couch to see what was on TV when my cell rang. I took a quick look at it and saw it was PurDude calling. My teeth clenched and my stomach rolled.

I'm sure that's not the kind of response one would expect to have when their son calls home, but when he was away at college I had so many heart wrenching phone calls from him, it's (sadly) sort of a Pavlov's dog type reaction. I learned that when everything was fine, he'd text. But when he broke his leg, when a friend died, when he had been taken by ambulance to the hospital, when he had a his second flat tire in a week, when he really needed me, those were predominantly the times my phone rang.

Now that he's working 8 hours away in the other direction, I'm trying hard to stop that automatic reaction to his calls. We text once a day, just to check in, and he still calls when there are problems, but they have been few and far between. And he does call every week or so, so we can have a conversation without my fat fingers trying to hit the right letters on the cell phone keyboard.

But on this night, I was worried. It was Wednesday night, April 6th, and I was worried because he'd just gotten back from a vacation with his high school friends on Sunday. He'd called to fill us in on his vacation, so I'd just talked to him 3 days earlier.

 

And we'd just texted that morning, him informing me, and both of us complaining, about the Red Sox season opener the next day against our arch rivals the Yankees being postponed. 

 

I picked up the phone and gingerly said "hello." I knew immediately from the tone of his "hi, ma," that everything was fine. Phew.

PurDude: Happy Mother's Day!

Me (rushing to look at the calendar in a panic, I hadn't sent cards to my mom and step mother): Mother's Day?

PurDude: Mother's Day. It's a holiday. You know, Mother's Day? A day for mothers?

Me: A day for mothers a month from now.

PurDude: Well, I bought you a Mother's Day present.

Me (as confused as only a family member can make me): A present? In April? Over the phone?

Let me just say here, that there are ways to express love, and then there are soul crushing no-nos. You know what I'm talking about, gifts from the heart that show you know the person you're buying for, those are the best. Then there are the more common gifts, flowers, dinner out, chocolates, champagne . . .

And then there are the tragic mistakes. You've heard of them, like don't buy your wife a vacuum cleaner for your anniversary, or a scale for her birthday . . .

 

or a sports app for your mom for Mother's Day . . .

As I said, you'd be wrong.

I've mentioned many times on this blog that I'm a Bostonian, stuck in the Midwest. I miss a lot of things, like skiing, going to the beach, fresh seafood, and sports. Not just professional sports in general, but my teams. Especially the Red Sox. I grew up a Red Sox lover, got it from my grandpa, and I've passed it on to PurDude. I used to love watching the games with him. Well, when we could get them, which, even though I have the MLB channel, is still rare.

I have a Red Sox throw on my couch, a Red Sox clock in the kitchen (and a Patriots mug), all gifts from my family.

And now, PurDude bought me a subscription to stream the Red Sox on the MLB app. I can watch any game. Not just any game, I can watch all of them.

 

Maybe he's a month early for Mother's Day, but as far as I'm concerned, this kid just hit a home run.

 

 

Peanut Butter Nutella Bars

 

I might just have to bake him a treat, something using his favorite pairing, peanut butter and chocolate. I'll ship it to him, and wish him a happy birthday.

 

It'll only be 10 months early.

But I bet it'll be a hit!

 

Peanut Butter Nutella Bars         

                                                                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup cookie butter

1 egg, room temperature

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup Rice Krispies

1 cup mini chocolate peanut butter cups

1/4 cup Reese's pieces

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup Nutella

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 X 11 baking pan.

*Beat together the butter and cookie butter until smooth, beat in the egg. Slowly at first, beat in the salt, cinnamon, powdered sugar, and flour until it comes together to form a dough.

*Press into the bottom and 3/4 of the way up the sides of the pan.

*Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, but leave the oven on.

*Sprinkle the Rice Krispies, mini peanut butter cups, and Reese's pieces evenly over the crust.

*Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and Nutella, pour over the top.

*Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Mother’s Day All Day: 50 Recipe Roundup

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. I have no idea where I’ll be this year. My younger son finishes finals hundreds of miles away the day before. I think he’ll need help getting all of his crap stuff home so it’s possible I’ll be on the road.

For those of you not spending Mother’s Day in a car, I hope you have something great planned. And since I’m not putting together my own celebration this year, I may as well help you plan yours.

So here it is, a celebration all in one place. I’ve put together a collection of 50 Mother’s Day recipes from Breakfast to Dinner and everything in between.

I broke this post out by meal groups: breakfast, lunch, cocktails (a very important food group in my opinion), dinner, sides and desserts. Each group has it’s own collage of pictures so you can see how the recipes turn out.

Whether you have time to prepare a more complicated dish or are in a hurry, there’s something for everyone. For each meal group there are options that can be at least partially prepared ahead, recipes that are mostly made that day but are quick and easy, and options that require but are well worth a little effort. Whatever you choose, you’re bound to impress.

Breakfast

Prepare ahead:
1 - Mocha Breakfast Muffins are delicious muffins you can make the day before. To serve warm, just pop into the microwave for about 20 seconds.
2 - Maple Glazed Mandarin Poppy Muffins can also be made the day before. They’re bursting with fruit and finished with a hint of maple.

Quick and easy:
3 - Crab Benedict Breakfast Roll-Ups are a light but substantial breakfast treat. They need to be made when eaten, but look like they take more effort than they do.
4 - Bagel Crisp Brunch Sandwiches are reminiscent of Sunday afternoon brunch. They’re quick to assemble and a delicious crunchy treat.

Worth the effort:
5 - Baked Individual Pancake Puffs are a beautiful breakfast treat. They require more effort, but you’ll really amaze when you serve these puffs.
6 - Pistachio Cream Cheese French Toast is made with thick french bread slices, stuffed, pistachio crusted and pan fried.

Lunch

Prepare ahead:
1 - Warm Chicken Pockets can be prepped ahead of time, then put together at lunch time. Serve with Broccoli Slaw, which can be made the day before.
2 – Taco Stuffed Potato Skins have many components that can be made ahead as well. Serve with fresh homemade Pico de Gallo, which is best made a day in advance so the flavors have a chance to marry.

Quick and easy:
3 - Sour Apple Challah Grilled Cheese can be assembled and served hot in a matter of minutes. Serve it with made ahead Greek Pasta Salad and lunch is served.
4 - Curried Chicken Salad Wraps are an easy lunch roll up packed with flavor. You can make a loaf of Veggie Bread ahead, but it’s best served warm.

Worth the effort:
5 - Stovetop BBQ Pork and Apple Pizza takes a little more effort but is both pretty and full of flavor. Serve it with Spicy Pasta Salad, another make ahead side dish, this one has a bit of a kick.
6 - Grilled Taco Chicken needs to be marinated and then grilled. It takes more time than effort but is juicy and flavorful. Smoky Cornbread is a perfect side dish.

Cocktails

Prepare ahead:
1 - Berry Sangria is mixed together and refrigerated overnight. To serve, just add the ginger ale to this refreshing cocktail.
2 - Raspberry Orange Margaritas are a cocktail I like to make by the pitcher. Put it together in the morning, refrigerate and they’re ready to serve.

Quick and easy:
3 - Tornado Cocktails are easy to make. Mix the ingredients and serve.
4 - Brunch Cocktail is just the thing for any special occasion.
5 - Iced Coffee Cocktail is the perfect afternoon blender drink, and can be served three different ways.

Worth the effort:
6 - Strawberries and Cream Cocktail is made with fresh berries and topped with a dollop of ice cream. This drink could be a dessert.
7 - My Mai Tai is a long time favorite. Many people make a version of this drink, but mine is the best!

Dinner

Prepare ahead:
1 - Grilled Marinated London Broil is my beef selection. Marinate up to two days ahead of time then grill, slice and serve.
2 - Crockpot Fruited Pork Roast can be put into the crockpot late in the morning, then left to cook until it’s time to slice and add the veggies.

Quick and easy:
3 - Peachy Chicken, although better if marinated longer, can actually be made in 30 minutes. It’s light, fruity and flavorful.
4 - Easy Grilled Halibut is another light meal that can be made quickly. Marinate the fish, grill and serve.

Worth the effort:
5 - Smoky Orange Cornish Hens take some time and effort, but they aren’t any more difficult than roasting a chicken and they make a very impressive meal.
6 - Baby Backs need time for the rub to flavor the meat and they need to slow roast for hours. The end result is a flavorful meal everyone will love.

Sides Dishes:

 

Veggies

Prepare ahead:
1 - Festive Pea Casserole can be completely assembled in the morning and popped into the oven to accompany any dinner you choose.
2 - Karen's Poppy Seed Dressing can be made ahead and works well on salad ingredients of your choice.

Quick and easy:
3 - Squash Casserole is simple to assemble and has all of the bright flavors of fresh vegetables.
4 - Pralined Snap Peas and Carrots is a beautiful side dish that’s made in minutes in the microwave.

Worth the effort:
5 - Brussels Sprouts with Pignolis and Proscuitto takes some prep time and cooking time, but is the perfect dish for a special occasion.
6 - Eggless Caesar Salad is just as good as you’d find in any restaurant. Any dinner will be enhanced by this salad.

 

Starches

Prepare ahead:
7 - Cheddar Mac Squares are a favorite side dish. Mine can be made ahead, sliced into squares and reheated for serving.
8 - Easy Cheesy Potatoes is a casserole that can be assembled in the afternoon and popped in the oven for dinner.

Quick and easy:
9 – Popovers are made simply by whisking a few ingredients, cooking in a hot oven and resisting the urge to open the oven while they cook. These light buttery treats will be a hit with everyone.
10 - Garlic Knots are quick to make when start with refrigerated bread sticks. They’re a flavorful addition to any dinner.

Worth the effort:
11 - Sweet Potato Cups with Maple Butter take time to prep and time to make. The flavor and presentation make the effort worthwhile.
12 – Tzimmes is a slightly sweet casserole of potatoes, fruit and vegetables. There’s some prep time required but this flavorful dish is really not difficult.

Desserts

Prepare ahead:
1 - S'More and Strawberry Skewers are a favorite because kids love helping dip the strawberries and the marshmallows. When you’re ready to serve, just skewer and you’re done.
2 - Strawberry Lemonade Cheesecake Squares need to be refrigerated before serving so they’re perfect for making ahead. These little squares are such a refreshing end to a meal.

Quick and easy:
3 - Caramel Apple Angel Cake looks impressive but is really quite simple if you start with a bakery angel cake, making this an easy dessert alternative.
4 - White Brownie Parfait is really two desserts in one. The White Brownies are a delicious treat, but kick it up a notch by adding fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Worth the effort:
5 - Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge is a recipe I first developed for Valentine’s Day but what says “love you, mom” more than dark chocolate and raspberry fudge hearts?
6 - Spring Fever Cookies will take some time to put together, but they’re a work of art when done. And they taste as good as they look.
7 - Berry Bar Sundaes are a delicious treat. Use fresh berries to make the bars, top with ice cream, whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Delish.

As always, if you make some of my recipes, be sure to share a picture and your thought with my Facebook Community. I love to hear from you.

❤Hope your Mother’s Day is delicious ❤

 

This piece was published on The Huffington Post as Ffifty RecipesL Mothers Day All Day on 5-4-15.
Also cross-posted on BlogHer as Fifty Recipes: Mother's Day All Day on 5-1-15.

Chocolate Raspberry Rugelach

Today’s post is May’s submission to our monthly theme posts.

This is how it words; we are a group of bloggers participating in a monthly project. Every month one of us picks a theme and each of us post a recipe based on that month’s theme. All the recipes will be featured on my Facebook page so be sure to check there daily.

December was The 12 Cakes of December
January was Dippin' Through January
February was Love and Food
March was Celebrating Green and Welcoming Spring
April was Chocolate
May, in honor of Mother’s Day, is Mother’s Favorite Dish. Today it’s my turn.

Chocolate Raspberry Rugelach

I’m not sure I know what my mom’s favorite dish is. I know she doesn’t like scallops or mint, loves licorice, spicy foods and chocolate paired with raspberry. Her favorite meals to cook for larger groups was always Italian food and a variation of her spaghetti sauce is College Boy’s favorite meal. Whenever there are special occasions, Mom is always asked to bake. Her desserts are impressive and loved by all.

When I was little my mom baked cookies on Fridays. I once asked her why and she told me that when I was older she wanted me to remember coming home from school on Fridays and being greeted at the door by the smells of cookies baking. I’m convinced she planted the seeds of my habit of baking in times of stress way back then. One of the things she made regularly was Rugelach. It can be made as a log and sliced or rolled up like a crescent roll. The variations of ingredients could be endless. Because it was important to her that I have this childhood memory, and I do, I’m breaking the rules just a bit and instead of making Mom’s favorite dish, I’ve made my own variation of Rugelach: Chocolate Raspberry, for Mom.

preparing the dough

 

ready to go in the oven

As always, if you make one of my recipes, please feel free to take a picture of it and post it on my Facebook wall or my Google + page. And watch for my posts featuring the rest of the Mother’s Favorite Recipes on the dates below:

5/7  Tampa Cake Girl's Peggy's Hummingbird Cake
5/8 Crumbs in my Mustachio's Mom's Favorite Berry Tart
5/9 The Rowdy Baker's Crab Bake Royale



5/13 Hun. . . What's for Dinner?'s Caramelized Onion, Tomato and Goat Cheese Focaccia
5/14 An Affair from the Heart's Banana Cream Jelly Roll
5/15 Cooking from a SAHM's White Wine and Fontina French Onion Soup
5/16 Aunt Bee's Recipes' Southwestern Chicken Linguini Alfredo


 

Chocolate Raspberry Rugelach

                                                                              ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
1 stick butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup flour
¼ cup powdered sugar, divided
2 TBSP seedless raspberry jam
1/3 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
 
Directions:
*Beat cream cheese and butter. Stir in flour. Form a ball with the dough (I use my hands), cut in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, flatten and refrigerate for at least an hour.
*Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips and the raspberry jam in microwave. Stir until smooth.
*Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together.
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
*Sprinkle your rolling surface with powdered sugar. Place each half of the dough separately in the powdered sugar, cover each with the plastic wrap it had been refrigerated in and roll them out into 8 to 9 inch circles (doesn’t have to be perfect).
*Remove plastic wrap and paint each dough circle, using a pastry brush, with the chocolate raspberry mixture, leaving a ¼ inch border around the outer edge. Sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture and, using your hands, press into the chocolate mixture.
*Cut both prepared doughs, like a pizza, into 12 slices. I use a pizza cutter for this.
*Loosening each slice gently from the surface with a spatula, starting with the thick end, roll them up like a crescent. Place, point side down, on baking sheet.
* Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes or until they just barely start to brown. Some of the filling will ooze out while baking.
*Cool one minute on the cookie sheet, then gently remove to a cooling rack or clean piece of parchment.
*Once cookies are cool, melt the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips and drizzle over the cookies.

It’s Been Quite a Ride

I guess it’s no surprise to anyone that Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday. Mother’s Day means so many things through the years; as a child, a mother-to-be, and all the different stages of being a Mom.

This is my last Mother’s Day with both of my boys living at home. One will leave shortly for college and the other is only a year behind. So this year I’ve written a little poem (I never seem to learn my lesson about trying to write poems, do I?) from my current perspective.

M – is for the mischief you get into every day,
O – is for the other kids who hang out to eat and play,

T – is for the thanks I rarely get to hear,
H – is for the happiness you bring from year to year,

E – is for the everything, it’s what you mean to me,
R – is for the roller coaster ride this life can be,
‘S – is for the sharing of your germs you’ve done for free.

Triple Chocolate Cookies

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

D – is for the dread I’m feeling to the core,

A – is for the ache I’ll know when you head out that door,

Y – is for the yesterdays I’ll cherish evermore.

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches
                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

 

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, softened
1 stick margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 cup dark chocolate chipe
any ice cream, slightly softened
Opt: nonpareils or sprinkles

Directions:
*Grease cookie sheets. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Cream together butter, margarine, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat in the egg.
*Mix in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
*Last, mix in the white and dark chocolate chips.
*Roll about a tsp of dough into a ball and put on baking sheets.
*Press down slightly with the heel of your hand.
*Bake 12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove and cool completely.
*Put cooled cookies in freezer for 10 minutes.
*Slice ice cream into slabs about 1/2 inch thick. Using cookie cutter or top of a glass approximately equal size around to your cookies, cut circles out of the ice cream.
*Put a circle of ice cream in between the flat sides of two equal sized cookies. Press together gently.
*Opt: roll the sides of the ice cream cookie in nonpariels or sprinkles.
*Wrap individually and freeze.
*Remove from freezer and allow to sit for 2 minutes before eating.