Tag Archives: simple recipes

11 Best Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

11 Best Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

Throughout your childhood, how many times did mom or grandma make you breakfast? Return the favor this Mother’s Day by cooking a stellar brunch in her honor. Whipping up a fabulous meal at home allows your family to skip loud, overcrowded restaurants with long Mother’s Day waitlists. Let mom enjoy a mimosa in the comfort of her pajamas and bathrobe, reclining on a couch cushion like the queen she is.

Simple, Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

Banana Bread Flapjacks from Country Living

Banana Bread Flapjacks from Country Living

1. Banana Bread Flapjacks from Country Living

It’s a simple pleasure: waking up to a hot cup of coffee and warm stack of flapjacks. These easy “banana bread” flapjacks from Country Living will warm your heart and your stomach. Spice up the presentation by presenting various toppings: candied nuts, fresh berries, whipped cream, and maple syrup. Get the recipe here.

Chard and Gruyere Eggs in the Hole from Good Housekeeping

Chard and Gruyere Eggs in the Hole from Good Housekeeping

2. Chard and Gruyere Eggs in the Hole from Good Housekeeping

“Eggs in the Hole” is simply a piece of bread with hole cut in the middle, that you fry on a skillet, cracking an egg over the center so the fried egg sits in the hole in the toast. This simple dish maintains the same concept but is elevated with gourmet cheese and dark leafy greens. Get the recipe from Good Housekeepinghere.

Loaded Bloody Mary from Foodie Crush

Loaded Bloody Mary from Foodie Crush

3. Loaded Bloody Mary from Foodie Crush

It’s a drink and a snack! The perfect treat for a pampered mom who just spent the morning lounging in her luxurious new pajama set. Learn how to build a “loaded Bloody Mary” with this how-to from Foodie Crush for creating the perfect Bloody Mary bar. With drink accoutrements like bacon, oysters, and steak, this really is a meal in a glass. Learn how to craft the perfect loaded Bloody Mary for Mother’s Day here.

Blueberry Chamomile Dutch Baby from Half Baked Harvest

Blueberry Chamomile Dutch Baby from Half Baked Harvest

4. Blueberry Chamomile Dutch Baby from Half Baked Harvest

A Dutch Baby is essentially a pancake that you bake in a skillet… which, by the way, was the original pancake. So a Dutch Baby is a real pancake? Well whatever it is, it’s and delicious. The skillet also makes for an Instagram-worthy Mother’s Day brunch presentation, so you’ll look like a pro! Get the recipe for this lightly spiced, hot and gooey treat from Half Baked Harvesthere.

Ham and Egg Grilled Cheese from Damn Delicious

Ham and Egg Grilled Cheese from Damn Delicious

5. Ham and Egg Grilled Cheese from Damn Delicious

If you haven’t checked out Chungah Rhee’s cooking blog yet, now’s your chance. Your mom deserves the best for Mother’s Day and this site is filled with tasty, easy-to-prepare recipes that you’ll make again and again. This decadent take on a ham/egg/cheese is to die for and is practically designed to enjoy in your favorite pajama pants. Fire up your waffle iron (yes) and get the recipe from from Damn Delicious here.

Summer Mimosa Floats from That’s What Che Said

Summer Mimosa Floats from That’s What Che Said

6. Summer Mimosa Floats from That’s What Che Said

This cocktail is advertised as “the perfect beverage for brunch, book club, girls weekend, or just a normal Saturday.” If that’s the case, we want to spend every Saturday with Cheryl from That’s What Che Said! Instead of pouring champagne over orange juice this Mother’s Day, pour champagne over sweet, decadent sherbet. Wow your mother this weekend and get the over-the-top recipe here.

The Silkiest Carbonara from Bon Appetit

The Silkiest Carbonara from Bon Appetit

7. The Silkiest Carbonara from Bon Appetit

Pasta for brunch? Absolutely. Carbonara has all the markings of great brunch food: bacon in the form of pancetta, eggs, and a healthy dose of butter, heavy cream, and cheese. The smell of pancetta frying in your kitchen is the best reason for your mom to grab her mimosa, get out of bed, and join you all downstairs. Get the recipe from Bon Appetithere.

Bananas Foster Baked French Toast from Taste of Home

Bananas Foster Baked French Toast from Taste of Home

8. Bananas Foster Baked French Toast from Taste of Home

The classic dessert, with all its divine caramelized banana goodness, condensed into one 13X9 recipe from Taste of Home. This recipe sounds complicated, but it’s essentially a casserole. Everything is layered like a lasagna in one pan for easy preparation and even easier cleanup. If your mother is a fan of classic desserts, this will be a surefire hit on Mother’s Day. Get the recipe here.

Corned Beef Hash with Fried Eggs from Food & Wine

Corned Beef Hash with Fried Eggs from Food & Wine

9. Corned Beef Hash with Fried Eggs from Food & Wine

If your mother isn’t a fan of frills, try this elegant twist on a diner favorite on Mother’s Day (no corned beef from a can here!). Food & Wine walks you through scratch-made corned beef hash that will taste like nothing you’ve ever had at your local dive — it will taste a million times better! Spoil mom rotten with a laid-back brunch menu that features high quality ingredients. Get the recipe from Food & Winehere.

Savory Dutch Baby from Food with Feeling

Savory Dutch Baby from Food with Feeling

10. Savory Dutch Baby from Food with Feeling

This delicious Dutch Baby is a savory twist on the classic fruity variety. You can use the suggested toppings in this recipe from Food with Feeling or improvise with fresh seasonal spring veggies. Regardless of what vegetables you use to fill it, the presentation will knock mom’s warm and fuzzy socks off on Mother’s Day. Get the recipe here.

Citrusy Champagne Sangria from Kiran + Tarun

Citrusy Champagne Sangria from Kiran + Tarun

11. Citrusy Champagne Sangria from Kiran + Tarun

Kiran + Tarun is another blog that is loaded with simple super fun recipes to try any day of the week! But for Mother’s Day we love this beautiful and refreshing Citrusy Champagne Sangria. Get the recipe here.

For more ideas for Mother’s Day fun, visit The Pajama Company at our blog, thepajamacompany.com/blog

Quick and Easy Snack Ideas for March Madness

8 Quick and Easy ‘March Madness’ Snack Ideas

“Oh, by the way, the guys are coming over to watch the game in 30 minutes…” Is March Madness driving you bonkers? The guys are coming over might be a common ‘FYI’ in your house these days. Unlike the Super Bowl, an event you have months to prepare for, the weeks of March Madness can result in a parade of last-minute house guests. Just because the gathering is less “formal,” doesn’t mean that you won’t be expected to provide something to snack on during the game.

A simple solution for any last-minute gathering is to have simple snacks that you can throw together from your pantry with little to no preparation. Here is our collection of game day snacks that will make you look like a super host without any effort. We promise you won’t even have to put real pants on.

Easy Game Day Snack Ideas

With a few items from your pantry, you can whip up a snack to please the crowd (and keep your pajama pants on).

Game Day Snack Ideas from Your Pantry

1. Flatbread Pizza. If you keep flatbread or pita bread on hand, you can have a snack in a flash. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place the flatbread or pita rounds on a baking tray. Top with whatever you have on hand and bake for 8 minutes. Here are a few combinations to get you started:

  • pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella with pepperoni
  • olive oil and parmesan topped with olives or roasted red peppers
  • shredded sharp cheddar with ham or bacon
  • ricotta, red onion, and asparagus finished with arugula after baking

2. Chips and Queso. What is Velveeta? Who cares. It’s ‘cheese’… we think. It has a long shelf life so you can keep it in your pantry for entertaining emergencies. Drop the block of Velveeta in a small pot or microwavable bowl, top with a can of your favorite chili, and heat until melted while stirring every so often. In five minutes or less you will have a tasty dip to go with chips, a jar of salsa, and beer.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. Bacon, frozen shrimp, and toothpicks will make an amazing snack to serve alongside cheese and crackers. Thaw out the shrimp, cut the slices of bacon in half, roll up the shrimp in the bacon and secure with a toothpick. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or wax paper, line with the wrapped shrimp, and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes — done!

4. Easy Poutine. For a poor man’s version of this Canadian indulgence, just keep a bag of frozen fries on hand. Bake according to instructions on a baking sheet, remove from oven and create a pile of fries. Drizzle with a can of brown gravy and top with shredded cheese (the real deal is made with cheese curds, but use any cheese really). Pop under the broiler until the cheese is melted. Serve on the baking sheet and let the animals have at it.

Easy Entertaining Ideas for March Madness

White Bean and Rosemary dip is so versatile, you can serve it with anything.

5. White Bean and Rosemary Dip. An alternative to hummus, this is the best dip to make if you don’t want to invest in a tub of tahini and have fresh rosemary on hand. Simply drain a can of cannellini beans and add to your food processor with a squirt of lemon, and 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary. Blend and add olive oil until you reach the consistency you prefer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with veggies, crackers, chips, pita bread, or toasts.

6. Easiest Cheesiest Bean Dip. If there’s anything we learned from our parents or grandparents, it’s that you can make a meal in minute with a can of condensed soup. Keep a can of condensed bean with bacon soup — you know the brand — in your pantry. Stir together the soup, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon of minced onion, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning mix in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until hot, about 3 minutes. Stir again and microwave an additional 3 minutes until the cheese melts. Serve with chips and you’re done!

7. Easy Mini Meatballs. Keep Italian sausage in your freezer to thaw as you need it. Cut off the casing of the sausage and cut the link into quarter size pieces, rolling them into balls. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, place balls on a wax-lined baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve with toothpicks and a small bowl of warm pasta sauce for dipping. You can also use Italian turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option!

8. Hot Crab Dip. Dips that you can bake require minimal effort on your part. Crab dip may sound complicated, but you can make it with items in your kitchen that have a long shelf life. In a bowl, combine a block of softened cream cheese, ⅓ cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, 1 ½ cups shredded cheese of your preference, 1 can of crabmeat, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh onion (red, white, yellow, or green). Mix together then transfer mixture to an oven-friendly baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees. Stir. Sprinkle sliced almond on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve hot with crackers!

For more recipes and ideas for entertaining, visit The Pajama Company at our blog, thepajamacompany.com/blog.