Giada's Mother's Day Brunch Menu

Mother's Day, or any day, these weekend winners will start the day off in style.

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm spoiled. In our house, breakfast in bed is a weekend tradition for me. Ever since Jade was big enough to balance a tray, she's started the day on Sunday by whipping up her special morning drink (essentially water flavored with some berries or other fruit), which she proudly presents to me along with some simple breakfast items like toast or yogurt, and granola. We spend a few moments together in our bed sipping, chatting, and munching, talking about our week and how we're going to spend the day.
It's a lovely ritual that I look forward to every weekend, not just that one day of the year dedicated to moms. Lucky me! So when Mother's Day rolls around I like to take the celebration to the next level—and out of the bedroom. Call me crazy, but balancing a tray laden with syrup- drenched pancakes and coffee and juice and whatever on my knees, and dealing with the massive cleanup that inevitably awaits in the kitchen downstairs, is not a relaxing way to begin my "special" day. Lying in bed listening to ominous banging and crashing sounds coming from downstairs while I wait to be "surprised" with an elaborate breakfast in bed has always made me more anxious than delighted, much as I truly do appreciate the sentiment.
Instead, we've created our own tradition, making our Mother's Day meal a brunch celebration. The twist? I do the cooking, but Jade does the serving, so she still feels like she is helping to make the day extra fun for me. Last year I invited my sister and her son, Julian, as well as my mother and Aunt Raffy (who is like a second mother to both Eloisa and me), to join us. All the food was prepared and ready before our guests arrived, and while Mom, Lulu, Raffy, and I caught up over coffee, Jade and Julian dished up the plates and proudly delivered everything to the table, which Jade had set and decorated with flowers and drawings. The kids felt proud to be hosting the party and I didn't have to worry about what was going on in the kitchen.
It was such a success that we're doing it again this year, and a savory frittata, Citrus Salad, and a baked French toast casserole are on the menu. And however you and your family choose to commemorate the day, I raise a mimosa to all the moms out there. Enjoy!