Mother’s Day is here again. This year, let’s make sure Mom gets a chance to slow down and relax. Despite our best efforts, the reality is that sometimes Mother’s Day doesn’t end up that way. It may be spent running to and fro, stuck in traffic, trying to find parking at a packed restaurant, or even cleaning up unexpected messes made by adorable, well-meaning young chefs.
Just as no two moms are the same, the way they prefer to celebrate may be different.
Some moms love to go out and celebrate, while others may prefer to celebrate at home. That may mean alone time and having the “day off,” or it might be doing something meaningful like taking a walk, playing a game, or preparing and sharing a meal together. Moms of very young children rarely get a rest, so Mother’s Day may be about finding simple, small ways to make sure they can get some time to themselves, even if it’s just five minutes to sip a special smoothie in peace and quiet.
This year, let’s find ways to create a more mindful environment for the moms in our lives. Think about recognizing the moms you know. Some of them might not have family support; what can you do to ensure they’re also celebrated? Something as simple as a small note or text of appreciation of a fellow mom can do a lot.
If you’re a mom yourself, sometimes it’s hard to relax and let others take the wheel. That’s okay too. Think about how you want the day to unfold, and let your family and friends know how you’d like to celebrate. It’s okay to say you’d prefer not to have an elaborate brunch buffet or even that that you don’t care for cucumbers.
One way to give Mom a chance to relax is to give her the chance to enjoy some delicious food that she can savour slowly and intentionally.
With that in mind, here are some recipes that are simple to prepare. Getting the kids to “help” can be great if they’re old enough to do so. But remember that leaving mom a mess in the kitchen is no gift at all!
This menu is designed to be served throughout the day so Mom can enjoy small bites of deliciousness that she can truly savour from the minute the plate is put down in front of her. Give her time to appreciate the colours, textures, and flavours—subtle, layered, or intense.
Read on for six recipes that are designed to be easy to prepare, beautifully, yet simply, presented, and suffused with flavour to allow Mom to savour her day.
This collection was originally published in the May 2025 issue of alive magazine.
Mom is sure to love this sweet and sensational-looking dessert made with aquafaba meringue. The meringue’s crisp texture provides contrast with the fluffy whipped coconut cream, topped with mango purée and sweet mango chunks. Lime zest and mint bring everything together, while a dash of blue matcha makes the meringue’s interior a subtle surprise.
Start Mom’s day off with a soothing and invigorating smoothie. This combination of earthy matcha and fresh mint with the slight sweetness of maple syrup results in a delicious sipper. Let Mom savour it slowly and enjoy the complex layers of flavour. The frozen bananas keep it cold and refreshing while the hemp hearts give it a dash of protein.
For these classic hors d’oeuvres, blend hardboiled egg yolks with the traditional ingredients of a romesco sauce: piquillo peppers, sherry vinegar, and hazelnuts. The result is a mild and creamy two-bite wonder with just a hint of smoky spice. They make a perfect brunch appetizer or light snack to keep Mom going. Make them pretty by piling the filling high and garnishing with piquillo pepper slices, hazelnuts, and capers. Deliver them to her while she reads her favourite book.
This sweet and savoury avocado toast is a snap to put together. Even young children can help to make this. The avocado gets a hit of spice with the addition of some chili flakes and then is topped with balsamic-marinated strawberries and peppery microgreens for the perfect combination of savoury and sweet.
Packed with flavour, spice, and plant-based protein, this satisfying and spicy breakfast dish makes enough for the whole family and is a cinch to make. Mustard powder, turmeric, and tahini lend not only their colour but their flavour to this scrumptious dish, while sweet potatoes and spinach make sure that Mom gets her veggies.
If Mom is more lunch than brunch, this simple and delicious plate is sure to please. Spring asparagus gets a delicious savoury treatment full of flavour from soy, ginger, garlic, miso, and chili flakes. Served alongside sweet scallops, it’s a beautiful and sophisticated combination that’s easy to make and enjoy.
