Cooking For Mom this Mother's Day

What makes a mother so special? Is it her enduring patience and understanding, or her unshakeable ability to be there for you no matter what?

Most people would agree it's a combination of all these and more, matched with unique personalities that make each mom one of a kind.

Cooking can be as unique as a person, making it the perfect gift this Mother's Day. Breakfast in bed, a spring picnic or a comforting dinner can express your gratitude just as much as flowers, hugs and kisses.

For breakfast in bed, keep it a sweet, simple affair with fresh fruit and french toast (an indulgence for sure), instead of going out to a busy restaurant for brunch. Kids, use whatever ingredients you know will taste great; bananas, cinnamon, strawberries or blueberries are ideal examples.

For a fun humourous twist, make deviled eggs for a picnic outdoors to show mom you love her even though you may be a 'devil' sometimes, or for another breakfast idea, bake some mischevous monkey bread (see recipe below).

Still looking for a more personalized touch? Concoct a dish or drink, like a smoothie, and name it after that great lady in your life. Smoothies are a good breakfast for health-conscious mothers, while still letting them feel the love.

If a dinner dish is more your mom's style, consider paying homage to family tradition. Perhaps your grandmother has a recipe book stashed somewhere; if so, dig it up and prepare something nostalgic that grandma used to make for mom as a child.

Whatever you decide to make, the mere act of working hard to prepare a meal for your mother is a true gift in itself, and one she will definitely appreciate.

Mischevous Monkey Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cans biscuits, refridgerated
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/4 C butter
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/2 C brown sugar, packed
• Optional: pecans, raisins, coconut, walnuts, etc.

Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. In a bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together well. Coat each piece of biscuit in the mixture.

Spray a bundt pan with cooking spray and lay each piece evenly in the pan. If you're going to add coconut or other ingredients, sprinkle it inbetween biscuit layers  

Bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool for 10 minutes, then pour over the biscuits.

Bake the bread at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then turn the pan upside down to get the bread out. Serve on a platter.