Kathy Ireland Design Ambassador Chef Andre ‘Recipes For Mother’s Day’

MOTHER’S DAY LOVE

This week on the Bella Petite Hour Chef Andre joined Ann Lauren in an “ode’ to Moms!”

Whether you still live at home, are out of the house, or if you are living states away, there are so many ways to express your thanks and love to your mom.

Chef Andre’s mom is out of state, so he begins the day by sending sweet-nothing text messages, flowers or treats to let his mom know just how much he cares and appreciates all that she has done for him!

Kathy Ireland Worldwide is focused on bringing solutions to busy moms, which lends to Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella Petitereason why Kathy Ireland’s Design Ambassador of the Acafe Society Chef Andre joined us bearing solutions and easy ways for you to make your Mother’s Day special for your mom.

It is our turn to show Mom some love! Mother’s Day is around the corner, so now is the time to show mom how much she is appreciated and really means to you and your family. It’s a perfect time to treat mom to breakfast-in-bed, plenty of pampering, bright flowers or crayon scribbled “I Love You”s.”

A great way to celebrate Mother’s Day is to give your mom the day off. After all, she is busy year-round taking care of you, so let her take it easy, relax, put her feet up, and be pampered while the rest of the family does all the work for once!Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella PetiteBreakfast-in-bed for Mom is the way many families kick off Mom’s Day! So take the initiative Dads, round up the kids to prepare the morning breakfast, and allow mom to sleep in late. Then hit the kitchen and let the magic begin preparing Mom’s favorite decadent delight. Chef Andre suggests that Mother’s Day breakfast be comprised of all the things your mom likes best!

Once you have prepared her favorites, don’t forget to present your masterpiece in a beautiful arrangement to remind her how thoughtful you can be. Be sure to include pretty flowers in a vase to set the tone. Spring is here, it is so easy to go outside to your garden or around the neighborhood and pick a tulip, daffodil, or wildflowers. Once everything is ready, carefully carry the tray and mom’s favorite sections of the newspaper to the bedroom. Don’t forget to include heartfelt homemade cards or gifts from the kids alongside her breakfast in bed.

If you opt not to do breakfast-in-bed (because no matter how hard you try mom is still the first one up), show Mom how much you care by hosting a special brunch in her honor. Here are some tips to help guide you:Mothers Day-Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella Petite

How to Plan a Mother’s Day Brunch

Select some of mom’s favorite breakfast/ lunch foods.

Red carnations are the official Mother’s Day flower, so you might want to add some to your list to buy.

There’s nothing like a gift that you made yourself. Mom loved them when you were seven and she loves them now, but jewelry never hurts.

Arrange it all so that Mom doesn’t have to lift a finger. Clean up after you cook, straighten, or clean the house before and after the event. Leave the place sparkling.

Open the curtains and let the sunshine in. Place the flowers everywhere. Play mom’s favorite music.

Mothers Day-Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella PetiteDecide whether Mom would prefer an intimate and relaxing event or a large and grand gathering. In any case, consider what Mom would prefer. This is her day.

Celebrate the contributions of mothers everywhere by including grandmothers, aunts, great aunts, young mothers, and their kids. Everyone will enjoy the sense of community and celebration.

Choose a menu that will be easy to prepare (especially for large groups of people): scrambled eggs with sausage, Pink Grapefruit, Orange and Strawberry Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing*, Zucchini Yam Bread (*see below) and mimosas are great for large or small gatherings.

Set the mood for the meal. For a brunch; set the table with the good china, nicely folded napkins, and flowers in a nice vase. If you don’t have flowers add a few scented candles…like vanilla or lavender.

Now if cooking is not your thing, that’s OK because there are some incredible brunches out there to be enjoyed. From a “filled with the Holy Spirit” Gospel Brunch to an easy laid back Jazz Brunch and everything in between. A quick look in your local newspaper or call a local hotel should put you on the right track.

Try treating Mom like a queen every day. You don’t need to go to extremes – it’s the little things that count.

ann lauren bella petite recipesPink Grapefruit, Orange and Strawberry Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing

2 pink grapefruit, peeled, pith removed, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswiseMothers Day-Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella Petite

2 oranges, peeled, pith removed, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswise

½ lb strawberries, hulled and sliced

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp grapefruit juice

¼ cup honey, heated in the microwave

Arrange the grapefruit slices around the outer edge of a large platter, overlapping them slightly. Add oranges slices to the center of the platter in a circle, overlapping. Place strawberries on top of the orange slices.

In a microwave-safe dish, heat honey until warm remove from microwave, stir in grapefruit and lemon juice. Drizzle over fruit salad and serve.

Spoon dressing over salad and serve.

Serves 8

Zucchini Yam Bread

1 ½ cups coarsely grated zucchiniMothers Day-Kathy-Ireland-Chef-Andre-Bella Petite

1 small yam, peeled, coarsely grated

3 eggs

2 cups of sugar

½ cup butter (1 stick)

½ cup of vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

½ tsp allspice

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup sun-raisins

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixer, beat eggs. Add butter, oil, sugar, and vanilla; continue beating the mixture until thick and foamy. With a spoon, stir in the zucchini and yam.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and allspice. A third at a time, add dry ingredients into wet and gently stir (by hand) after each addition. Add the walnuts and raisins, blend gently.

Divide the batter equally between 2 greased and flour-dusted 5 by 9-inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.

Makes 2 loaves

Written by: Chef Andre

BELLA PETITE HOUR

Podcast Now Playing: Tune in to the Bella Petite Hour on “Inspiration at Home and in the Community” with Host Ann Lauren and featured celebrity guests Kathy Ireland Design Ambassador Chef Andre with Mother’s Day delights and guest Fashion Designer Micaela Passeri of Bubola using fashion as a tool for inspiration!

Podcasts are available on the Bella Petite radio page and iTunes.

1 thought on “Kathy Ireland Design Ambassador Chef Andre ‘Recipes For Mother’s Day’”

  1. Great magazine your content and covers are gorgeous! Definitely Bella Petite is the new fashion standard and trends leader! Certainly, your Editor Ann Lauren is by far the most beautiful fashion magazine editor with talent and intelligence, she’s a triple threat and your secret weapon to transform fashion and beauty that’s outdated and unimaginable! Well Done Miss Lauren!

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