Menu Planning

Make this Mother's Day memorable and delicious with an impressive brunch spread. Don't hold back here — more is more when it comes to brunch. We've got an idea for a tasty menu that will make any mom feel so loved . . . and full.

Daytime Drinks
Mimosas or Bloody Marys? Who says you have to choose? Have a wonderfully boozy start to the day (which will probably be followed by an afternoon nap) with fresh grapefruit mimosas and classic Bloody Marys to choose from.

Sweet and Savory Main Courses
An uncomplicated and filling frittata is a great way to serve eggs to a crowd. This savory recipe is chock full of veggies and it's easily adaptable to fit your taste preferences. For a sweeter counterpart, cook up a fluffy french toast strata with chicken sausage. Make life easier on yourself and put this together the night before, so you can just wake up and stick it in the oven.

A Hashed-Out Side Dish
Sweet potato hash browns are easy to put together and are especially delicious doused in your favorite hot sauce. This side dish complements the sweet and savory items of the brunch spread perfectly.

Seasonal Fruit Salad
For some freshness, grab your favorite fruit and throw together a fresh fruit salad. A rich meal like this benefits from a crisp and juicy component.

Chocolate-Covered Ending
Finally, because your mom is totally worth it, make a bunch of chocolate-covered strawberries to finish the meal that will show her just how much you love her.

What are you cooking or eating this Mother's Day?

Whether you're looking to add a fun twist to your end-of-year celebration or are simply anticipating the upcoming film The Great Gatsby, look no further than this 1920s menu. Since we couldn't help but be inspired by the glitzy parties F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote of, here are a few recipes, ranging from the fresh zing of a mint julep to pigs in a blanket, that are sure to please. Throw on your fringe and host a party with vintage charm: this menu is sure to be one for the books!

Mint Julep

This frosty, tangy beverage is too good not to be enjoyed year-round. You can make a mint julep just like in the book by following this recipe. The sweet and potent drink is impressive yet easy to make, even for cocktail beginners.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Hors d'oeuvres like stuffed mushrooms are especially fitting for a 1920s fête with a glamorous air. This recipe incorporates a creamy spinach and artichoke filling, as well as a crunchy panko topping.

Keep reading for the rest of the 1920s party menu.

Cinco de Mayo is one of the easiest holidays to prep for. It's all about the buffet style set up with plenty of salsas, guacamole, chips, and pitchers of margaritas to go 'round. Here's a menu that is guaranteed to make your fiesta súper delicioso.

Strawberry Margaritas

Keep the cocktails flowing by serving them in pitchers. Offer regular margaritas as well as something special like strawberry margaritas. This recipe doesn't call for any sugar — just plenty of strawberries to sweeten the beverage naturally.

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Don't be scared to make homemade tortilla chips; they're easier than you think! Offer baked and fried tortilla chips to accompany the salsas, guacamole, and queso dip.

Read on for the rest of the Cinco de Mayo party menu.

The Kentucky Derby is next weekend, and even if you're not a horse-racing aficionado, getting into the spirit for this big Spring event can make for a seriously fun party. Let's be real: who doesn't love an excuse to wear over-the-top Spring fashions and drink pretty bourbon-filled beverages? If you're needing a little inspiration, here are some tips for ways to bring the Derby spirit to your home.

Set the Scene

Before the race, you've got to set the mood. In the décor department, channel the Derby's nickname "Run For the Roses" with big bouquets of lovely fresh flowers. For a modern take on traditional bluegrass music, look to the bands Railroad Earth and Assembly of Dust to provide the soundtrack. Everyone will be asking whose music is playing.

Assemble a Southern Spread

Make traditional Derby dishes that are indicative of the race's legacy. Indulgent pimento cheese, Benedictine cheese tea sandwiches, and Southern-style biscuits are all solid, easy to make options.

Keep reading for dress code and drink suggestions.

Warm Spring weather calls for alfresco dining, so it's the perfect time to bring out your favorite blanket and have a picnic. Whether it's a group affair or a romantic meal for two, a great picnic requires a gorgeous location and a tasty, convenient menu. Not sure what to pack? Here are a few of our favorite picnic picks.

Drinks
Simplicity is key, so if you plan to pack alcohol, stick to a bottle of wine, beer, or cocktails with three ingredients or less, like the appetite-inducing bicyclette. Add some charm to your meal with striped straws, or consider keeping your drinks in closed mason jars for a cute but practical choice.

Keep reading for more picnic ideas

Who's excited about the return of Mad Men on Sunday? We are! Kick off season six in style with an intimate viewing party. Invite family and friends over for an evening that will take everyone back to the early '60s. Serve up old-fashioned eats and play music from the era like Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James. Ask that women dress up like Joan or Betty, and that the men wear suits and hats or sweater vests.

Retro Cocktails
Pick classic cocktails from the Mad Men era like an old fashioned, Campari with a twist, or a gimlet to serve up all night long.

Updated Appetizers
Serve updated versions of more traditional eats. Start with marinated olives to go with your first round of drinks. Then bring out shrimp cocktail with three dipping sauces: cocktail sauce, peanut sauce, and barbecue sauce.

Steakhouse Favorites
A crisp and classic wedge salad is a perfect first course. Follow that up with a hearty meal of New York strip steak and potato gratin.

Chocolate Fondue
Retreat to the couch to watch the premiere and set up a chocolate fondue spread on the coffee table, complete with fresh fruit and marshmallows. After dessert, break out your tumblers and your favorite whiskey (we suggest Redbreast Irish whiskey) and toast to a successful '60s premiere party.

How do you plan to celebrate the return of Mad Men?

— Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts

Think Irish food is all meat, booze, and potatoes? At least in America, we consider those three items to make up the Irish Holy Trinity. Here's a menu for St. Patrick's Day that includes all the classics — and a few jazzed-up variations.

Irish Buck
If stouts and green beer don't appeal to you, drink an Irish buck cocktail, made up of Irish whiskey, ginger ale, and lime juice.

Irish Onion Soup
Those who enjoy warming up to a French onion soup should try an Irish variation of onion soup that uses Irish cheddar and Irish stout to give it the regional twist.

Colcannon
If you've never heard of colcannon, it's basically kale with mashed potatoes. This particular recipe is loaded with crispy pancetta, which makes this taste like a stuffed baked potato.

Keep reading for the rest of the menu.

When it comes to celebrating, there's nothing like serving up a Mexican-themed menu and a margarita (or two!). Using fresh ingredients and spices, Mexican dishes are never short on flavor and depth. Covering everything from strawberry margaritas to pork carnitas, we've created a Mexican-inspired menu, so you and your guests can fine dine — fiesta style!

Frozen Strawberry Margaritas

Margaritas are a must at any Mexican-themed fiesta. Instead of whipping up a traditional recipe, try this strawberry rendition. Using classic elements like lime, agave, and orange liqueur — along with fresh strawberries and plenty of ice — will hit the spot. Consider añejo tequila — it imbues the cocktail with a smoother, more subtle flavor that your guests will love!

Bacon Guacamole

Guacamole is an essential appetizer. Take this classic Mexican-style dish to another level by adding bacon (yes, bacon!), an unlikely combination that's sure to please. With its creamy, crunchy texture and chipotle kick, this bacon guacamole recipe will be devoured in minutes.

The rest of the menu is after the break.

Instead of making reservations this year or buying a bouquet, pick the finest option: a floral menu to cook at home. Each course below features edible flowers like pansies, lavender, and chamomile. From drinks to dessert, everything on the menu showcases a different bloom. This menu is sure to turn your valentine rosy-cheeked.

Edible Flower Salad With Grapefruit and Watermelon Radish

Sprinkle purple pansies, snapdragon, and violets atop an edible flower salad. They taste peppery like salad greens, rather than floral in flavor. Pink grapefruit and watermelon radish offer complementary zingy-ness, not to mention bright Valentine's Day colors.

Lemon and Lavender Chicken

Roasted lemon and lavender chicken has plenty of sizzling juices that beg to be soaked up in crusty bread. The thyme and lemon balance the floral flavor and herbaceousness of the lavender.

To see the dessert and drinks for this menu, keep reading.