menu

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?

Holiday meals can be a source of great stress and anxiety. There's a lot to think about: what to serve, when to cook it, how to decorate. But with a well-thought-out meal and a little bit of effort, you can create an Easter feast that is sure to impress.

I've come up with a menu full of fast and easy dishes, many of which can and should be served at room temperature. Brightly colored Spring ingredients are highlighted and none of the dishes require much effort on your part. I love decorations that look like they were thrown together naturally — beautifully dyed Easter eggs scattered across the table, sweet stuffed Spring animals to join the party, and your favorite flowers in mismatched small vases to set a happy tone.

For the complete menu, read on.

When it comes to cooking, there's nothing more rewarding than serving your friends and family at a party. Whether it be a dinner, baby shower, or birthday bash, crafting the perfect menu is crucial to an event's success. From your guests' dietary needs to the occasion to the season, there's a lot to consider when planning a menu. Don't be overwhelmed, I've got a handful of suggestions to keep in mind the next time you're deciding what to serve.

• Being a good hostess means that you make guests feel welcome and comfortable, that's why it's important to think about their diets. Don't serve a meat-heavy menu if you have vegetarians in attendance. A friend allergic to gluten? Offer a gluten-free meal. While you may have to think outside the box, there are millions of dishes in the world; it can be done!
• If it's easier for you to cook with a theme, like rustic Italian, casual Californian, or traditional Spanish, do so!
• Unless you are highlighting a special item on purpose, (like serving a blood orange meal, where each course features blood oranges), make sure there isn't too much of one ingredient. Too much cheese or starch or vegetables will result in an unbalanced meal.

Get the rest of my tips — and share yours! — after the jump.

Forget bacon flapjacks, bacon meat loaf, and maple bacon sundaes: Denny's has moved on to lighter pastures with Fit Fare, a new line of lower-calorie options. The items fall under four different classifications: "lean," with less than 15 grams of fat; "light," which comes in under 550 calories; "protein," for items with 20 grams of protein or more; and "fiber," with at least 8 grams of fiber.

The menu includes the Fit Slam, with scrambled egg whites, spinach, grape tomatoes, turkey bacon, fruit, and an english muffin; a chicken avocado sandwich and cranberry apple chicken salad for lunch; and tilapia ranchero for dinner. Some of these dishes — like the Fit Slam breakfast and the tilapia ranchero — actually sound healthy in a refreshing way. Could you see yourself heading to Denny's more, now that they've created a lighter menu?

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