Mother's Day

I had the privilege of hosting mother's day brunch last weekend for my mom and dad, mother and father-in-law, Dylan's brother and sister-in-law, and a good friend, Jen. It is incredible to have such a gracious, loving family (thanks to amazing moms). It makes being together and entertaining such a joy. Not many people can say the perfect Sunday morning is spent with parents and in-laws.

Sunday morning was a blur of cleaning, cooking, and baking. Dylan and Jen were the best side-kicks and prepped and cleaned as I made a mess. I'd never cooked bacon before, and my mom stepped in to save the day sure it crisped <3

Here's the menu (thanks, Martha Stewart) and recipes for things that are worth making again:

• salad with salmon, goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, & champagne vinaigrette
• asparagus and leek/spinach and feta quiche (substituted a 1/2 cup 1% milk to lighten the quiche a little. I could not tell a difference.)
  
• fresh raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries
• brown sugar-glazed apple-smoked bacon
• raspberry scones (added a tsp of lemon zest and a lemon glaze)
• white sangria, iced tea, OJ, coffee

Overall, it was a wonderful morning. Just before my parents headed back to Cincinnati, we walked along the Walhalla ravine, which is a beautiful, wooded oasis in the middle of Clintonville. It's Matilda's favorite walk with lots of squirrels, a creek, and gorgeous houses. Fingers crossed my parents might someday make Columbus home-base :)

3-Bean Salad

Most of the foods I crave these days are mom's recipes I grew up eating. This afternoon I had a serious hankering for her 3-bean salad. I couldn't get a hold of her for the recipe, but managed to create a delicious/similar variation:


Not-quite-Mom's 3-bean salad

15oz can green beans
15oz can red kidney beans
15oz can limas
minced clove of garlic
diced small yellow bell pepper
2 stalks of sliced celery

Dressing
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp celery seed
salt/pepper

Combine rinsed beans, garlic, pepper, and celery in large bowl
Warm dressing ingredients on stove until sugar dissolves, pour over beans and gently mix.
Refrigerate at least an hour.