Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis (Show: Giada at Home / Episode: Mother’s Day Brunch)

 Treat Mom to a sweet breakfast on her special day. Best of all, these recipes are so simple you won’t have to ask for her help.

 Baked French Toast with Blueberries

Cook time: 45 minutes / Yield: 4-6 servings / Level: Easy

Ingredients

  • Butter, for greasing
  • 6 eggs
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup, plus extra for serving
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 3 (1-inch thick) slices (8 ounces) day-old challah or sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen, thawed, and drained blueberries
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

Place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest. Add the bread cubes and mix until coated. Stir in the blueberries. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, mix together the remaining cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the egg mixture in an even layer. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is set.

Spoon onto serving plates and drizzle with maple syrup.

[Information Source]

Citrus Cream Smoothie

Cook time: 5 minutes / Yield: 6 (8 ounce) servings / Level: Easy

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/4 cups orange juice
  • 2 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange zest (from 1 large orange)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

Pour the cooled syrup into a blender. Add the yogurt, orange juice, bananas, orange zest, vanilla extract, and ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

[Information Source]