Happy Mother’s Day! At least that’s what all children (and husbands) hope it will be. Forest & Bluff turned to party planner extraordinaire, Debi Lilly, to create the perfect menu for a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. As a mother of two herself, Debi knew just what would make moms smile—and fathers breathe a sigh of relief—at this irresistibly simple, yet delicious breakfast that moms are sure to enjoy. Lake Forest’s Maddie and Jackson McCain proved that with just a little bit of supervision, even the wee ones can create a Mother’s Day she’ll never forget.
Berry Parfait 1 container fresh raspberries, rinsed 1 container fresh blueberries, rinsed 1 container fresh blackberries, rinsed 1 container fresh strawberries, rinsed, stems removed, sliced 1 container all-natural vanilla yogurt 1 package all-natural granola 1 package raw almonds 1 package raisins 1 jar natural honey (Debi prefers Beeline from Chicago) In parfait glasses or glass mugs, layer berries, yogurt, honey drizzle, and granola. Then repeat layers until glasses are full. Top with a few berries, almonds, raisins, and drizzles of honey. Serves 4.
Mumm-osa 1 bottle Mumm Champagne 1 pint natural orange sorbet 1 container fresh mint 1 Clementine orange, sliced Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass. Place glasses in freezer until ready to serve. Pour champagne over top, garnish with mint and citrus slices, serve. Serves 4.
Mother’s Day Recipe Box It’s the little touches that make this simple breakfast extra special for Mom. Debi opens her recipe box and shares her secrets for making the perfect breakfast in bed.
Breakfast BLFT (Bacon, Lettuce, Fig Jam, and Tomato) Whole-grain baguette (or 8 slices of bread) 4 eggs 1 teaspoon butter 8 slices all-natural turkey bacon, cooked 1 tomato, sliced 1 bunch arugula 1 jar fig preserves (Debi loves Rare Bird, from Chicago) 1 container ricotta cheese 1 bunch fresh thyme, chopped 1 bunch fresh basil, chopped Black pepper Melt butter in skillet. Fry eggs one at a time to desired taste (over easy, sunny side up, over hard, etc.). Slice baguette into 4 pieces, then slice each lengthwise. Mix ricotta with fresh chopped herbs in bowl, add fresh black pepper to taste. Spread bread half with ricotta, then with fig preserves. Layer fried egg, tomato, bacon, and arugula inside of bread. Serve warm. Serves 4.
Whole-Wheat Waffle Pops (can be made gluten-free) 2 organic eggs, beaten 1/4 cup organic skim milk 1/4 cup canola oil 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour (or gluten-free flour) 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 lemon, zested 1 waffle pop maker (can also use regular griddle and cut waffles into long strips) 1 package lollipop sticks In bowl, mix all ingredients together, in order listed. Spray waffle pop maker with nonstick spray, pour in waffle batter, then cook until golden brown. Remove when green light comes on. After waffle pop is removed from maker/griddle, insert lollipop stick. Serves 4.
Debi’s Craft Box Mother’s Day gifts should be ones from the heart—not expensive or full-on projects. Here are a few ideas from Debi to wow Mom with your creativity.
An Artful Vase Give children sheets of paper to color pretty pictures for Mom this Mother’s Day. Fill a cylinder vase with a flowering plant, like a blooming azalea, tulips, or something similar. Remove the plant from its plastic pot and drop it into the vase. When the children are finished with their work of art, wrap the cylinder vase with the art, using tape to secure.
Mom in the News Download one of the “mommy newspaper” templates from forestbluffmagazine.com. Have your child personalize it and add it to Mom’s breakfast tray for the perfect Mother’s Day reading material.
Candy Boxes While a delicious box of truffles from Lake Forest’s Bernard Callebaut may make the perfect gift, your little one may prefer putting together a custom box of sweet treats. To do so, visit your local craft store and buy an acrylic box with dividers. Then fill it with candies to your heart’s content. Wrap it in a spring-colored satin ribbon. Voilà!
This May, Chicago’s very own Debi Lilly unveils her first book, A Perfect Event: Inspired, Easy Elegance for Every Occasion. This book invites you inside 30 of Debi’s favorite parties—from East Coast to West Coast, and from celebrity events to a night out with the girls. Debi shares her party-planning tips, tricks, and styling secrets. But most valuable are her grocery-to-gorgeous chef-inspired recipes.
As chief eventeur at her company, A Perfect Event, Debi has long been an Oprah Winfrey “favorite.” She planned Oprah’s 50th on-air live birthday party celebration and dozens of other shows. She’s frequently featured as an entertainment expert in Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, Brides, and more. She trains each year at Le Cordon Bleu and is the entertainment contributor for ABC 7 Chicago’s Windy City LIVE.
