Bonding Over Brunch: A Mother's Day Celebration
Happy Mother's Day from four-year old Mark Watson, a student at The Children's Centre. (Photos: Charles Allen) (Photo: Odette Dixon)

Mother's Day is a special occasion to show your mum how much you love and appreciate her. And what better way to celebrate than by hosting a delicious brunch at home? Whether you're an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes are sure to impress your mum and make her day extra special. From French toast and fruit salad to quiche and eggs Benedict, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, stock up on Hamilton's Smokehouse range of deli meats and sausages, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and let's get cooking!

How to Ace Mother's Day Brunch

Plan: Make a list of everything you need for the brunch, including the menu, decorations, and any necessary supplies. This will help ensure you remember everything and avoid last-minute stress.

Choose a menu: Consider your mother's preferences and dietary restrictions when planning the menu. Make sure to include a variety of dishes, including savoury and sweet options, and have enough food for all guests.

Prep: Prepare as much food as possible the day before the brunch to reduce stress. You can also set up the table the night before.

Delegate tasks. Don't try to do everything yourself. Enlist the help of family members or friends to assist with cooking, setting the table, or other tasks.

Serve beverages: Offer a variety of drinks such as coffee, tea, and juices, as well as a signature cocktail or mocktail for the occasion.

Take photos: Capture the special moments by taking photos of the table setting, food, and guests. You can also create a photo album or slideshow to give as a gift to your mother.

Remember, the most important thing is to spend time with your mother and show her how much she means to you. Happy Mother's Day!

Hamilton's Smokehouse Black Forest Ham and Cheese Quick Bread

Ingredients:

1 pack Hamilton's Smokehouse Black Forest Ham, finely chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)

Nonstick cooking spray

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 teaspoons dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Pinch cayenne pepper

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons honey

3 eggs

1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, lightly packed (about 3 ounces)

1/2 cup finely diced (about 1/4-inch) Havarti or Gruyère cheese (about 2 ounces)

2 scallions, chopped

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard, kosher salt, and cayenne until combined.

In a large bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup milk, the oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and the eggs until smooth.

Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined.

Then fold in the ham, 3/4 cup shredded cheese, the diced cheese, and scallions.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheese.

Bake until well risen, golden brown, and a skewer or cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon each of honey and milk and the remaining 1, 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard until smooth.

Heat in the microwave until hot and bubbling, 20 to 30 seconds.

Turn the loaf onto a wire rack and generously the loaf onto a wire rack and generously brush with the warm glaze.

Cool completely.

Hamilton's Smokehouse Mother's Day Brunch Board

Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked and Jerk Sausages

Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Chicken Breast Slices

Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Ham Slices

Hamilton's Smokehouse Jerked Chicken Slices

Mini pancakes and waffles

Sliced escallions

Greek yogurt with honey

Jammy eggs

Mini waffles

Assorted fruit

Homemade Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients:

½ cup frozen blueberries

¼ cup apricot jam

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

Method:

In a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients.

Microwave on medium-low, stirring every 1½ minutes, until blueberries have broken down, about 5 minutes.

Serve with pancakes or waffles.

Cinnamon-Maple Butter

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 Tbsp pure maple syrup

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

In a small bowl, mash together butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon until combined.

Hamilton's Smokehouse Ham and Cheese Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 pack of Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Ham Slices (you may also substitute Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Chicken Slices)

1 package of store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough

4 ounces Gruyere cheese, roughly chopped (about 3/4 cup)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons honey

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Method:

Prepare the refrigerated biscuits as per the package instructions.

Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 15 minutes, and then halve each biscuit.

Process cheese in a food processor until the cheese starts to clump together, about 1 minute.

Place cream in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high. Immediately remove from heat; let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Pour cream into a small liquid measuring cup, with the food processor running, carefully and slowly pour hot cream onto the cheese, processing until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is incorporated, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency, about 45 minutes. (Alternatively, let the mixture cool slightly, about 10 minutes.) (Then freeze, stirring occasionally, until spreadable, about 20 minutes.)

Microwave honey in a small microwavable bowl on high until hot and runny, about 20 seconds.

Stir in pepper.

Spread cheese mixture evenly onto biscuit halves (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each).

Fold and drape Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Ham slices on top of each piece.

Drizzle evenly with pepper honey.

Serve immediately.

Hamilton's Smokehouse Breakfast Tart

Ingredients:

4 Hamilton's Smokehouse Smoked Sausages, cut lengthwise

1 can crescent dough

6 eggs

2/3 c. white cheddar

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tbsp chopped escallions

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400° and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place crescent dough on a baking sheet and pinch the seams together.

Fold the edges of the dough in to create a crust.

Crack eggs onto the crescent dough and sprinkle with cheese.

Place bacon on top and season all over with salt and pepper.

Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until crust is golden and egg whites are set, 10 to 15 minutes.

Garnish with scallions.

Slice into squares and serve warm.

Hamilton's Smokehouse black forest ham and cheese quick bread(Photo: Odette Dixon)
Hamilton's Smokehouse deli slices and sausages are a versatile foundation for brunch.(Photo: Odette Dixon)
Hamilton's Smokehouse breakfast tart(Photos: Charles Allen)(Photo: Odette Dixon)
Hamilton's Smokehouse ham and cheese biscuits (Photo: Odette Dixon)
Hamilton's Smokehouse Mother's Day brunch board (Photo: Odette Dixon)

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Polls

Which long-term investment option is more attractive to you at the moment?