November 2011
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Let’s be honest. Pool season is not nearly long enough. That’s why there’s no reason to wait until after Memorial Day to start using your pool as a backyard retreat. You can get started early by having a Mother’s Day brunch poolside. Though it might still be too cool for swimming, bring your celebration outside—with your shimmering pool as a backdrop—to celebrate your wonderful mother while enjoying the beauty of spring.
Follow these tips to throw a fun and meaningful Mother’s Day brunch by the pool:
Set the table
When it comes to brunch, presentation is key. Try to pick a color scheme that will contrast nicely with the aqua color of your pool water, and coordinate with place settings and flowers. Bright colors such as lilac and marigold best represent spring and will look great in the sun. As an extra touch, scatter disposable cameras on the tables to let guests capture the memories of the brunch and your family’s time together.
Decorations
Your sparkling water is a great backdrop on its own, but adding floating décor can enhance the mood. This can be as simple as putting brightly colored floating beach balls in the pool. For a more elaborate effect, use floating lily pads or flower-shaped candles that still look elegant even when they’re not lit. Though the brunch will be during the day, lighting decorations such as tiki torches and lanterns look nice around the pool and add to a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Your Mother’s Day Brunch Menu
When you’re hosting a poolside brunch, there’s nothing better than fresh food prepared on the grill. While grilling often means steaks and hamburgers, you’d be surprised by how many delicious and unique brunch items can be made with your grill.
Here are a few recipes to consider:
Bobby Flay’s Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Scrambled Eggs (serves 4)
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
12 large eggs, lightly beaten
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 ounces crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet that has been placed on the grates of the grill. Add the onion and jalapeno and cook until soft.
2. Stir in the eggs and season with salt and pepper. Continue stirring the eggs until soft curds form.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the goat cheese and chives.
Rachael Ray’s Grilled Herbed Sausages (serves 6)
Ingredients
12 fully cooked bratwurst sausages
12 bay leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium.
2. Using a knife, make a slit through the center of each sausage; insert a bay leaf through each incision.
3. In a small bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar and olive oil; drizzle over the sausages.
4. Grill the sausages, turning occasionally, until grill marks appear, about 10 minutes.
Your guest of honor
As great as all the festivities can be, it’s important to remember what Mother’s Day is all about—telling your mom how special she is and how much you love her. Honor your mom by giving a toast that reminds her how much you appreciate her. After that, sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful day with your mom by the pool!
Prepare this sparkling, juice recipe for a perfect drink to toast your mom:
Ginger Pineapple Sparkling Punch
Ingredients
For ginger syrup
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup agave nectar
1 cup thinly sliced unpeeled fresh ginger
For punch
3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 1/2 cups sparkling water, chilled
4 cups ice cubes
Directions
Make ginger syrup:
1. Bring water, agave nectar, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until agave nectar is dissolved.
2. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, then remove from heat and steep, uncovered, 15 minutes.
3. Pour syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding ginger. Chill, covered, until cold, about 2 hours.
Make punch:
1. Stir together ginger syrup and fruit juices in a punch bowl or pitcher.
2. Stir in sparkling water and ice.
