Mom's Birthday Part II

Menu: Blueberry pancakes, fresh fruit, thick cut bacon, smoked salmon/goat cheese/dill frittata, carrot cake cupcakes, brunch champagne cocktail

My Mom's favorite thing to do with family (besides get all of the gossip haha), is to go to brunch on Sundays after church. We don't often make brunch due to busy schedules, but when we do, Mom always comments on how much she loves brunch and what a wonderful time she always has. For her birthday, creating this brunch for her and our family was my gift to her.

I tried to combine all of Mom's favorites into one meal: blueberry pancakes, fresh fruit, and smoked salmon. The sweet breakfast cocktail in a pretty shade of pink is now a new favorite! (Besides, what's not to love about booze with breakfast?!) I also made bacon so that there would be a little something for everyone (extra thick is totally the way to go...mmmmm pork fat....). With six people eating, I worked like a maniac trying to get everything hot and ready for when they all got back from church.

The blueberry pancakes I've done several times and are posted on this blog here. I baked the bacon in the oven while cutting up the fruit. The smoked salmon, goat cheese, and fresh dill frittata is an Ina Garten recipe. It's super easy and gorgeous and a must serve if you ever have guests to impress. It made for delicious leftovers served with a small salad the rest of the week.

We polished off the cupcakes for dessert and sang Happy Birthday again. Mom was absolutely thrilled and once I recovered from my food coma, I was able to enjoy her celebration even more because she was so happy. :)

Fresh flowers :)

Smoked salmon, goat cheese, fresh dill frittata (still puffy from the oven)

Smoked Salmon Frittata

* 1 medium onion, diced

• * 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• * 12 extra-large eggs
• * 1 cup heavy cream
• * 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, such as Montrachet, crumbled
• * 1/2 pound smoked salmon, chopped
• * 3 scallions, chopped, white and light green parts
• * 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• * 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• * 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Saute the onion and butter in a 10-inch oven-proof omelet pan over medium-low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the heavy cream, goat cheese, smoked salmon, scallions, dill, salt, and pepper and combine. Pour the mixture over the onions and place the omelet pan in the center of the oven. Bake the frittata for about 50 minutes, until it puffs and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve hot directly from the pan.

Recipe from Ina Garten


Breakfast Cocktail
* 1-2 bottles chilled dry champagne
* Pink Lemonade frozen concentrate
* 1 lemon, sliced thin for decoration


Right before serving, mix champagne and pink lemonade concentrate in a glass pitcher. Add sliced lemons for decoration. Serve right away.