Dinner Ideas to Make Mom Feel Special on Mother's Day

We celebrate Mother's Day here in the Philippines on the 2nd Sunday of May. But some countries in the U.K. celebrate it on the 2nd Sunday of March, that's tomorrow. So, in this post, I would like to share with you some easy dinner ideas that may help you make your mom feel special on Mother's day, or any other special day like her birthday.

If this is your first time giving your Mom a festive dinner treat at home, you may be wondering if you can do it. Well, you certainly can with the simple ideas presented here. 

Menu for this Mother's Day Dinner

• Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad with Grapefruit slices, Lettuce and Walnuts. 
• Stuffed Turkey Roll Ups
• Rice Pilaf and Carrots Glazed with Orange Juice 
• Chocolate-Covered Strawberries or purchase Mom's favorite dessert

Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad (Four Servings)

You'll need:

• Two packages of pre-washed ready-to-serve lettuce
• 4 to 6 ounces fresh raspberries (If you can't find fresh, use frozen unsweetened berries.)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 
• 1/2 cup mild cooking oil 
• Walnuts 
• Fresh grapefruit slices 

The tang of the grapefruit slices is complimented by the crunch of the walnuts and sweetness of the raspberries in this easy to pull together salad. 

Mix the vinegar, oil, and crushed raspberries together and set aside. When you're ready to serve, toss the dressing with the lettuce and divide it into four plates. Arrange 4-5 grapefruit slices on the lettuce and sprinkle with walnuts. 

Watch how to make this raspberry vinaigrette with a twist - added the summer taste of mango.

Stuffed Turkey Roll Ups

You'll need:

• Turkey slices from the deli about ¼ inch thick 
• Cream cheese
• Prepared stuffing mix 

Moms will be impressed when you bring out this turkey dish. It looks like it took lots of time and talent to make. 

Surprise, since it starts with purchased cooked turkey slices, you don't need much time or talent. About 30 minutes before dinner is ready, spread cream cheese on the slices and add the prepared stuffing mix.

Roll up. Place in a baking dish then cover it with foil. Bake in a 350 F oven for 15 minutes or so until hot. Remove the foil to serve.

This video shows another way to prepare this recipe - with lots of gravy.

Rice Pilaf and Carrots Glazed with Orange Juice (Four Servings)

You'll need:

• 15-ounce Can cream of chicken soup 
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas 
• 1 cup frozen chopped onions 
• 3 cups frozen carrots
• 1/4 cup Orange juice concentrate 
• 1/4 cup butter 

Rice Pilaf 

If you just want plain boiled or steamed rice, you can easily prepare this. But here's a rice pilaf recipe, if you want. This isn't the traditional rice pilaf and it's easy to put together. 

Put the rice, cream of chicken soup and chicken broth in a baking dish. Add the frozen peas and chopped onions. Stir and bake in a 350 F oven for 40 minutes until the rice is cooked. 

Glazed Carrots 

Image by exlibris - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

If you start with packaged frozen carrots there's no peeling or chopping required. Since the carrots have been blanched before they've been frozen, they don't need much cooking time. 

Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high heat for one minute at a time until the carrots still have some crunch to them, probably no more than three minutes total. 

Before the last minute of cooking time, add the orange juice concentrate and butter. It's Mother's day so splurge on real butter, not the fake stuff.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

You'll need:

• 1 16-oz. container strawberries, preferably organic
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of both
• 1½ T. coconut oil, divided
• ¼ c. white chocolate chips
• ¼ c. pecans, very finely chopped

The easiest way to finish the meal is by buying your Mom's favorite dessert. But if you want to be fancy, you can try to make these Chocolate-Covered Strawberries.

Line a large baking sheet with wax paper and set it aside.

Wash strawberries and make sure to pat dry using a paper towel before proceeding.

In a bowl, put the dark chocolate chips and a half tablespoon coconut oil. Microwave it for 20 seconds. Stir, microwave, stir, and so on until it is melted completely.

Dip half the strawberries into the dark chocolate until covered. Gently touch the bottom edge of the strawberry against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Transfer to the baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes.

Melt the white chocolate. Then, carefully drizzle it over half the chocolate-covered strawberries with a spoon. You may also use an empty squeeze bottle or a pastry bag fitted with a very small tip.

Dip the bottom of the remaining strawberries in the melted white chocolate and then dip into a bowl of chopped pecans.

Transfer to the baking sheet and put in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes.

When the chocolate is firm, remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator.

I hope you can try these easy dinner ideas. If you have other ideas to share, please leave your comment below. Happy cooking!