Vegetarian Menu Ideas For Mother's Day

First, when planning your menu, try to include dishes that you know Mom will love. If there’s a cuisine she’s especially fond of, like Italian or Indian, then focus the menu on that. Or else bring together a little of all her favorites for one special meal.

Brunch is an easy option. Or you could make Mom some breakfast in bed. Try waffles, pancakes, omelets and fresh baked bread to tempt the guests. Serve up a bowl of fresh berries. Make French toast and serve it with slices of fresh fruit. Bake a savory quiche with cheese, asparagus and mushrooms.

Or you could plan a dinner menu. Start with a fresh salad, which is a an option for any meal that’s full of healthy vegetables. Try a spinach salad with blue cheese, raspberries and walnuts. Drizzle it with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Or serve a soup, like a bright orange carrot ginger or hearty lentil.

Focus on the fresh fruits and vegetables of the season throughout the meal. Try serving stuffed artichokes, stuffed peppers or loads of fresh green asparagus and peas. Make a side dish of rice, bulgur or pureed sweet potatoes. You don’t need to serve a meat substitute, even. You can buy one, like a Tofurkey, or you could just fill the meal out with veggies. Try baking a butternut squash or acorn squash and then stuffing them with a rice and veggie mixture.

Pasta is always a favorite, even when vegetarians aren’t dining. Make ravioli with sage butter. Try a pasta primavera loaded with spring vegetables. Bake eggplant parmesan atop a bed of spaghetti. Serve fettucine with fresh tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Pasta is the natural canvas for many creative vegetarian recipes.

Explore dishes from around the world. Make a curry from coconut milk and chunks of potato, squash and sweet potato. Serve it with rice. Or try your hand at Thai and serve up pad thai or pad see ewe with tofu. Roll up vegetarian sushi rolls with avocado, asparagus and more. Serve with freshly steamed and salted edamame.

For a more casual meal, make a few different pizzas. Use plenty of homemade tomato sauce, fresh cheese and fresh toppings. Try vegetables like artichoke hearts, sliced tomato, broccoli and peppers. Go daring with pineapple and jalapeno peppers on the same pizza. Or serve the classic cheese pizza topped with plenty of fresh basil and oregano.

For dessert, you can celebrate the spring with something fruity. Make a sorbet from fresh berries. Bake a cheesecake and top with a fruit compote. Or bake a cake and decorate it in your mother’s honor.

Whatever you make for your vegetarian mom and guests, just make sure that one person doesn’t lift a finger during prep or clean-up. It’s Mother’s Day, after all, and mothers shouldn’t have to do the work.