A dozen mouth-watering, beautiful Mother’s Day recipes from my mom, or inspired by her — all are made with love.
Inspiration
My mom was an absolutely amazing cook who rarely, if ever, followed a recipe. She created masterpieces from leftovers – and her meals often had many “secret ingredients.” My mom shared her kitchen with me when I was growing up, and was always open to me experimenting with food.
Following her lead, I’d try to create my own recipes. I think that’s when my interest in cooking really began.
On Mother’s Day, and really every day, I celebrate my mom through food. Here are a dozen super delicious recipes, that are either my mom’s, or inspired by her.
Mother’s Day Recipes From my Mom
Each one has a story . . .
My dad would pick the lemons from the tree in the backyard and my mom would juice them with her antique juicer in her incredibly unique and stunning kitchen that she designed every inch of herself.
Grasshopper Pie was something my mom always made for company. Always a hit!
The sauce for this scrumptious chicken was created to taste just like my mom’s favorite mango sauce at her favorite Indian restaurant.
My mom’s favorite brownies of all time — from her favorite cookbook, Maida Heatter’s Book of Great Chocolate Desserts.
Some might call this an “egg n’ the hole” among other names, but my mom always called it a Hollywood Egg, and always made it with an onion bagel — never a slice of bread. It was also always made with butter, garlic salt, and a whole lotta love. 
Braised Brisket Stew
My mom made this brisket for as long as I can remember, and she always winged it. And she winged it perfectly! After years of interrogating her about her method (well, her method of winging it), I have come up with this scrumptious recipe.
Potato Pancakes with Red Onion-Apple Compote
My mom and my aunt used to spend hours in the kitchen together making potato pancakes. And I mean hours! And I loved each and every one of them. This delicious recipe is here.
Mexican Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Whenever my mom ordered flan or crème brûlée in a restaurant, she asked the server if it was “as smooth as silk.” I’ll be the server here and say that, yes, yes it is.
Ginger Applesauce
My mom is famous for this applesauce. People around town talk about it. No joke! You can see my mom’s amazingly unique, antique-filled kitchen, and get the recipe here.
Even though my mom is a true chocoholic, citrus desserts come in at a close second. Add ginger to that and she’s in heaven.
Knockwurst and the Best Baked Beans Ever
When I was a kid, about once a month my mom would make these beans with knockwurst, and it was the most incredibly delicious, comforting meal of all time.
Chocolate-Chipotle Colorado-Style Chili Recipe
This scrumptious chili is a take on my mom’s number one order from Casa Mia, our favorite restaurant from my childhood.
I hope you enjoy whichever of these Mother’s Day recipes from my mom you might try!
Jolina - The Unlikely Baker says
This is a wonderful, wonderful way to honour your mom 🙂 They are all lovely recipes and photographed so beautifully! I know immediately which one I’d try first though (ginger citrus pie). Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mom Valentina!
valentina says
Awww, thank you so much, Jolina! I appreciate the kind words. Hope you had a lovely day. ~Valentina
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
What a great collection of recipes for Mother’s Day! They all look delicious!
valentina says
Thanks, Marsha! Hope you try a couple.
Kate Hackworthy says
What a lovely foodie tribute to your mum! I really want to try the grasshopper pies! We don’t have them in the UK so I’m intrigued!
valentina says
I hope you give it a go, Kate. It’s SO delicious and SO easy! 🙂
Sarah says
I hope you and your mom had a fabulous mothers day! Love the list of recipes – don’t even know where to start!
valentina says
Thanks, Sarah! Hope it was a nice day for you, too. 🙂
Lisa @garlicandzest.com says
What a lovely tribute to your Mother! I think we all got our love of food and cooking from our Mom’s — they are our first teachers! These dishes look amazing!
valentina says
I totally agree, Lisa. Thank you!
Naina says
This is such a lovely way to celebrate your Mom and her food! Hope you had a great Mother’s day with her!!
valentina says
So happy you liked my celebration of my mom’s food. 🙂
Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash says
This post is sweeter than sweet. Your mother sounds like an amazing woman! I can feel the love through your words.
valentina says
Awww, Patricia, thank you. So happy that comes through. xo
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Fantastic tribute to your ma. The best kind…food is love, after all.
I cannot decide which of these I need to start with. That chicken is calling out to me, though. That’s first. Followed by every other one.
valentina says
Thank you so much, Dorothy. The chicken is soooo yummy! Hope had a lovely Mother’s Day. xo
Coco in the Kitchen says
What a gorgeous post. Those dishes look so good. The only thing that kept me from licking my computer monitor was the fact that I am at the office!
Hope you and you’re beautiful mom had the most wonderful Mother’s Day. She must be beaming with pride to have you as her daughter. xoxo
valentina says
Awww, you are just so sweet, Colette. Such kind words. I hope it was a lovely day for you, too. XOXO
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Oh Valentina, it must be so bittersweet to see this post from Mothers Day now. Your mother passed on her amazing cooking talents on to you and will continue to be part of your culinary future in all that you cook, create and bake. Hugs. xxx
valentina says
Thank you so much Christina. Much love to you. XOXOXO
Cathy A says
What a wonderful collection of delicious memories. I see where your culinary talents come from. That mango-coconut chicken is on my list to make.
valentina says
I hope you love it, Cathy! XO