Sunday, October 07, 2007

Mom's Birthday Brunch

This weekend was my mom's birthday! She is a really awesome person, and deserving of a wonderful birthday party! Family schedules had us settling on a Sunday brunch, which we hosted here at our house. That makes for a happy me... I love to cook for happy eaters.

Here's the whole spread - Polenta with Butternut Squash and Fresh Corn, Fat Free Vegan's Pineapple Coffee Cake, FFV's mini crustless tofu quiches, a big bowl of strawberries, raisin nut rye bread from our local bakery, homemade crepes with jam or maple syrup, fresh apple slices, OJ & sparkling water. YUM! What a feast.


Here are the mini quiches. Oh YUM. They're so good. I also added some rehydrated sundried tomatoes. You can see that there is one missing already - I think my grandma snagged one before I could take the pick! I had all the food put out - and ready to photograph - when my batteries died. Ugh. So, Musty grabbed me his little camera, which did the trick (even if the photos are a bit dark and uninspired). It's hard to take nice pictures when the whole family is holding their plates and breathing down your camera lens! ha ha.


I really like this dish, I've blogged about it once, long before... (there's a recipe there too) It's polenta with butternut squash puree, sauteed onions with a little Marsala wine, and fresh corn kernals. Mmmm. It's a nice combination of flavors.


Here's a substandard photo of an amazing recipe: Susan V's Pineapple Coffee Cake. Back when she very first blogged this recipe, it caught my eye & I haven't forgotten it. I finally got around to making it - and I definitely won't wait so long again. It's really an easy and delicious treat.

Here's my plate (at least the first time around- hee hee) - a crepe filled with apricot jam, a couple of mini quiches, a slice of bread, some polenta and berries.

I think the crepes were the big hit of the party, although everything was polished off! I basically use Isa's Savory Crepe recipe from VWAV, except I've taken it down from 1 tsp of salt to 1/4 tsp. Everyone at the party loved these babies & many people had seconds! They're easy to make ahead and keep warm in a big stack. I love crepes so much, it is a bit weird. Even my dad, who was originally overcome with fear at the mere mention of vegan food, loved these babies and asked for seconds. YEAH - a vegan victory!


Here's everyone, chowing down! It was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny day - which made the brunch feel all the more perfect. My mom had a bit of a cold, but I think she had a great birthday party. I love you Mom! :)

For dinner that night, I had some leftover of the polenta, with beans & salsa, a big mess of steamed spinach, and leftover slice of bell pepper. mmmm.

17 comments:

  1. That is such an amazing coincidence! My mom's birthday was 2 weekends ago, and we went down to VA, where I too cooked vegan brunch and vegan b-day cake for the family! Great minds think alike.
    Happy birthday to your mom! She sounds like a wonderful person.

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  2. wow, the polenta, pineapple-coffee cake, crepes, EVERYTHING looks sensational. You would be such a hit as a caterer, that's for sure!!

    Happy belated birthday to your mom! :0)

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  3. What a great brunch spread, your mom is a lucky lady. I will have to try the mini quiches soon.

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  4. Wow, Amey! You put together a great brunch for your mom's birthday. I'm surprised you had ANY leftovers!

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  5. Brunch looks delicious! What a fabulous B-Day celebration. I heard from our guy and they still haven't set a date....

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  6. Oh my, that feast looks AMAZING! Your Mom is one lucky lady!

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  7. What a gorgeous spread! I'm sure your mom felt very loved. everything looks great, but the polenta sounds especially fantastic. I need to try that pineapple coffee cake, too. Yum!

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  8. Anonymous5:57 PM

    I love that pineapple coffee cake. Unfortunately Marty thinks it's not sweet enough so I haven't made it again.

    Your spread looks delicious. What a lucky lady your mom is! I love seeing your two doggies milling about, hoping for a dropped morsel.

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  9. Wow, what a great vegan spread. And judging from the sun on your plate, you were eating outside. That must have been so nice. Basking in the sun with friends, family, and good food was probably the best gift ever!

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  10. Amazing spread! What an awesome way to say happy birthday to your mom.

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  11. What a lucky mom you have! And happy birthday to her. That polenta dish sounds delicious.

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  12. happy birthday to your mom! I looove those quiches :o).

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  13. Happy B-day to Mom! What an amazing feast for your omni-family. That's so great that they loved everything, why wouldn't they? I love that your dad had seconds. Your family is converting any day now to veganism with your cooking!

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  14. What a special day you had for your mom! So nice to be around family.

    That's too funny that your grandma snagged a quiche before you could even take the photo!

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  15. Please sign the petition against Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, the 'artist' who starved a dog as an 'art exhibition', and/or spread the story to others. Here is the coverage so far: http://reiskeks-natividad.blogspot.com/ Thank you!

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  16. Anonymous12:48 PM

    wow, it looks like it was a wonderful birthday branch! happy birthday to your mom :)

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