Celebrate mom with an easy menu that’s sure to impress

Food is love, and preparing a special menu for your mom this Mother’s Day – or for the mom figure in your life – is a treasure she’ll surely appreciate. This delicious, easy to pull together meal is the way to do it.

You don’t have to be an experienced chef to make a trio of dishes you’ll be proud to share, and pouring your heart into something you can enjoy together is sure to send a strong message about how much you appreciate the time and love she pours into you.

SPICED GRASS-FED LAMB OVER HUMMUS

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Smooth hummus and fresh toppings paired with tender New Zealand grass-fed lamb – the Atkins Ranch brand is a great source – infuses flavor into every bite, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Visit BeefAndLambNZ.com for more recipes, cooking tips and information.

INGREDIENTS

· 4 Atkins Ranch grass-fed lamb loin chops

· 1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, separated

· 1/4 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon salt, separated

· 1 tablespoon + 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, separated

· 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas

· 3 cloves garlic, chopped

· 1/4 cup tahini

· 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

· 1/2 teaspoon paprika

· 1 Persian cucumber, small diced

· 1 small tomato, diced

· 2 tablespoons roasted pine nuts (or 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds)

· Parsley, chopped

· Lemon wedges

· Toasted flatbread or tortilla chips

PRPARATION

· To make lamb, remove meat from bone, dice into small cubes and transfer to medium bowl.

· Add 1 teaspoon cumin and 1/4 teaspoon salt and toss to coat; set aside to marinate while preparing hummus.

· To make hummus, drain chickpeas, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid, and rinse under running water; drain.

· In food processor, pulse chickpeas, chickpea liquid and garlic until chickpeas and garlic are well blended.

· Add tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, paprika and 1 tablespoon olive oil; pulse until smooth paste forms. Taste and adjust by adding more salt, lemon juice or olive oil, as desired. Spread hummus across large platter.

· In large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over high heat until hot; add lamb and cook 30 seconds without moving, then turn lamb over and cook 30-60 seconds, repeating until all sides are browned. Remove from pan and let rest 5 minutes.

· To serve, place cucumbers and tomatoes in well of hummus then top with lamb, pine nuts and parsley.

· Top with squeeze of lemon juice and serve with flatbread or tortilla chips.

CARAMELIZED ONION, MUSHROOM & BACON PIEROGIES

Easy-to-prepare frozen pierogies (Mrs. T’s is a great option) deliver big, bold flavors in minutes and can be boiled, baked, sautéed, fried or grilled.

Visit MrsTsPierogies.com to find more recipe inspiration to celebrate mom.

INGREDIENTS

· 4 strips bacon, chopped

· 3 small onions, thinly sliced

· 1/3 cup baby bella mushrooms, thinly sliced

· 2 teaspoons fresh thyme

· 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

· 1 tablespoon sugar

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 2 tablespoons butter

· 1 box Mrs. T’s Classic Cheddar Pierogies

PREPARATION

· In pan over medium-high heat, cook bacon until tips begin to crisp.

· With bacon and drippings still in pan, add onions, mushrooms, thyme, balsamic vinegar, sugar and salt; cook 2-3 minutes until onions begin to brown, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered with lid, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

· In clean skillet, melt butter and sauté pierogies according to package directions; top pierogies with caramelized onion mixture and serve.

BROWN SUGAR POUND CAKE

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Servings: 8

No celebration is complete without dessert, and this decadent cake – baked with high-quality ingredients like C&H Sugars – end the meal on an especially sweet note.

Visit CHSugar.com for more recipe ideas.

INGREDIENTS

· 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for coating pan

· 1 cup softened butter, plus additional for coating pan

· 1 cup packed C&H Light Brown Sugar

· 4 eggs

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· Sweetened whipped cream for topping, optional

· Fresh fruit for topping, such as strawberries and blueberries, optional

PREPARATION