party like a mother
my picks for mother’s day gifts, recipes + more
this mother’s day is even more special thanks to my new baby ;)
but really, after a whirlwind couple of weeks of gabbing, crying (happy tears only), meeting so many of you, and spending A LOT of time in airports, i’m so excited to spend some quality time with the fam, celebrate mother’s day and, okay, maybe get a gift or two.
so this week, i’m sharing my mother’s day gift ideas! and since I love a cozy celebration at home, i’ve included some of my favorite brunchy recipes (including some inspo from TAHINI BABY, which makes for the ultimate brunch companion!)
give the gift of TAHINI BABY🎁
xo, e
p.s. i’m still on my book tour!! come hang out 🥰
i’ll be in CHICAGO at the book cellar tonight.
then, MIAMI with a very special guest…IDO! 🥰
then, PHILLY with the one and only Mike Solomonov!
my Toronto and Montreal stops are officially sold out (!!) but there are still some tickets for CALGARY with @foodbymaria (get ready for a mediterranean partyyyy!!)
the gifts
a TAHINI BABY starter pack with Soom Tahini! the early pages of TAHINI BABY are dedicated to building your pantry – condiments, spices, and of course, tahini, to guide you through the entire book. get the mom in your life started on her pantry with some of my favorites, including the mediterranean spice set from la boite, and Soom Tahini– one of my absolute favorites! the possibilities are endless!! special shoutout to Soom, which was founded by 3 sisters and is available at whole foods, amazon, and walmart.com! once you incorporate this magic ingredient into your cooking, you won’t want to go back. trust me on this one.
a meaningful investment piece. while we’re on the topic of jewelry – this zahava calendar pendant is sooo special. I love how vintage it feels (it’s modeled after a 1960s charm) and denotes a special day of your choosing. you can even get your little ones’ names engraved on the back in their own handwriting. definitely a splurge, but also an instant heirloom.
3. an initial necklace with a twist. I love the trend of wearing my heart(s) around my neck, but I love this more stylish take on the trend from jennifer fisher even more. the gothic font is so chic and the lowercase letters really speak to me. I have both the girls’ initials and I always get asked where they are from.
a pan that looks as good as it cooks. I swear by all things staub in my kitchen. there is something so sexy about a sleek, heavy duty pan. plus, the enamel coating makes it so much easier to clean than a traditional cast iron and we looooveee that. also, this gift will last for YEARS.
photo by Kelsey Cherry
three words: fancy. olive. oil. kosterina is making some of the most gorgeous extra virgin olive oil out there, which you all know is a staple in this house and for so many of my recipes. you can get a big, beautiful bottle and a copy of TAHINI BABY all in one place! what a bundle! get it here!
photo by Kelsey Cherry
basically any and all caudalie, ever. I never feel fancier or more luxurious than when i’m slathering on caudalie skincare. I am partial to the premier cru line (the serum and cream are divine) but you can’t really go wrong here.
an all day, every day trench. as a mom, all I care about is being comfortable, having pockets, and looking cute. this trench (which has been with me on the book tour!) has it all.
the little sesame green goddess kit (with a familiar face ;) ), this little kit comes with black seed bagels, two containers of little sesame’s delicious green goddess hummus, a pickling kit, and a recipe card from yours truly. (for an additional $20 you’ll get the entire book, just saying!)
an effortlessly chic two-piece that screams spring. I got soooo many questions about this denim set from my good morning america appearance – it’s all levi’s, and it’s by far the easiest ‘put together’ look i’ve worn in a long time. they can also be worn separately, which, come on – three outfits in one? a mom’s dream.
a centerpiece pitcher. I am alllll about a piece that’s actually useful, but also looks stunning left out on the counter or table. this pitcher + glass set from material kitchen is perfect for any cold drink, but especially a batch cocktail. just saying.
an outfit-making purse. staud has theeeee cutest purses — so much variety (their beaded bags are perfect for vacation) but any one of these would be amazing for spring and summer outfits.
the recipessesame crumb challah french toast bake with roasted rhubarb + cream
I honestly don’t think there’s another sentence that contains this many things I want to eat. this is a decadent treat, comes together pretty easily and is perfect for a springtime celebration.
creamy chickpea shakshuka with cilantro jalapeno oil
a true crowd pleaser and perfect group recipe, the chickpeas, cilantro and jalapeno add a little something something extra to a classic brunch dish. delish.
potato + green bean salad with capers, olives and dill
do I really need to convince you to eat creamy, salty, dilly potatoes? I don’t think so, but here’s my pitch anyway: this heavenly combo is a flavor bomb, can be eaten hot or at room temp and only gets better over time. Plus if you add eggs OR tuna it is a full meal- totally nicoise inspired. also, it went viral on the gram so it is definitely a winner.
or, cook from the book :)
TAHINI BABY was born for days like mother’s day. here’s a taste of what you can expect for brunch from this (over 100 recipes!) powerhouse.
lemon ricotta sweet crumb babka, page 105
I can’t say enough good things about this sweet, surprising combo. it is inspired by one of my favorite bakeries in jaffa and i really feel like i nailed it. it definitely takes some effort but it’s SO worth it. we go nuts for it in my house and so will you. pro-tip: make the dough the night before and let it proof slowly overnight.
mom’s baked cheesecake, page 283
I can’t give you my mother’s day picks without sharing my mom’s incredible cheesecake. it’s light, it’s airy, it’s not too sweet. it’s perfect. you can watch my mama and I make it together below. pro-tip make it in advance so it has time to cool and set up in the fridge before slicing in. serve with seasonal fruit and you are golden.
asparagus, feta, and za’atar frittata, page 108frittatas are the perfect brunch food because they feel fancy and rustic but are really easy and meant to look a little imperfect. plus, it just gets better with time so you can have it out and come back for pieces all morning. I love this version, which celebrates spring with bright, salty feta, sweet asparagus, and earthy za’atar.
basbousa pancakes with orange blossom syrup, page 110
these are next level. as much as I love pancakes, they can kind of get a little tired after a while. not these. basbousa, a a syrupy, orange-blossom-water-soaked Egyptian semolina cake elevates the entire experience. ps, if you can’t find orange blossom water or don’t like it, a squeeze of lemon juice (or good old maple syrup) works here, too.
smashed cucumber salad with sumac and sesame, page 125
refreshing, cool, and as balanced as my favorite salads at chinese / japanese restaurants, with a little added TAHINI BABY twist thanks to the sumac, aleppo pepper, and pomegranate molasses.
eggplant, cherry tomato, and sage galette, page 93
gorgeous layers of eggplant and tomato and mozzarella and sage + store-bought puff pastry = a brunch centerpiece that’s just the right amount of fancy and easy with the store-bought dough.
one more thing!
before I get back to tour, I just want to give a huge shoutout to all the moms. being on the road the past few weeks and being away from the girls hasn’t been easy, and I know you all get it. i’m so happy that i’ll be home for mother’s day, and I hope you all have the best day ever, filled with so much love, and SO MUCH great food.
I’ll leave you with this behind-the-scenes pics from before my Studio 13 Live segment in Seattle 😉👌🏼
xo,
e