(Family Features) Some summertime dishes are just too good to be true. This Easy Pasta Salad is simple enough to become a favorite side and filling enough to serve as a light main course. Enjoy more warm weather recipes by visiting Culinary.net.

Easy Pasta Salad

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6

• 1 pound pasta noodles of choice
• 1 can (15 ounces) peas, drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) carrots, drained
• 1 package (16 ounces) diced ham
• 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
• 1 package (6 ounces) cheddar cheese cubes
• 2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup juice from bread butter pickles
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place in large bowl. Add peas, carrots, ham, bacon pieces and cheese cubes.
2. In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, pickle juice, vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour mixture over pasta and mix well.
3. Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

  SOURCE: Culinary.net

Want to make this Mother’s Day extra special? Skip the crowded restaurants and show Mom your love through a home-cooked meal she’ll never forget. We’ve crafted three foolproof recipes that even kitchen novices can master – because nothing says “I love you” quite like a meal made from the heart.

🌟 1. Heavenly Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Compote

Picture golden, cloud-like pancakes that practically float off the plate, their edges delicately crispy while their centers remain pillowy-soft and tender. The rich, creamy ricotta creates pockets of moisture that melt in your mouth, while bright lemon zest cuts through with citrusy sparkle. The warm berry compote cascades over the stack, its jewel-toned fruits bursting with sweet-tart juice that mingles perfectly with pure maple syrup.

🍳 2. Mediterranean Brunch Board

A feast for both eyes and palate, this stunning spread features eggs with golden yolks that ooze luxuriously when broken, their richness enhanced by aromatic dukkah’s nutty crunch. Creamy, house-made hummus swirled with extra virgin olive oil sits alongside prosciutto roses that fold like silk. Fresh figs, split to reveal their honey-sweet crimson centers, nestle against wedges of artisanal cheese that range from buttery-soft to crystalline-sharp. Every bite tells a story of Mediterranean sunshine.

👑 3. Herb-Crusted Salmon with Champagne Cream Sauce

A masterpiece of textures and flavors: the salmon’s herb crust offers a satisfying crackle before revealing the perfectly cooked, rose-pink flesh beneath that flakes at the mere touch of a fork. The champagne cream sauce, velvety and sophisticated, pools elegantly around the fish, its subtle bubbles lending an air of celebration. Bright green asparagus spears provide the perfect crisp-tender contrast, while the wild mushroom risotto, infused with earthy aromatics and finished with a generous shower of Parmesan, creates a bed of creamy comfort that ties the whole dish together.

Why These Recipes Work:

Each recipe can be partially prepped in advance

Ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets

They’re impressive without being overly complicated

Perfect balance of flavors and textures

Suitable for various dietary preferences

Each bite is carefully crafted to create not just a meal, but a memorable experience that shows Mom just how special she is. The interplay of textures and flavors in each dish creates a symphony of tastes that will linger in her memory long after the last bite.

Here are some Wine Pairings to make these dishes perfect:

🌟 Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Perfect Pairing: Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti

Why it works: The light bubbles and subtle sweetness complement the citrus notes while cutting through the richness of the ricotta.

🍳 Mediterranean Brunch Board

Perfect Pairing: Rosé or Albariño

Why it works: A crisp, dry rosé enhances the salty prosciutto and creamy cheeses, while Albariño’s mineral notes complement the Mediterranean flavors.

👑 Herb-Crusted Salmon

Perfect Pairing: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir

Why it works: A lightly oaked Chardonnay matches the richness of the champagne sauce, while a light-bodied Pinot Noir works beautifully with the herb crust.

Plating Instructions:

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:

Stack 3-4 pancakes slightly off-center on a warm, white plate

Drizzle berry compote in an artistic swoosh from 2 o’clock to 7 o’clock

Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar

Pro tip: Use a wide, flat plate to let the colors pop against the white background

Mediterranean Brunch Board:

Start with a large wooden board or slate platter

Create height by placing small bowls of hummus and dips at different points

Arrange prosciutto roses in a cascading pattern

Group cheeses by type, creating a gradient from soft to hard

Fill negative space with fresh herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Use small olive wood bowls for dips to add rustic elegance

Herb-Crusted Salmon:

Place the risotto in a shallow bowl using a ring mold

Position the salmon at a 45-degree angle, slightly overlapping the risotto

Arrange asparagus spears like a fan

Drizzle champagne sauce in an elegant circle around the plate

Garnish with micro herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Warm the plates before serving to keep everything at perfect temperature

Remember: The most important ingredient isn’t listed in any recipe – it’s the love and thought you put into making Mom’s day special. These meals aren’t just about the food; they’re about creating precious moments together.

Ready to make Mom’s day unforgettable? Save these recipes now and start planning your Mother’s Day menu. Trust us – seeing her face light up will be worth every minute in the kitchen.

Here are some related links to further help you make Mother’s Day special:

Good Housekeeping: 55 Best Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas – Good Housekeeping

Food Network: Mother’s Day Recipes: Brunch, Dinner, Desserts and More

NYT Cooking: Mother’s Day Recipes – NYT Cooking

Happy Mother’s Day!

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

Food and Drink

(Family Features) Hustling to get out the door for a busy day may tempt you to skip breakfast but taking a few extra minutes to nourish your body helps ensure you can keep up with the day’s demands. Breakfast is your chance to jumpstart your body. Eating breakfast offers multiple benefits, including providing energy to fuel your day and increasing your ability to focus and make decisions. A breakfast rich in protein is also important to keep you fuller longer. Eggs may be a frequent option, yet dairy foods can be a good, protein-rich alternative. If you’re cutting calories, an option like Milk50 contains only 50 calories per serving but the same amount of protein as other dairy milks – 9 grams per serving – along with calcium and vitamin D. This first-of-its-kind product also contains 75% less sugar than skim milk, is lactose-free and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors. A return-to-dairy trend is gaining momentum, with 58% of U.S. adults welcoming dairy back to their diets after being disappointed with the price, taste and heavy processing of plant-based beverages, according to a national survey commissioned by Dairy Farmers of America. Incorporating these real dairy favorites in your morning recipes can be a cinch. Start your morning with a nutritious and delicious shake like this Vanilla Coffee Protein Shake, which combines cold brew coffee and frozen bananas for a refreshing treat. Or, if you’re craving something a little heartier, mix up a batch of Chai Oatmeal Energy Bites over the weekend or in the evening so you can grab one or two on the go. Find more breakfast inspiration at milk50.com.

Chai Oatmeal Energy Bites

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 55 minutes Yield: 2 doze

• 1          cup DairyPure Milk50 Vanilla
• 3          chai tea bags, divided
• nonstick cooking spray
• 2          cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 2          teaspoons baking powder
• 2          tablespoons flaxseed
• 1          teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3       cup maple syrup
• 1/2       cup chopped pecans

1. In small pot, heat milk until hot but not simmering. Take off heat and place two chai tea bags in milk. Steep tea in milk until cool, about 30 minutes, then discard tea bags.
2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cooled chai milk, oats, salt, baking powder, flaxseed, vanilla and maple syrup.
3. Open third chai tea bag and measure 2 teaspoons tea. If tea is coarse, blitz in spice grinder or use mortar and pestle to grind more finely. Stir tea into batter and let mixture sit 10 minutes so oats can soak up milk.
4. Give batter another stir then fill each mini muffin cavity about 3/4 with batter, about 1 tablespoon in each. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Bake bites 12-13 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of bite comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes.

Vanilla Coffee Protein Shake

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 8 hours Servings: 1

• 5-6       ounces DairyPure Milk50 Vanilla
• 1/2       banana, sliced and frozen
• 1/4       cup, plus 2 tablespoons, cold brew concentrate
• 1/2       teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2       scoops protein powder of choice
• 2          teaspoons simple syrup (or to taste)

1. Make ice cubes by pouring milk into ice cube tray and freezing until solid, about 8 hours.
2. To make shake: In high-speed blender, blend frozen banana slices, cold brew, vanilla, protein powder, simple syrup and 5-6 milk cubes until creamy. Serve in glass.

SOURCE: Dairy Pure Milk50