I chose these main course recipes from two of my go-to recipe sites, Allrecipes and Food Network. These sites allow for comments from those who have made the recipes and ratings. I like that.

 

Each of the recipes uses lots of fresh produce that you can get at the supermarket or, if you’re near one that has opened for the season, a farmers market. Don’t forget to pick up a bunch of flowers for Mom from a local grower if you go to the farmers market.

 

Like yesterday’s appetizer recipes, I chose recipes that I would want to eat. I hope you find something that suits your mother’s tastes.

 

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato and Basil and Potatoes with Peppers and Onions – This recipe from Rachel Ray uses lots of fresh ingredients — potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, basil, onions. Those preparing it could benefit from a trip to the farmers market the day before Mother’s Day if an open one is nearby. What really caught my attention about this recipe, though, was a comment by 14-year-old AJ whose mom is teaching her (him?) how to cook. The whole family loved it, and the comment lets us know that this is a meal that the kids can help prepare for Mom.

 

Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto – It’s asparagus season in much of the country right now, and this recipe from Alton Brown highlights the nutritious veggie. A nice, green salad, with a lemony vinaigrette to complement the lemon in the risotto, would complete this as a main course. There is a video that shows Alton making the recipe. If you’re unfamiliar with the slow cook time of risotto, you may want to watch it.

 

Quinoa Chard Pilaf – Quinoa and lentils, two power-packed grains, are accompanied by garlic, mushrooms and swiss chard in this dish. Many of the people who commented on the recipe also added diced tomatoes and a touch of salt. Others commented that you could add any vegetables to this and it would be good. Like the risotto above, a nice, green salad would round this out as a filling, nutritious main course.