Mother's Day menu

Whole roast chicken in a. traybake with seasonal vegetables

Starter

Start off the meal with a fresh soup bursting with spring vegetables. This vibrant green blend is packed with leeks, peas and watercress and counts as two of your five-a-day. It's also freezable, which is perfect if you want to get ahead. Serve with a warm bread roll or go the extra mile by making your own – our rustic courgette & cheddar soda bread is perfect for dipping.

Leek, pea & watercress soup

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Main

Give your Sunday roast a springtime twist by adding radishes and whole spring onions to the chicken, along with a creamy herb and lemon sauce. Tarragon lends a sweet aniseed flavour, which cuts through the mascarpone and complements the chicken. Cook everything together with greens and new potatoes in a baking dish so the veg gets coated in the sauce whilst the meat stays succulent.

Roast chicken can be taken to the next level by salting the meat liberally a day ahead of cooking to ensure a crispy skin. You can also prepare the mascarpone mixture and stuff it under the skin the day before to marinate the meat, keeping it covered in the fridge.

Spring one-pot roast chicken

Check our more Mother's Day dinner ideas.

Vegetarian options

If you want to serve up a veggie centerpiece, then we've got plenty of inspiration. This roast butternut squash is stuffed with delicious feta, nuts, grains and herbs. Or, make our easy double cheese & spring vegetable tart for a full fromage hit, balanced with fresh asparagus and peas.

For something a little more challenging, try this showstopping feta-stuffed cannellini nut roast. Packed with pistachios, Middle-Eastern spices, sundried tomatoes and a creamy marscapone, herb and feta filling – it'll soon be a favourite. Serve with crispy florets of harissa-roasted purple sprouting broccoli. Reduce stress by making this up to 48 hours ahead and storing in the fridge until ready to roast.

Vegan options

Vegan lentil and sweet potato cottage pie

If you are looking for a vegan main to impress, our hearty vegan cottage pie will make the perfect Sunday lunch. The lentil filling is given a rich, umami flavour boost with a hint of soy sauce and red wine, whilst the mustardy sweet potato topping is finished with pumpkin seeds and baked for a beautiful crunchy finish. Serve alongside some steamed seasonal greens, dressed with a little salt and olive oil.

Our vibrant vegan beetroot bourguignon is another joyful dish to celebrate this special day. Beetroot is roasted together with onions, carrots and herbs to give a lovely charred flavour before cooking in red wine sauce together with mushrooms and lentils to make a rich stew.

See our vegetarian dinner party recipes and vegan Mother's Day recipes for more inspiration. For another special dietary option, our gluten-free Mother's Day menu also boasts a range of vibrant, seasonal dishes.

Dessert

If your mum is partial to a lemon drizzle cake, this fresh and zingy self-saucing pudding will be a hit. Kids can help out with mixing the ingredients and whisking.

Transform this simple sponge into a sensational dessert with a speedy lemon curd made from lemons, sugar and cornflour. Pour it over the sponge just before baking so it thickens and collects at the bottom of the dish. You'll be rewarded with soft, light sponge and a gooey citrus base. Serve straightaway with a dollop of cream or custard.

Lemon drizzle sponge pudding

See our Mother's Day cakes and Mother's Day desserts for more brilliant bakes.