Birthday
HydrangeasThis article was prepared with the support of UFL flower delivery. Breakfast in bed is valued not for culinary skill but for attention: someone got up earlier to start your holiday with care. You do not need to be a chef for the surprise to work. Just plan the menu the night before and choose a dish you know you can make.
6 ideas for breakfast in bed
1. Cinnamon French toast
You need: 4 slices of sandwich bread, 1 egg, 100 ml milk, 1 tbsp sugar, a pinch of cinnamon, butter, jam or berries.
Whisk the egg with the milk, sugar and cinnamon. Dip the bread in the mixture on both sides and fry in butter over medium heat for 2 minutes a side. You can cut out hearts with a cookie cutter. Serve with jam, berries and a cup of coffee the way she likes it.
2. Ham and cheese toasties
You need: 4 slices of bread, 2 slices of ham, 2 slices of cheese, butter, 2 eggs, cherry tomatoes and herbs.
Butter the bread, make sandwiches with ham and cheese and bake at 180 °C for 5–7 minutes, or cook in a dry covered pan until the cheese melts. Top with a fried egg if you like. Add cherry tomatoes, herbs and a glass of fresh juice.
3. Syrnyky (Ukrainian cottage cheese pancakes)
You need: 400 g cottage cheese (5–9% fat), 1 egg, 2 tbsp sugar, 3–4 tbsp flour plus extra for dusting, a pinch of salt and oil for frying.
Mash the cottage cheese with the egg, sugar and salt, then add the flour. Shape small patties, dust them with flour and fry over medium heat under a lid for 3–4 minutes a side. Serve with sour cream, honey or berry sauce. You can make the mixture the night before and keep it in the fridge.
4. A light salad or fruit plate
For a lighter breakfast, make a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta and olives with olive oil and serve it with a warm roll. Or prepare a fruit plate with strawberries, blueberries, mandarins, banana, Greek yoghurt, a little honey and a mint leaf.
5. Porridge with fruit
Cook rolled oats in milk or water for 5–10 minutes (quick oats only need 3–5 minutes in boiling water). Add a little honey and cinnamon and top with berries, banana and nuts. Even easier: overnight oats soaked in yoghurt or milk in a jar, which only need decorating in the morning.
6. A late brunch: spaghetti bolognese
If the celebration starts closer to noon, surprise her with pasta. Fry finely chopped onion and garlic, add 300 g of minced meat and cook for 5–7 minutes, then add tinned tomatoes or tomato paste, salt and Italian herbs and simmer for 15 minutes. Cook spaghetti al dente as the packet says, toss with the sauce and top with parmesan and basil.
How to set the tray
- Flowers. A single rose, a sprig of mimosa or a small bunch of tulips in a low vase is the centrepiece of a festive tray. Pick a spring bouquet in our tulip delivery section.
- A card. A few warm handwritten words. For ideas see our 8 March flower cards.
- Comfort. A tray with legs, napkins and nothing too crumbly or too hot, since it will be eaten in bed.
- The drink. Coffee, cocoa, tea or juice: the one she loves, not the easiest one to make.
FAQ
What can I make if I really cannot cook?
A fruit plate with yoghurt, croissants from a bakery and good coffee. Presentation and flowers are what matter most.
What time should I serve breakfast?
Do not wake her on purpose. Wait until she starts to stir, or serve at her usual waking time.
Can I order flowers for the morning?
Yes, order a bouquet in advance for morning delivery on 8 March, or pick it up the day before and keep it somewhere cool.
Complete the surprise with flowers: order a spring bouquet with flower delivery in Kyiv from UFL.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
