I spaced out and forgot to post a couple more sangria recipes to go with yesterday’s column. I hope you guys forgive me. Maybe those of you who can’t should try a few cups of one of these concoctions to soften the heart — and the inhibitions.

All of these recipes are taken or adapted from “101 Sangrias & Pitcher Drinks” by Kim Haasarud. I’ve done sangria in a big punch bowl for bridal showers and other parties before and it’s always a big success, especially when the weather is warm. It’s nice that you don’t have to use expensive wine; cheap wine is just as good. Bonus: You don’t have to mix drinks all night long.

Limoncello Fizzy Sangria
Serves about 12

1 bottle dry white wine
2 cups lemonade
1/2 cup limoncello liqueur
2 lemons, cut into wheels
2 oranges, cut into wheels
1 bottle semisweet sparkling wine
20 mint sprigs, for garnish
Lemon twists, for garnish

Combine wine, lemonade, limoncello, lemons and oranges in a large ceramic or glass container and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve over ice. Fill glasses halfway with sangria, then top with the sparkling wine and garnish with a mint sprig and a lemon twist.

(More recipes after the jump.)

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It’s less than two weeks before Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11), which means some of us need to start thinking about the best way to treat one of the special women in our lives.

As an adult, it’s fairly easy to send a card or flowers, call mom or take her out to a nice lunch or dinner. But as a child, it’s a little bit harder to plan a wonderful day for Mom without a little help from Dad or another adult.

And sometimes Dad might be a little short on ideas.

For that reason, I was delighted to receive an e-mail lately from the Fruit and Veggie Guru that included simple recipes for delicious breakfast treats that kids can prepare for their mother on Mother’s Day.

It makes me wish I had made breakfast in bed for my mother at least once.

I’m going to attach a recipe for strawberry breakfast pizzas. I’d love to hear from anyone out there who has a special food-related memory from Mother’s Day, whether you were on the giving or the receiving end!

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When I see a Nestle recipe card in the mail, my pulse always quickens just slightly. I know I’m no chocoholic, but their recipes are almost always worth the walk to the mailbox.
It was one of Nestle’s cards, after all, that taught me how to make Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberries. Now that’s a recipe that always wows friends and family.
This time, the Nestle folks offer up a recipe for a very unusual chocolate tart that is infused with the heady scent of rosemary. If you aren’t that adventurous, you may substitute fresh mint.
I’m betting it’s probably delicious either way.

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