Best Mother's Day Brunch Recipes From A Local OC Chef

People want to do something special for mom on Mother's Day, and they should. There are various different ways to celebrate with your mom, but why not put a personal spin on it? One way to treat your mom is to prepare a nice meal for her (and clean up afterward). Peter Serantoni of Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea provides three recipes that your mother will love, particularly since they were prepared with love.

Mahi Mahi
 

• 1 1/2 lbs fresh mahi mahi
• 2 oz olive oil
• 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tsp Kosher salt

 
Lemon Vinaigrette

• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 2 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp champagne vinegar
• 3 1/2 oz shallots, minced
• 1 Tbsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 5 oz olive oil
• 4 Tbsp freshly-chopped Italian parsley

 
Directions:

1. In a stainless steel bowl, combine the shallots, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar, sugar and salt; let stand 10 minutes.
2. Add the parsley and oil to the bowl and let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper.
5. Heat the olive oil in a pan.
6. Saute the fish until golden brown.
7. Flip the fish over, place in a pan and bake in the oven for approximately four minutes (depending on the thickness).
8. Remove the fish from the oven.
9. Place the fish on a plate and spoon the vinaigrette on and around the fish.

Related: Best Mother's Day Brunches In OC

Traditional Flan (serves 5)

Traditional Flan
(serves 5)

• 1 vanilla bean
• 7 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 25 oz evaporated milk
• 5 oz cream cheese
• 3 oz granulated sugar
• 4 eggs

 
Directions:

1. Preheat a non-convection oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove the vanilla bean from the pod.
3. Blend the vanilla bean, condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream cheese in a blender until smooth.
4. Beat the 3 oz sugar with the eggs until combined and smooth.
5. Cook the water and sugar until golden brown and add 1-1/2 Tbsp to each ramekin.
6. Cook for 30 minutes, turning the tray every 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Allow to cool completely.
8. Serve with whipped cream.

Cha Cha's Signature Margarita
 

• 1 1/2 oz silver tequila (Siete Leguas is recommended)
• 1/4 oz St. Germain liqueur
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/4 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 oz fresh ruby grapefruit juice
• Pinch salt
• 2 oz Izze grapefruit soda

 
Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the first five ingredients to the shaker and shake well.
3. Strain the drink into a glass filled with ice.
4. Add a pinch of salt.
5. Top with the grapefruit soda.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

 
Related: Best OC Restaurants For Margaritas