When one thinks of a 'Girls Night Out' the idea is usually an evening out with one's best girlfriends. That was the original theme and intention of this column.

But a fun, relaxing evening with the girls doesn't have to just be about hanging out with friends … especially with Mother's Day right around the corner.

That's right; hanging out with mom makes a great Girls Night Out, not to mention a thoughtful gift that anyone's mom is sure to love.

So this month, I'll spare you the rundown of girlie-themed things to do. Especially since a lot them are mentioned in Richmond.com's Mother's Day Events Guide. Instead, I suggest you schedule some much-needed QT with mom to celebrate her this Mother's Day.

Making a date to take her to a Mother's Day event is a great way to celebrate her, but for this month's Girls Night Out I suggest something even simpler. Host your mom at your house with a terrific Mother's Day champagne brunch. She's sure to appreciate the gesture and the champagne part will give the day a celebratory upscale theme.

And Richmond.com even has you covered on the menu.

Seven Hills Market, South Richmond's favorite caterer, has an inventive take on a breakfast classic. Its Banana Surprise French Toast is a delicious and surprisingly easy to make breakfast treat that mom is sure to love. This recipe is so quick and easy that it'll keep you out of the kitchen and allow you just that much more time to spend with mom.

And that's a gift your mom is sure to treasure.

Banana Surprise French Toast

INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf challa bread
2 to 4 bananas
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp banana extract (or to taste)
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
Butter for pan
Pancake syrup
Nutella

DIRECTIONS:
Prepare bread by piercing it lengthwise with a thin knife. Insert banana (you can also cut the loaf in half and do this step in two stages). Don't make the hole too big, or the banana will be loose within the slices. Slice bread in 3/4 inch slices.

Mix half and half, sugar, spices and extracts. Blend. Add eggs, blend (if you add cinnamon to eggs first it clumps).

Dip sliced bread in egg, sauté in a generous amount of butter. If you prefer, soak the bread thoroughly, but handle with care because the bread is delicate when soaked. Plan on extra cooking time for soaked slices.

Serve with syrup or, for more luxury, warmed Nutella. Extra sliced banana on top is a nice touch if desired.

w And don't forget, call on Seven Hills Market for all your catering needs. Seven Hills Market, 3516 Forest Hill Ave., (804) 233-7445