In celebration of fathers everywhere, families plan special meals and gifts lovingly hand-crafted to melt a father's heart faster than crushed ice in a cappuccino. Gathered here to honor that special man in your life are several Breakfast-in-Bed ideas from four top-ranked Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns. These inns have generously shared a favorite recipe for you to create at home.

If Young Children are Helping in the Kitchen

Once you've decided which of these tasty dishes you will prepare, important prep steps with younger children in the kitchen include:

• pre-measure everything
• fill small mixing bowls with ingredients
• lay out bowls in order of steps
• have separate stations set up for toppings, sauces and main ingredients
• clean up as you go

The choices for your father's day breakfast are as diverse as the fathers themselves, but these recipes clearly represent the flavors of Florida. Enjoy!

Citrus Pancakes with Mandarin Orange Sauce

from Chef Gary Douyliez, St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine

Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Sauce

• 1 15-oz can mandarin oranges in light syrup
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp frozen concentrated orange juice

Directions:

1. Heat oranges, juice, sugar and vanilla over med heat.
2. In small bowl, stir together cornstarch and water. When orange mixture comes to a boil, stir in cornstarch mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, till thick.

Ingredients for Citrus Pancakes

• 2 cups buttermilk pancake mix
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice
• 1/4 cup water
• zest from 1 orange

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Drop by spoonfuls on heated griddle. Flip once bubbles begin to break. Remove when bottom is browned and pancakes have puffed.

Frittata w/Sun-dried Tomatoes & Jalepeno Peppers

from Paul Hayes and Dean Carlson, innkeepers, The Mermaid & The Alligator, Key West

Ingredients for Frittata:

• 2 pkgs (1 lb. each) Extra sharp white cheddar cheese
• sun-dried tomatoes - enough to cover cheese
• 1 tsp diced jalapenos
• 1 tblsp jalapeno juice
• 6 cups liquid egg product (real eggs equiv. = 12 to 14)
• chopped fresh basil
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Shred cheese in food processor. Spray 2 quiche plates with nonstick coating and add one pkg. of shredded cheese to each dish. Drain oil from sun-dried tomatoes on paper towels and spread on top of cheese to mostly cover cheese. Sprinkle diced jalapenos around, then cover with chopped basil flakes, salt & pepper.
2. In lg. measuring bowl, whip liquid egg product and jalapeno juice to put air in this mixture. Pour mixture over cheese and tomoato in dish. Place on rack in middle position toward rear of oven.
3. Bake in preheated oven @ 350 degrees for 35-40 mins. This makes two pies for 18 people (or make one and freeze one). *Paul suggests serving this with Bloody Marys.

Miss Ona's Orange Juice Bread Loaf

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Amelia Island

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sweet butter
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teasp salt
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp orange peel
• 2 lg eggs
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1 tsp baking powder

Icing: 1 tblsp lemon juice, 1 tblsp orange juice, 1/3 cup confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Make one loaf. Cream butter w/sugar in lg. bowl. Beat eggs and add to creamed mixture. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Mix the orange juice and milk in separate bowl.
2. Add the liquids alternately with the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir the lemon and orange zest into the batter. Butter a loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan w/waxed paper and butter the paper. Smooth batter over the waxed paper and bake in preheated oven to 350 degrees for 45 mins or till bread springs back lightly when touched in the center.
3. Icing: combine lemon and oj w/sugar in small saucepan. Remove bread from oven. After 15 mins cool on side, remove wax paper. Drizzle icing on bread before serving. Orange juice bread is especially good for breakfast, or spread with thick butter for afternoon tea.

Diane's Frittatas

Mansion House Bed & Breakfast, St. Petersburg

Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup Mexican 4-cheese blend
• bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Spray 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray. Coat with bread crumbs. Add one cup of whatever you'd like, for example: ham, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, cooked bacon, onions, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or any other veggies you have on hand. Top with cheese blend, then add egg, milk and sour cream blend.
2. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Bake @ 350 degrees for 55-60 mins. or until golden brown. Serves 5 people.

A great big "Thank you" goes out to the innkeepers and chefs from these lovely Florida Bed & Breakfasts for sharing their recipes to enrich our special occasions.