Recipes! Spinach Pesto Pasta, Turkey and Pea Cottage Pie, Seed Cake and more

What to cook during the week ahead, from Post Food editors.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, as seemingly every TV, radio and podcast ad has reminded us for the past few weeks. I've been a mom for seven years and, truth be told, I'm still thinking about what that means and asking myself how I can be the kind of parent I want to be.

I'm also working on asking myself what I need to feel rested, appreciated and well-rounded, not just someone defined by parenthood (or work, for that matter). All the marketing out there will tell you that means spa days, breakfast in bed, jewelry and chocolate — not that I would turn any of that down! — but to me, self-care is also about making my everyday life easier when I can, and asking for help when I need it.

A lot of the weekly angst and chores revolve around what we'll be having for dinner. That's one reason I developed my Spinach Pesto Pasta, a family-friendly recipe that ticks a few boxes: It's a great way to incorporate more greens into my son's diet, it's fast and it's tasty. It makes double the pesto you need for one batch of pasta, so it's basically a gift to future me when I stash it in the freezer and know it will be waiting for my husband or me to pull out when we need a quick dinner.

Similarly, you can set yourself up for an elegant, speedy meal at the drop of a hat with Ellie Krieger's Seared Scallops With Creamy Herb Sauce. Make the puree of scallions, basil and parsley two days in advance, so that all you have to do to surprise someone with a restaurant-worthy meal is sear the scallops and serve them with a nice beverage.

Leftovers of Julia Turshen's Turkey and Pea Cottage Pie are the kind of thing you can chip away at throughout the week. Or make the mashed potato topping and hearty filling in advance, store separately and assemble right before baking, reheating and adding more liquid to the spuds as needed until they are spreadable.

Similarly, the Chole (Curried Brown Chickpeas) that Joe Yonan shared will only improve in flavor if you make it ahead of time. Ditto the Seed Cake, a mildly sweet loaf studded with caraway, that we featured from Eleanor Ford's cookbook "A Whisper of Cardamom."

If you're mulling what to serve the moms in your life this weekend, be sure to check out Anna Rodriguez's roundup of sweet treats, including scones, drinks and dessert. (The Brownie Scones in there get my seal of approval!) For more inspiration, have a look at a few other potential menus, as well as favorite recipes from our own moms.

Who else do you want to cook for, and how can we help you decide what to make? Aaron Hutcherson and I are ready to assist in our live weekly chat Wednesday at noon Eastern. The hour is sure to be a lively one, but feel free to submit your questions now.

Wishing a happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there and those of you celebrating your moms. And if you've lost your mom, or are grappling with a difficult relationship, I'm thinking of you, too.

Until next week, take care of yourself and eat well.