After a year of lockdown and social distancing, this year’s Easter is more than one of the most important Christian holidays. It will hopefully mark rebirth and new beginnings, so you shouldn’t let it pass unnoticed. And what better way to celebrate than with a three-course lunch or dinner? Here are a few Easter recipe ideas to get you inspired.
EASTER RECIPE IDEAS – STARTERS
PIZZA RUSTICA
Start off your Easter with an Italian delight. Pizza Rustica is similar to quiche and can be made with puff pastry or shortbread crust. Traditionally eaten the day after Easter in Italy, the filling consists of whisked eggs, sour cream, grated cheese, and an assortment of bacon, sausages, or veggies, depending on your preference. Cut it in slices and serve it warm for starters.
CLASSIC DEVILLED EGGS
Eggs are synonymous with Easter, but you who said that you could only have the chocolate kind? Classic devilled eggs are a timeless contender and one of the easiest starters to make. The secret to delicious devilled eggs is mustard – add a bit of yellow and Dijon mustard to the mayo before mixing it with the other ingredients. You should also add a dash of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt to the water in the pot whilst boiling the eggs.
ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP
Tasting of spring asparagus cream soup is an easily adaptable recipe that can suit all kinds of dietary requirements. It is a delicious choice if you lead a vegan lifestyle or if you’d rather avoid meat for starters to ensure your lamb is the star of the party. All you need is a saucepan, a handful of ingredients, and around 15 minutes of your time for prepping. Whilst fast and easy to make, rest assured the result is exquisite.
SPRING SHARING BOARD
Versatile and delicious, a spring sharing board is another nice idea for a light starter. Like pizza Rustica, it can be made in a variety of ways. No matter what you decide to serve, remember that it should contain at least a few sliced veggies, such as carrots and spring onions, and a couple of dips, such as hummus or pea and artichoke dip. Apart from this, you can mix and match a variety of cold meats, cheese, hardboiled eggs, tofu, and olives.
EASTER RECIPE IDEAS – MAINS
5. ONE-PAN EASTER LAMB
Lamb is an Easter staple, but you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to cook an overly complicated meal. Cooked in just one pan, this Easter lamb recipe boasts a prep time of only 20 minutes and is as delicious as a meal cooked by a Michelin-starred chef. Pair it with roast potatoes and a glass of Cabernet or Merlot.
P.S. Why not serve up some yorkshire puddings too? We think they go with any roast.
PINEAPPLE GLAZED HAM
Looking for an alternative to the traditional lamb? This pineapple glazed ham has a tropical hint and is perfect for a spring celebration. It can replace the lamb at the Easter dinner, and the leftovers are perfect for making delicious sandwiches. Serve it with a fresh lettuce and tomato salad and a glass of white wine.
KETO PORK CHOPS
Easter on a diet? Have some keto pork chops. Complete with a mushroom cream sauce, this recipe only requires a pan and comes together in under an hour. You don’t even have to worry about cooking a side, although you could pair it with sautéed spinach or veggies for a heartier meal.
SCALLOPED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS
These scalloped Portobello mushrooms can be a delicious side or a vegan-friendly main. No matter how you decide to serve it, it can surely wow everyone around the table. Creamy and flavourful, it pairs with lamb, roast ham, but also with other veggie sides if you want to serve it as a main dish. If you decide to serve it as a main, pair it with an ice-chill white wine.
EASTER RECIPE IDEAS – DESSERTS
GOOEY CHOCOLATE ORANGE PUDDING WITH CREAM EGG
Like lamb, Cream eggs are a staple of Easter, so why not transform them into something even more delicious? Spicy and sweet yet reminding of spring, this chocolate orange pudding with Cream egg core combines a variety of beloved flavours in a surprising dessert. Looking fantastic yet incredibly easy to make, it can satisfy children and adults alike.
EASTER FRUIT SALAD
For those moments when you’re too full after the main but would still fancy some dessert, go for a fresh fruit salad, paired with either vanilla ice cream or a generous helping of whipped cream. The beauty of fruit salads is that you can make them as light or as decadent as you like, and they can suit all dietary requirements. If you lack ideas, here’s a fruit salad recipe to try this Easter.
EASTER RECIPE IDEAS – DRINKS
11. HOT CROSS BUN SPICED GIN
Looking for the perfect Easter drink? Surprise your family with a glass of hot cross bun spiced gin. You can sip it on its own or mix with other drinks for a special gin cocktail. Make it a couple of day before Easter for the best results; the open bottle will keep for up to a month.
12. COTTONTAIL MARTINI
The cottontail Martini is another Easter-themed drink to serve after dinner. Based on whipped vodka – a type of whipped cream flavoured vodka readily available in most supermarkets – and coconut rum, it has a whitish colour and a fresh yet sweet taste that reminds of spring. Garnish with coconut flakes and marshmallows for an eye-catchy effect.
13. EASTER EGG MOCKTAIL
Whether you want to stay sober or look for a kid-friendly drink, the Easter egg mocktail will surely look fantastic on your table. Just blend a bit of chocolate milk with some salted caramel ice cream. Served= in a chocolate Easter egg, topped with whipped cream and mini eggs. It can easily replace dessert, or opt for Martini glasses if you want to make it look fancier. For an adult version, add a shot of Baileys!
With so many options, we hope you’re now inspired for creating a Michelin-starred Easter menu. But if you don’t feel like cooking, why not help a local business and order a restaurant-quality Easter lunch or dinner? Many restaurants offer complimentary delivery, and you’ll be able to just sit back, relax, and sip your favourite drink without worrying about cooking a meal.
Roast ham photo created by rawpixel.com – www.freepik.com
Roast Lamb Photo by Rumman Amin on Unsplash