Easter is just around the corner, and in light of the upcoming holiday, I have rounded up an Easter Guide with recipes that are perfect for the occasion.
Before we get to the recipes, I have something special for you! Remember that I mentioned I went on a trip with seven bloggers and Delta Faucet to Birmingham to visit with Southern Living Magazine? One of the highlights of the trip was a two hour flower arranging class at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. During the class we got to assemble our own floral arrangement, and I learned so many amazing tips that you could use to create an Easter bouquet.
We used Topaz Roses, Kiwi Hydrangeas, Orange Gerber Daisys, Tulips, Blossom Eucalyptus, and Trick Dianthus to create this arrangement.
- To keep tulips alive longer add a slash of vodka to the water, and add a copper penny to the vase to help them open up
- Tulips can grow up to 4 inches after they are cut
- After purchasing flowers, trim them cutting them underwater at 45 degree angle.
- Florist foam is a great way to structure your bouquet, but make sure you water the foam daily so that the center of the foam doesn’t dry out
- Trick Dianthus will look great for 3 weeks
Now that you have some tips for creating a centerpiece for your celebration – let’s get to the recipes! I have listed some brunch and dinner recipes below to help you plan your Easter menus.
If you are planning an Easter Brunch, I recommend serving some simple egg dishes along with some baked items. I like to serve brunch buffet style, so here are several easy to serve brunch recipes to add to your menu:
Prosciutto Egg Cups are a super simple no-fail two ingredient recipe. Serve on a bed of fresh arugula for a pretty presentation.
Mini Lemon Poppy Seed Scones are a great springy baked treat.
Cinnamon French Toast sticks will please both kids and adults.
Egg Casseroles are really easy to prepare and can incorporate your favorite vegetables.
Quiche is equally elegant and easy to prepare.
If you aren’t planning to feed a crowd, or if you want to serve something other than ham, here are some other options:
When I think of Easter, I think of lemon. It has a bright refreshing citrusy taste that seems fitting for the start of Spring. Lemon Parmesan Pasta is my favorite new vegetarian dish, and it is so good that even meat eaters will love it.
Lemon Sage Chicken is an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare. The chicken is poached in a butter and white wine sauce and seasoned with sage and lemon.
Chicken with a Mustard Sherry Sauce is a bit more formal, and it can be made in 30 minutes.
Need a side dish? Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes take basic mashed potatoes to the next level and would go well with
Looking for a fun beverage? Strawberry Mint Lemonade can be served as is, or with vodka to make a cocktail.
Need dessert?
Try a duo of pies! Banana Cream and Chocolate Caramel Pretzel are both delicious options.
Plus, Magnolia Bakery is offering several specials for Easter and Passover including cupcakes with Easter decorations, and mandel bread, matzo crunch, and flourless cakes for Passover.
Are you a Chicagoan without Easter plans? Last year Charles and I had a nearly deserted Eataly to ourselves on Easter. I am betting Shake Shack will be pretty empty too. Easter is one of those days when very few tourists are around, giving us locals a chance to be tourists in our own city.
Mary Beth
Sunday 29th of March 2015
off to the market to get me some Tulips! I forgot how much I adore them at this time of the year and there's no time to wait until they pop in my own garden.