“ Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love. ”
~ Craig Claiborne
If you’re looking for inspiration for a tasty and easy meal to share with your family this Easter I have some simple suggestions for you.
There’s a creamy Celery Soup for starters, followed by Slow Cooked Leg of Lamb with a Ruby Grapefruit and Asparagus Salad and Hasselback Potatoes, and Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter Pudding for dessert.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan I’ve added some tips and twists in for you too.
Then all you need are a few drinks, some family or friends, some music and some relaxation time. Easy!
Just click on the link to access each recipe.
Soup: Cream of Celery Soup Recipe This is a super-healthy and totally delicious soup that is also useful for boosting your immune system and warding off colds and flu bugs. It makes a lovely first course and is gluten-free and can easily be made as a vegan dish.
Note: If you couldn’t be bothered with a big meal or you’ve eaten too many Easter Eggs why not have some cheese, crackers and fruit as your first or last course and pair that with this soup. Make sure you have some good bread to go with the soup – you’ll find it tasty and satisfying.
Salad: Ruby Grapefruit and Asparagus Salad
This is a scrumptious and very pretty salad and the acidity of the grapefruit goes well with the richness of the lamb roast.
Vegetarian? Throw in some extra avocado and feta cheese, double the size of the salad and forget about the lamb roast. Make sure you have some yummy bread as an accompaniment. or grainy sourdough is a great choice for this salad.
Vegan? See tips for vegetarians and omit the feta cheese.
Carb Potatoes? Opera House Potatoes? Best Ever Baked Potato Recipe!
This potato recipe is a favourite in our household and I will often make them for special occasions or when friends come to visit (which is often for us because we are blessed with good friends and good neighbours). They are crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Main: Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Herbs and Red Wine
Easter and Lamb Roasts go hand in hand. This is a simple recipe – it takes little effort and the results are always a show-stopper. It’s a moist, flavour-filled, melt-in-your-mouth dish that is easy for beginner cooks. It’s almost impossible to stuff up. But you do need five hours of cooking time, and fifteen minutes prep, as well as fifteen to rest the roast after it has cooked. Totally worth the wait though!!!
Note: Sorry, vegetarians and vegans. If meat is not your thing I have no substitute for this one.
Dessert: Hot Cross Bun Bread And Butter Pudding
This pudding is made several times over the Easter period in our house, as it’s so simple and easy for feeding guests and we don’t seem to tire of it either! It’s a silky smooth bread pudding with a lightly spiced sweet custard – heavenly!
If you manage to have any as left-overs it is great eating cold as well. (We have been known to eat the leftovers with a big mug of tea or freshly brewed coffee as breakfast when we have had a late night at Bluesfest.)
Note: Choose gluten-free buns or bread it needed. You can also use your favourite type of non-dairy milk, a butter substitute, and if you need to be egg-free replace the eggs with one cup of applesauce.
I encourage you to give these recipes a try. Hopefully some of them will become an Easter Tradition in your household too.
Much love to you, ♥ Nicole xx