I bet when your Christmas entertaining was over, you didn’t dream that Easter would come around so fast! Just when you’d recovered from all the plotting and planning of menus, delegating who will cook what, making sure you have access to all the necessary ingredients including that special gluten-free, egg-free pasta that your dear Aunty Agnes can’t live without.
For anyone in charge of magically bringing together a family feast, we feel you, and we know it’s probably easier to climb Table Mountain on a windy Cape Town day, but as the old saying goes ‘someone’s got to do it’.
We’ve taken the trouble out of your planning and below you’ll find a host of delicious ideas just waiting to be brought to life in your kitchen.
Move over Martha Stewart!
Starters and nibbles
To whet the appetite – offer a selection of platters of where everyone can help themselves or if you prefer a more formal affair, plate individual dishes for each person.
Bruschetta with brown mushrooms, peppers and coriander pesto
Goat’s cheese puffs with thyme salt
Camembert with caramelised figs
Mains
Lamb is the traditional Easter meat but we’ve included some chicken and also a true SA favourite – pickled fish. We’ve also got some plant-based options should your guests be of the vegetarian variety.
Roast garlic, thyme and oregano lamb
Braai leg of lamb with chimichurri sauce, pomegranates and cauliflower and zucchini puree
Apricot, origanum and garlic braised lamb shanks
Vegetarian
Brinjal stacks with couscous and pesto
Potato and vegetable torte
Roast butternut and Swiss chard barley risotto
Side dishes
We’ve said it before and we’ll happily say it again… your side dishes can make or break a meal so pick them wisely and don’t treat them as an accessory (or worse – cook them listlessly).
Pumpkin, sweet potato and pear bake
Roast vegetables with tahini-yoghurt drizzle
Grilled potato, corn and green beans with pesto dressing
Dessert department
During Easter, there’s no such thing as over the top so the more indulgent and drool-worthy you go, the better! Check out these sweet treats that will make your heart skip a beat.
Hot cross bun ice cream
Chocolate Easter egg surprise cake
Amarula and orange malva pudding-filled eggs
Chocolate marshmallow Easter egg fridge bars
See you next week when you’ve recovered from your food coma!
Tessa