10 Tips To Help Make Sure You Have A Happy Easter

There’s nothing better than having delicious wholesome food over the Easter period. Lots of families get together at this time of year, so why not try making a fusion of classic Easter dishes and some new and different styles of recipes. Check out these cooking tips to help make sure you have a happy Easter.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns were basically made for Easter — no ifs, and, or, buts about it. They taste great with a cup of tea, or even better with some warm milk.

Ingredients

Produce

1 cup Raisins

Refrigerated

2 Eggs, large

Baking & Spices

1 cup 150g dark chocolate
3 tsp Cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp Cloves
500 g Flour
5 tbsp Flour
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 pinch Salt
100 g Sugar
1/2 cup Sugar
20 g Yeast, dry

Dairy

50 g Butter
250 ml Full cream milk

Liquids

11 tbsp Water

Sweet and Sticky Apricot-Glazed Ham

Sweet and sticky is just the way we like it, especially when we’re talking about ham. This meat goes well with lightly crushed buttery new potatoes, or crispy roasted potatoes.

Ingredients

Gluten free

∙ Serves 12

Meat

1 (8- to 10-lb.) fully cooked bone-in smoked half ham, fully cooked bone-in smoked half

Condiments

1 cup Apricot jam
1/2 cup Dijon mustard

Baking & Spices

1 cup Brown sugar, packed

Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables / Salad

Roast carrots, radishes, and baby potatoes with fresh thyme for an earthy side dish. This salad is ideal with fish or makes for a nice side dish with a tart or quiche.

Ingredients

Vegan, Gluten free

∙ Serves 4-6

Produce

1 bunch Baby carrots
3 cups Baby spinach
2 cups Butternut squash
1/3 cup Cilantro
2 Garlic Cloves
1 Green onion
1/3 cup Italian flat leaf parsley
1 cup Radicchio, leaves
1 Red chilli, small fresh
1 Red onion, small
1 Sweet potato
2 Yellow potatoes

Baking & Spices

2 Kosher salt

Oils & Vinegar

3/8 cup Olive oil, extra-virgin
2 tbsp Red wine vinegar

Spice-Roasted Carrots

The chopped pistachios give these tender veggies extra crunch — and delicious salty flavour. These taste great with chicken or as part of a healthy vegetable mix.

Ingredients

Vegetarian, Gluten-free

∙ Serves 4-6

Produce

1 tsp Aleppo pepper
2 lbs Carrots
1/2 Lemon, Juice of
2 Red bell peppers

Baking & Spices

1/2 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
2 Kosher salt
1/2 tsp Paprika, smoked
1/4 tsp Red pepper

Oils & Vinegar

4 tbsp Olive oil, extra-virgin

Nuts & Seeds

1 tsp Cumin seed, whole

Dairy

1/2 lb Feta cheese

Vanilla Blossom Cake

Who needs a floral centrepiece when you have this stunning cake?! A simple slice is all you need.

Ingredients

Serves 16

Refrigerated

6 Eggs, large

Baking & Spices

4 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
4 tsp Baking powder
1 lb Confectioners’ sugar
2 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
3/4 tsp Kosher salt
4 tsp Vanilla, pure

Oils & Vinegar

1 Oil

Dairy

2 1/2 cup Butter, unsalted
2 tbsp Heavy cream
2 1/4 cup Whole milk

Other

Edible flowers, for decorating

Lemony Herb Roast Chicken

Thanks to a little lemon zest and thyme, this roast chicken recipe makes your kitchen smell like heaven. Have your chicken with some fluffy white rice or with a seasoned pasta dish.

Ingredients

∙ Serves 4-6

Meat

1 Chicken, approximately 2kg, large

Produce

4 Garlic Cloves
1 Lemon, zest of
2 Lemons

Canned Goods

450 ml Chicken stock, fresh

Baking & Spices

1 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground

Dairy

30 g Butter
150 g Goats’ cheese, soft

Beer, Wine & Liquor

100 ml White wine

Other

½ x 20g pack tarragon leaves chopped, plus extra to serve

Spicy Sesame Sugar Snaps

Sesame oil and red chiles bring a burst of flavour to these snap peas. These taste great mixed in with broccoli, served with fish such as salmon, or simply just to eat on their own as a crunchy snack.

Ingredients

Vegan, Gluten free

∙ Serves 4

Produce

3 cloves Garlic
1 Parsley
1 Red chile pepper, small
1 lb Sugar snap peas

Oils & Vinegar

2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
2 tbsp Sesame oil, toasted

Deviled Chicks

Does it get any cuter than this? Even kids won’t be able to resist these deviled eggs once you turn them into little critters.

Ingredients

∙ Serves 10

Produce

2 Carrot, large

Refrigerated

10 Eggs, Hard

Condiments

2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp Mayo, full fat
1 tsp Pickle, Juice

Baking & Spices

20 Peppercorns
1 Salt & pepper

Other

Piping Bag/Heavy Duty Sandwich Bag
Tweezers

Herb Crusted & Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Mint Gremolata

Don’t think you like lamb? Bet you haven’t tried it stuffed with garlic and herbs. Serve this with chunky and thick home made fresh chips and some sauces on the side.

Ingredients

∙ Serves 6

Meat

3 1/2 lb Leg of lamb, boneless

Produce

10 cloves Garlic
1 Garlic clove
1 cup Herbs, fresh
1 1/3 cup Italian parsley
2 tbsp Lemon, zest
1/3 cup Mint, leaves
2 tbsp Onion or shallot

Condiments

1 tbsp Capers
1 tbsp Lemon juice

Baking & Spices

1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 Pepper, cracked
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Salt and pepper
1 Salt if necessary

Oils & Vinegar

9 tbsp Olive oil
1 Olive oil to coat

Other

6-8 Cups variety of chopped root veggies – potatoes, carrots, celery, parsnips, sunchokes, leeks, onion, garlic cloves

Pavlova with Strawberries and Rhubarb

If you’ve never made pavlova before, Easter is the time to do it. Just imagine how gorgeous this berry-topped version will look on your tablescape. Enjoy a generous portion of this heavenly dessert with a glass of your favourite wine.