Food & Drink

New Takes on Traditional Easter Foods

Ham may be your go-to Easter delicacy, but you can spice up all your Easter meals with these recipes.

By Gentrix ShangaPublished:

Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

Are you serving an Easter brunch or breakfast? These deviled eggs are a must-have. Mixing the yolks with some bacon is an excellent twist we've got to try. You'll need:  

  • 12 eggs

  • ½ cup of mayonnaise

  • 4 slices bacon

  • 2 tbsp finely shredded cheddar cheese

  • 1 tbsp mustard

Full recipe at: allrecipes.com

Chicken and Potatoes and Asparagus

Instead of everyone fighting over that prime piece of turkey, make these roasted chicken breasts that will guarantee everyone gets a delicious meal. This is what you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, halved, or boiling potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

  • 10 cloves garlic

  • 3 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil

  • Salt

  • 4 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds in all)

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • Fresh-ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 4 pieces

  • 1 pound asparagus, tough ends snapped off and discarded, spears cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (from about 1/2 lemon)

Full recipe at: foodandwine.com 

Crispy, Creamy Potato Puffs

These Chilean-inspired potato puffs, or “papas duquesas,” are a cross between mashed potatoes and french fries. Make a double batch, because the kids will gobble these up fast! The ingredients include:

  • 2 ¼ pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

  • Salt

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk

  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Full recipe at: foodandwine.com 

Ham Steak

This steak-flavored twist on the traditional ham is topped with sweet pea-leek pan sauce. It only takes 20 minutes to cook, which should give you plenty of time to actually talk to your guests. You will need:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Four 1/4-inch-thick slices of ham (1 pound)

  • 1 leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced

  • One 10-ounce bag frozen peas, thawed

  • 3 tablespoons chopped tarragon

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

Full recipe at: Foodandwine.com 

Easter Breakfast Casserole

Perfect way to start off your Easter, and it won't require you spending the whole morning in the kitchen. You might even want to sneak in some extra veggies, like spinach or asparagus. The ingredients are as follows:

  • 1 pound bacon

  • ¼ cup diced onions

  • ¼ cup diced green bell peppers

  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 8 eggs

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

Full recipe at: allrecipes.com

Sweet-Hot Plum-Glazed Ham

Still want to make that traditional ham for your family? How about doing it with this awesome glaze by adding some plums, orange juice and honey.  You'll need: 

  • 1 cup plum preserves

  • 1/2 cup orange juice

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

  • 1 (7-lb.) smoked fully cooked, bone-in ham

  • Garnishes: pineapple, kiwifruit, green onions, black sesame seeds

Full recipe at: Myrecipes.com 

Roasted Lamb

Another Easter staple, but this marinade of lemon, oregano, salt and pepper, garlic cloves and olive oil…will have everyone's mouth watering! What you'll need: 

  • 1 (5-lb.) boneless leg of lamb

  • 2 lemons, halved and divided

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 teaspoons pepper

  • Kitchen string

  • 1 garlic bulb, unpeeled

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

  • Garnishes: roasted garlic cloves, baby carrots, radishes, lettuce leaves

Full recipe at: myrecipes.com

English Hot Cross Buns

Love hot-cross buns, but your favorite bakery sells out fast? They can be made at home, and you can make them with extra cinnamon or frosting if you want! What you'll need: 

  • 2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast

  • 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)

  • 1 cup warm milk (100° to 110°)

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 cup raisins

  • Sugar Glaze

Full recipe at: Southernliving.com

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