Easter Menu 2022

Easter is just one week away! If you’re anything like me I keep losing track of time. These holidays have really been sneaking up! Nevertheless, with just a week away, there’s still time to plan your Easter Menu. Let me help you get started!

Appetizers – Cheeseboard

Even though my family eats a relatively early Easter dinner snacks are always on the menu. Who doesn’t love a good cheeseboard/appetizer/snack plate situation? Boards are a great way to have small snacks that will tide you over to the actual meal. As a dietitian I teach mindfulness as it relates to food, so my encouragement is to serve yourself a plate and walk away from the board – it’s just too easy to sit and mindlessly munch. Plus, this will help save room for the actual dinner.

Sides – Hard-Boiled Eggs

Over the years I’ve been working on perfecting my hard-boiled egg recipe. I think my Aunt Polly would be proud at the outcome, even if there isn’t relish involved. And while we may have been missing out over the last few years, I know this recipe is a ‘keeper’ for all our holiday gatherings. Only problem? It’s hard to eat just one!

Sides – Blue Cheese Pear Pecan Salad

File this under the ‘not so popular opinion’: salads should be included at your next holiday gathering. I hear what you’re saying and thinking. It’s understandable that vegetables are not the star of the show. However, if there is an assortment of vegetables on the menu, people will eat them. Yes, I’m a dietitian that encourages you to eat your vegetables. And yes, I’m also a dietitian that encourages you to eat your normal holiday traditional dishes. While both are equally important, I do encourage you to continue creating new traditions. May vegetables be a part of the menu!

Sides – Roasted Carrots

Carrots are a must at any gathering IMO. This recipe has a garlic infused oil that I used to toast the walnuts with. If you think that flavor is a bit too much with all the other flavors on your menu, simply roast the carrots and add the goat cheese. Although I’m slightly biased and do believe this recipe is a stand-out recipe and deserves to be featured in all its glory. However, you do you and prepare how you think they’ll best be enjoyed.

Sides – Melting Potatoes

Out of all my potato recipes you really can’t go wrong. Twice-Baked potatoes are always my tried and true. Not to mention they’re actually super simple to make. The rosemary parmesan potato stacks are quite impressive, but once again if you’re worried about too many different flavors going on, you might want to opt for more basic. Enter these melting potatoes. They’re perfection in a bite. Creamy deliciousness. The oven does need to get to a really high temperature and they take a bit of time to cook, so if you’re busy cooking a ham and don’t have room in the oven or have the time, go with the twice-baked potatoes. You can make those ahead and simply reheat. Potatoes on the menu in whatever form is always a good choice.

Main – Glazed Ham

Growing up as a kid, ham was the main dish served on our Easter menu. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy ham throughout the years. However, as I transitioned to eating less meat, ham was definitely not one that I missed. Whether you’re making a brown-sugar glaze or want to try something new and fancy – I’ve seen a Dr. Pepper Pineapple glazed version surfacing this year – always make sure to have some leftovers. Ham sandwiches, casseroles, quiche, you name it, there’s always a way to re-purpose those leftovers. Less food waste and a new version of the original, it’ll be gone in no time!

Dessert – Carrot Cake

Ingredients to include or not include in carrot cake are highly debated: walnuts vs pecans vs no nuts; pineapple or no pineapple; coconut or no coconut; raisins or no raisins; you see what I mean? Let’s just say it’s highly personal. Nevertheless this single layer carrot cake is a must make. Grated carrot curls are optional but cream cheese frosting is not. No debating there.

Wishing you a very Happy Easter or Passover. May you be able to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. And your menu? Hopefully you’re inspired to make one of my dishes to serve on your table. Please let me know if you do!