Easter is upon us! This is a special time of year for many, requiring equally special meals to mark the occasion. Whether your family does Easter brunch, lunch or dinner, here are my picks for dishes to make your Easter memorable while stress free!
Lamb, Lamb, Lamb!
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Here in Australia, Easter Sunday is all about lamb. If you’re after a classic to be your centrepiece, try this Classic Roast Lamb Leg cooked perfectly so the inside is pink, juicy perfection. Served with gravy, of course!
Or enjoy the fall apart goodness of this super easy Oven Slow Roasted Lamb Leg, this even easier Slow Cooker Roast Lamb, or this very forgiving Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder. All these have gravies too!
For something a little different, try this ever popular Greek Sow Roasted Lamb Leg, cooked to tearable goodness in loads of garlic and lemon, or this ultra tender Slow Cooked Lamb Shawarma – it looks so spectacular piled high on a platter over couscous!
Baked Glazed Ham
I was interested to learn that in the States (and Canada??), Easter is all about the great baked ham! Australia’s ham season is Christmas, when half the meat section of supermarkets becomes loaded with giant ham legs.
Over the years, I’ve tried a handful of baked ham glazes but I always default back to my favourite, this Maple Glazed Ham. The subtle fragrance of maple syrup with all that caramelised sticky goodness is just da bomb! I also love how the ham juices make a perfect sauce to drizzle over the sliced ham.
The Chook
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Roast Chicken remains as a firm favourite in Australia for Easter Sunday. As I started pulling this list together, it dawned on me that my selection of recipes made using a whole chicken is sadly lacking. I should have more. I will have more!
Here’s what I do have: Classic Roast Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Herb Garlic Butter Roast Chicken (this is a roasted turkey breast recipe but halfway down the post you’ll see photos for the chicken version and directions in the recipe notes, this one is so good I plan to post it separately in the coming months) and Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken. For something a little different, try this Coconut Lemongrass Whole Roast Chicken (the coconut broth is incredible!) or Jamie Oliver’s famous Chicken in Milk (sounds weird, reads weird, tastes incredible).
Or if you’re after recipes for chicken pieces rather than a whole chicken, browse all my chicken recipes here.
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SEAFOOD / FISH
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I was going to call this section “Seafood”, then I realised I don’t have spectacular giant seafood platters or similar to be the centrepiece of your Easter table. MUST FIX!!!!
But I do have a handful of great fish centrepieces. My firm favourite that I keep pulling out time and time again for gatherings is this Parmesan Crusted Salmon with a Lemon Cream Sauce. Easy, can be made ahead, transports well, is even great served at room temp and that cream sauce is crazy good!
Also for Easter: Fish Pie (published last week, thumbs up from readers who have tried it), a big pile of freshly cooked prawns with a selection of Seafood Sauces, try this Salmon Gravlax for something real fancy at a fraction of the cost of buying (and it’s crazy easy!), or how about a warm and cosy Seafood Gratin Pasta Bake? Cost effective seafood option if you use a premixed seafood marinara mix.
Carby Sides
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Classic Favourites – Baked Mac and Cheese (be still my beating heart!), Julia Child’s Potato Dauphinois (better than scalloped potatoes because the sauce doesn’t go gluggy), Truly Crunchy Roast Potatoes (thank you Nigella), Garlic Bread (be extra generous with butter!) and the unexpectedly extremely popular Mushroom Rice. Oh! And I can’t forget these No Knead Dinner Rolls!
Effortless – Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake, Baked Mushroom Rice
Wow Factor – Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Mini Potato Gratin Stacks, Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks, Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Room Temp Sides – Mrs Brodie’s Famous Potato Salad, Macaroni Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad.
Click here to browse my entire Sides recipe collection.
Salads
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Firm Favourites – Roast Pumpkin Salad with Feta, Brussels Sprout Salad (this converted haters!) Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Iceberg Lettuce Dill Salad (iceberg lettuce never tasted so good), Coleslaw.
Wow Factor – Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette, San Fran Salad with Yoghurt Ranch Dressing (skip the chicken), Pig Out Salsa (named as such for obvious reasons).
Effortless – 12 minute Sun Dried Tomato Couscous Salad, Throw Together Rocket Beetroot Walnut Salad, any of these dressings with your salad of choice: Fresh Lemon Dressing (in the Couscous Salad), Honey Lemon Dressing, Honey Mustard, Italian Dressing, French Vinaigrette, Poppyseed, Maple Syrup Dressing.
All my salads here!
The Grande Finale
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Pictured above is my new “go to” Chocolate Cake which my friend Jo from Jo Cooks calls a “lazy ass cake” because it’s so crazy easy! It’s beautifully moist with a soft crumb, it truly tastes of chocolate (it’s surprising how many chocolate cakes don’t actually taste of chocolate) and there’s every possibility you have everything you need to make it right now.
Here is the Chocolate Cake recipe! PS I got the cute little furry chooks and speckled eggs to decorate the cake from Woolies.🐣🐣🐣
Here are some more suggestions for dessert – or browse my entire Dessert / Sweet Treats collection.
Things I have a soft spot for – Red Velvet Cake (it’s sooooo velvety!) Pavlova (so very Aussie!), Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Apple Crumble (always and forever), Apple Cake (the fragrance of the spices kills me every time), Salted Caramel Tart (the caramel filling is epic).
Show Stoppers – This Never Ending Meringue Tart is guaranteed to draw a round of applause when you present it (and unlike Pavs, you can make ahead), a Trifle is always a stunning looking centrepiece. My friends are obsessed with this Classic Baked Cheesecake with its high wall of biscuit crust, and if mangoes are in season where you are, try this stunning No Bake Mango Cheesecake! Also worthy of mention: Chocolate Cream Pie.
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And let’s not forget….HOT CROSS BUNS!!! Psst – I’ve included the classic kneaded recipe AND a no knead recipe, and yes there is a recipe video. 👍🏼
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Phew! That is a LOT of food. Hope there are some Easter recipes here to inspire you – it’s certainly given me some ideas for my own Easter Feasting menus which I hadn’t starting thinking about until right now, as I’m writing up this post.
Wishing you a Happy Easter filled with family, friends, laughter and lots of delicious food! – Nagi x
LIFE OF DOZER
Multiple choice – Dozer looks:
a) like he’s about to march in the Mardi Gras;
b) thoroughly in the spirit of Easter; or
c) completely humiliated.
PS Don’t worry, that’s a doggy friendly Easter Egg!
Haaa, Haaa, Dozer gets10/10!!!! Love it.2nd 10/10 goes to Chocolate cake, am sending photo to my sister + Dozers photo to make her laugher- she could do with laughter. THANK YOU KINDLY. Over all what a menu, spilled for choice as usually Nagi, it’s not only States, Canada having ham for Easter EUROPE TOO. They have full Australian XMAS MENU FOR EASTER.VERY FEW PARTS OF COUNTRY WOULD HAVE LAMB ANY GIVEN TIME. CURED PORK, SAUSEGES ARE PREPARED IN NOVEMBER DUE TO CLAIMET. ALSO THE MEAT WOULD BE AIR DRY UP, UP, IN MOUNTAINS THEN SMOKED WITH CERTAIN TYPE OF WOOD. EUROPE CLAIMET GOES HAND IN HAND WITH RELIGION BELIEVES- SPRING TIME EVERYTHING IS AWEKNING, LOTS OF BABY ANIMALS, CHERRY BLOOSOM, PUSSY WILLOW WHICH GOES IN HOUSE WITH DAFFADILS ETC.. ALSO WE HAVE EASTER TREE(MUST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN) and some country’s have decorations in windows . Am having all that staff from back home. EGGS ARE WORK OF ART, HAND PAINTED OR EVEN MADE WITH LACE( having that too). We have also special baking for Easter. But in past due to weather kids would have last of citrus fruit until Xmas. Ah wish you were bit closer to show you decorations , photos, receipts. Have Happy and SAFE EASTER.!
Europe does ham for Easter too??? Who knew! Thanks for that, I didn’t know! N xx
Dozer! You’re a TREAT…you handsome bunny, you!
Happy Easter!
😂 I TRIED telling him, he doesn’t seem to agree / care….
Loving all your recipes – they work every time loaded with flavour, bang on prep process. #joyallround not forgetting the poses of Dozer . Happy Easter to u and Dozer 🐣
Happy Easter to you and Dozer. Great post – lovely recipes. Have made your Hot Cross Buns again for the second year. Found out last year wasn’t just a fluke – they turned out just as good this year as well!! Thankyou for all your efforts to help us put yummy food on the table.
Hi Nagi, I love all your roasts as I can include them in my “Keto” menu with a couple of little changes like in the Coconut Pot Roasted Chicken I’ll have to forego the yummy looking potatoes at this stage and add some spinach or broccolini and your various Lamb Roasts I’ll try replacing the flour with arrowroot and serve with mashed cauliflower and whatever greens. I’m also going to try out “Duck Fat” as I have some in the fridge, but not used any as yet.
While I’m here I’d like to wish you and your family a happy, healthy and safe Easter. X X X X X
Oh yes, ham for Easter. AND for Christmas here too! And I even know quite a few people who throw in a ham along with their turkey for Thanksgiving!! We’re a ham loving bunch over here. Will be trying your delicious looking recipe this weekend.
lol thank you, look forward to it.
Have a great day 🙂
Sonia.
Pavlova (so very New Zealand thank you Nagi)
Actually we really enjoy your recipes so keep it up, Nagi! Aussie and New Zealand fare is, of course, very similar.
We are going to enjoy a Sous vide leg of lamb on Easter Sunday.
A very happy Easter Nagi and Dozer and Mama Recipe Tin and all the rest celebrating at your place. Fabulous post for those who do celebrate and especially those who like roasts : *smile* I don’t belong in either category but love the Lamb Shawarma and JO’s Chicken in Milk. ( Dozer: am glad there is not a mirror around . . . Mommy is just being funny!)
My first comment, all because Dozer looks soo regally awesome in his bunny ears, clutching his egg ! Such a Handsome Dude !! I’ve subscribed to you Nagi, for at least acouple years. ?? Love your site. Thanks for all you do. There’s so much to check out today, better get busy. Happy Easter weekend to you and yours.
Happy Easter Nagi and Dozer and your whole Family. Bring a smile to my face with every post – and inspire me to get the energy to cook more (I do now). Have a fabulous break.
Hi Nagi,
Am I blind or why is it I cannot see the Chocolate cake recipe on this page? The one with baby chicks around it?
It looks amazing and would love to try it.
Thanks 🙂
You’re not blind Sonia! I am literally pulling the recipe together now – publishing it early to get in before the shops close on Good Friday! N xx
I’ll wait before i head to the shops 😄
The video is taking me forever 😩 So I’ve written up the recipe first, here it is. Video and full post should be up in an hour or so! N x https://www.recipetineats.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Chocolate-Cake-RecipeTin-Eats.pdf
Happy Easter Nagi!
Thanks for the choices you’ve shared, I’ll be doing your lamb in the slow cooker and a small maple ham, though I’ve not been able to decide which sides will be on the table. Parm taters will be one for sure!
Dozer has that “look” on his face…so I’m going to guess, he’s tolerating but not cooperating! 🙂
Again, Happy Easter to you and yours!
First Dozer (beautiful boy) – and now to look at the recipes. 🙂 Happy Easter Nagi and Dozer. xx
So many to choose from!
Thank you for your fantastic ideas.
Happy Easter to you!
Thank you for the great recipes. Happy Easter to you and yours. Big Hugs for Dozer.
oh my GOD Nagi, you spoil us. Can I just come round and eat at your place? I live in the UK though so might take a while to get there 😛
Wow. It took all looks so yummy wish I was coming to your house for Easter dinner. Actually, for any dinner. Dozer looks like (d) Thoroughly disinterested and above it all. LOL. Happy Easter to you and Dozer.
Have a Happy Easter Nagi and Dozer..of course your Mom and family! I love your big Easter Bunny! Does he hop? Lol.
Loving your plentiful yummy selection of foods too..something for everyone. I go with ham for Easter and Christmas. I’m always looking for different ham glazes to try with no mustard in it. Although maybe dry mustard wouldn’t have that taste..just don’t like it..even now. I’m fussy! Lol.
What a plethora of great recipes!! I don’t know which one I’d pick! I love the salads and sides too. I was going pin crazy — and then the lightbulb lit up in the brain. Why don’t I just pin this post and all the rest of the pins would be in one place. Sometimes the lightbulb is on delay😳 Have a Happy Easter — Dozer’s ears are adorable. Sending hugs!
Happy Easter to you and Dozer, Nagi! Today’s post is an Easter Extravaganza! I’ll be making your lamb shanks in port for Easter. They are always much appreciated by everyone. Dozer looks very regal wearing rabbit ears! The things that dog does to humor you!!! He must love you very much!