March 25th, 2016

Easter Entertaining

By now, you might be furiously getting ready for your Easter dinner.

Perhaps you’ve got your spiral ham ready – did you Google “how to cook a spiral ham?” I’m not saying I did that or anything, just wondering if you did.

Easter Entertaining

If you are preparing an Easter feast, what did you decide on? I showed you my pretty incredible Easter dinner menu and I’m really excited to sit down and eat it. I’ve been dreaming about it, actually.

But I’ve got to cook it first.

And that’s the tricky part about Easter entertaining. Cooking the meal and serving it while hosting and entertaining can be a slippery task. You want to visit and make everyone feel welcome, but you’ve got to get that food on the table, too.

It’s tough.

But if we prepare as much as we can beforehand and try to eliminate the actual mixing and chopping and prep work while guests are here it makes everything run smoother. You can even purchase a heat and serve ham so you can spend more time with your guests.

The night before the big event, refrigerate as many items as possible in the containers they will be cooked in. Then, on Easter you just need to pop them in the oven. The food will still taste fresh out of the oven – because it will be!

You just did the hard part the day before.

See, these are things Grandma doesn’t tell you. Tricks of the trade, if you will. I remember my grandmother being in the kitchen every holiday for hours and hours. And we missed her. I don’t want to hide away cooking this Easter. I want to see and be seen. And I think the people around my table want that, too.

So make it pleasant for yourself and your guests by being present. That spiral ham will taste that much better if you aren’t a harried mess when you sit down to eat it. And everyone will share in the stressless day.


March 30th, 2015

Easter Brunch Ideas

Easter Brunch Ideas

Are you a brunch person? Will you be serving a brunch this Easter?

We all know brunch is a breakfast/lunch hybrid that’s served usually mid-morning to around 2 pm. But what you serve is entirely up to you!

One thing that MUST be on my Easter brunch table is a spiral sliced ham. No question.

Spiral ham is just so agreeable. It fits in nicely as a breakfast option but serves just as well at lunch or dinnertime. Thanks, ham!

If its brunch time I always set out lots of fruit – blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, apples, melons, you name it!

Not only is fruit light and a wonderful accompaniment, it’s just so colorful and pleasing to the eye!

A quiche is a great option to serve alongside your ham as well. We like egg, cheese and bacon in ours, but have fun experimenting with recipes you like.

If you go the brunch route, what will you be serving at your special Easter brunch?

 


March 14th, 2014

Complete Easter Dinner Ideas

Complete Easter Dinner

Easter dinner is right around the corner. And it’s one of those meals that requires a bit of preparation to pull it off.

But it doesn’t HAVE to be formal. Or it can be. You get to choose what kind of holiday you want to have.

Here are some fantastic ideas for Easter meals that range from “easy afternoon” (think sandwiches) and “make-ahead casual” (shrimp cocktail, anyone?) to formal ham dinners, Southern lunch and even an Easter breakfast buffet!

With all these complete Easter Dinner choices you’re bound to find a menu that fits your family, your taste and your mood.

Above all, make it memorable – whatever that means for you. Isn’t that what holidays are all about?

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.


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