Not Sure What to Serve for Easter Dinner? Try These Delicious Easter Treats!

The Significance of Easter and Its Culinary Traditions

Easter is more than just a holiday; it's a celebration of life, renewal, and the arrival of spring. It's a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy the warmer weather, and indulge in delicious food. While some people may focus on new outfits or chocolate treats, for many, Easter is about spending quality time with family and friends over a great meal.

Interesting Easter Statistics

• Dining Out vs. Home Cooking: Despite the bustling restaurants on Easter, only 35% of Americans dine out for their Easter meal. This means a significant 65% prefer to cook at home or enjoy a meal prepared by relatives (Source).
• Easter Spending: In 2022, Americans spent an estimated $20.8 billion on Easter-related items, including food, clothing, and decorations (Source).

Traditional Easter Recipes

Appetizer: Crab Artichoke Dip

This Crab Artichoke Dip is a crowd-pleaser and a best-seller at my restaurant. It's rich, creamy, and perfect for starting your Easter feast.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 3/4 pound Dungeness crab
• 1 cup quartered artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup diced white onions
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons minced green onions
• 2 tablespoons minced red pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced celery
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. In a mixer, whip the cream cheese until soft but not airy.
2. Prepare the crab, artichoke hearts, onions, garlic, red pepper, celery, parsley, and cheeses.
3. Fold in the remaining ingredients, adding the cheeses last.
4. Refrigerate until ready to use.
5. Bake in a pre-heated 375°F oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned on top and bubbly around the edges.
6. Serve with thinly sliced French bread or artisan crackers.

Main Course: Apricot Glazed Ham

Ham is a traditional Easter main course, and this apricot-glazed version is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• One 5-pound old-fashioned smoked, boneless ham
• 1 cup apricot nectar
• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 1/2 cup orange marmalade
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Place the ham and apricot nectar in your roasting pan.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the preserves, marmalade, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Spread the mixture over the surface of the ham and loosely cover with foil.
5. Bake for 1 1/4 hours, basting with pan juices every 20 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
7. Slice the ham and serve with pan juices.

Side Dish: Scalloped Potatoes

These creamy scalloped potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to your Easter ham.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 8 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Ground allspice (optional)
• Fresh parsley, minced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Grease a shallow baking pan with melted butter.
3. Layer potato slices and onions, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Pour heavy cream over the potatoes and drizzle with remaining butter.
5. Bake for one hour or until the top is golden brown.
6. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Vegetable: Fresh Green Beans with Dill Butter

Simple yet flavorful, these green beans are a great addition to your Easter table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound green beans
• Dill Butter (or regular butter with salt and pepper)

Instructions

1. Wash and trim the green beans.
2. Blanch in boiling water for 3-4 minutes.
3. Drain and sauté in Dill Butter until heated through.
4. Serve immediately.

Dessert: Triple Chocolate and Vanilla Cheesecake

End your meal on a sweet note with this decadent cheesecake.

Crust Ingredients

• 4 1/2 ounces Oreo cookie crumbs
• 1/2 ounce melted butter

Crust Instructions

1. Combine Oreo crumbs and butter.
2. Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
3. Chill in the freezer.

Cheesecake Ingredients

• 2 pounds softened cream cheese
• 1/3 cup flour
• 14 ounces Eagle Brand condensed milk
• 7 whole eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 ounces melted chocolate chips

Cheesecake Instructions

1. Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
2. Add flour, condensed milk, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Pour half the batter into the crust.
4. Mix melted chocolate into the remaining batter and pour over the first layer.
5. Bake at 325°F for 40 minutes.
6. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.

Glaze Ingredients

• 4 ounces chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup whipping cream

Glaze Instructions

1. Melt chocolate chips and cream together.
2. Cool slightly and pour over the cheesecake.
3. Refrigerate until set.

Conclusion

Easter is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and delicious food. These recipes will help you create a memorable meal that everyone will enjoy. Happy Easter!

Enjoy your Easter recipes and the company of those you share them with! Cultivate the love!