With Easter about a week away, we know preparations have already been underway to make this holiday memorable for your loved ones. After you hide the last few colored eggs around the house and place the final rabbit-themed decor piece on the mantel, clean off your pots and baking dishes to prepare these five traditional easter recipes that always rise to the occasion!
Classic Deviled Eggs and Smoked Salmon
Delight your guests with classic deviled eggs and smoked salmon – a timeless Easter favorite! Creamy yolks mixed with flavorful mayo and mustard piped into delicate egg whites and topped with smoked salmon and Italian parsley make for a delectable appetizer.
Ingredients: (Serves 6 people)
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- 2 oz smoked salmon, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh Italian parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Slice the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the yolks.
- In a bowl, mash the egg yolks with a fork.
- Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill to the mashed yolks. Mix until well combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon or pipe the egg mixture back into the egg white halves.
- Garnish each deviled egg with small sliced triangles of smoked salmon and a sprig of fresh Italian parsley, if desired. It should resemble a carrot (see image above).
- Serve chilled.
Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
Welcome the arrival of spring with sweet pea and mint soup. With flavorful green peas blended with fresh mint and creamy coconut milk, this soup is light, colorful, and a beautiful addition to any Easter menu!
Ingredients: (Serves 4-6 people)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Coconut cream and fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add the green peas and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the peas are tender.
- Stir in the fresh mint leaves and coconut milk, and continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to cool slightly.
- Using a blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with a swirl of coconut cream and a few fresh mint leaves.
Serve warm.
Garlic Rosemary Roasted Lamb
Impress your guests with a mouthwatering, garlic rosemary roasted lamb as the centerpiece of your dinner table. Many people make this dish for traditional Easter meals because of its symbolic connection to the Christian faith. Whether served with roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes, it’s a luxurious addition to your Easter plate.
Ingredients: (Serves 6-8 people)
- 1 leg of lamb (about 4-5 pounds)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to form a paste.
- Place the leg of lamb in a roasting pan or baking dish.
- Rub the garlic and rosemary paste all over the lamb and coat it evenly.
- Roast the lamb in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness (about 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare).
- Remove the lamb from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapples and Cloves
Indulge in the sweet and savory flavors of a honey-glazed ham this Easter. This centerpiece is a popular crowd-pleaser every year! While the custom of eating lamb for this special holiday is still prevalent worldwide, in the U.S., ham as the main entree gained popularity in the 1940s, when the need to use wool for fabric waned, causing more farmers to raise hogs instead.
Ingredients: (Serves 10-12 people)
- 1 pre-cooked ham (about 5-7 pounds)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Whole cloves (optional for decoration)
- Pineapple slices (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Score the surface of the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. Then, insert whole cloves into the center of each diamond.
- Mix the honey, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl to make the glaze.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush the glaze generously over the surface of the ham, reserving some glaze for basting.
- Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for about 1 hour.
- Remove the foil, baste the ham with the remaining glaze, and continue baking for 30 minutes or until the ham is heated through and caramelized on the outside.
- If desired, garnish the ham with pineapple slices for serving.
Carrot & Zucchini Cupcakes
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a themed dessert that will delight your tastebuds! These cupcakes, made with grated carrot & zucchini, warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger), and a generous helping of cream cheese frosting, are the perfect dessert to celebrate Easter. Garnish with chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) or shredded coconut for added texture and crunch.
🍽️ The secret ingredient, grated zucchini, adds extra moisture and nutrition to the batter. This recipe is perfect for picky eaters like kids who aren’t a fan of green vegetables. A generous dollop of cream cheese frosting provides the perfect balance of sweetness, making everyone none the wiser to your healthier dessert choice!
Ingredients: (Serves up to 12 people)
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, mix grated carrots, grated zucchini, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry and wet ingredients, mixing slowly until combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once cooled, you can frost the cupcakes with cream cheese frosting or enjoy them as is.
Make memories this spring in a house that will host Easter feast celebrations for years to come! Kerley Family Homes, a top homebuilder in metro Atlanta, has new construction communities in Douglasville, Cartersville, Mableton, Acworth, and more! This year, the kids won’t be the only ones who will find the coveted treasure. Contact our agents to get the details on new homes in Georgia they found just for your family!
Happy Easter from Kerley Family Homes!
