Simplest Easter Menu

[poppy]

I am hosting Easter for 6-9 adults. 

I am not someone who entertains often. I've done it, like, 3x, and went way overboard every time.

I'm looking to pare down as much as possible.

 

Help me plan a SIMPLE menu.  4-5 items max for the main course. Main issue is, I do not eat meat and I'm not sure what pairs well.

 

What's traditional, crowd pleasing, easy?

 

Ham + quiche + asparagus + fruit salad?

Lamb + roasted potato + Brussels sprouts + green salad?

 

Help!

 

 

[mlktwins]

This year we are making prime rib, scalloped potatoes, creamed spinach or green bean casserole, rolls of some kind, and a fruit salad (my MIL calls it Ambrosia).  We will be having 10 people total.

[mlktwins]

 

 

Ham + quiche + asparagus + fruit salad?

 

This would be good!  We are not quiche eaters here, so I would substitute the scalloped potatoes for that. 

[J-rap]

Our go-to is usually ham, boiled potatoes, asparagus, green salad, dinner rolls.  Also, coconut cake.  :)  (You can make ones shaped like a bunny!)

 

[madteaparty]

Leg of lamb

Gratin potatoes (w goat cheese)

A salad or three because the above is so heavy

Asparagus is nice :)

[ScoutTN]

I like your ham menu! I would add a starch - nice yeast rolls or potatoes and go with that. 

We never do real dessert for Easter since chocolate abounds that day! 

 

 

 

[Ethel Mertz]

I'd put scalloped potatoes with the ham and omit the quiche as well (unless you want the quiche as a vegetarian entree). Just do not do what my mother did the year I was 6: she served rabbit! Being the precocious young thing I was, I figured out what it was, yelled "you killed the Easter bunny!, and ran from the table, along with my equally horrified 5 year old sister. Half a century later, I still have not gotten over that particular entree.

[poppy]

OOOOH rabbit on Easter, that's ...............I'm sorry but that's hilarous. But I don't blame you for being horrified!!!

 

These are great, thank you all.

 

I'd forgotten about ambrosia.  Basically the same thing as jello salad right? I'm experiencing 1980s grandma memories right now and it's like a warm embrace.

 

[umsami]

My Mom would pick up a Honeybaked ham (thus eliminating one thing to make) and serve it with scalloped or mashed potatoes, green salad, and green beans.  Not a lot to make that way.  (ETA: Costco, Sam's, and BJs make far better scalloped potatoes than my Mom...so those could be bought as well. ;))

 

Both of your menus sound lovely though.  I like the idea of adding a vegetarian quiche to the mix.

Edited March 26, 2017 by umsami

[barnwife]

I was hoping to post an Easter dinner thread. We are hosting. It's extra complicated because we are baptizing our baby. So we will be out of the house extra long for church and the baptism.

People will be hungry when we get back especially those who will be driving a few hours that morning to get here for church. So I need a menu that can mostly be made ahead/cook while we are gone and be ready when we get back.

And we could have 25 or more people (though most would be kids).

I am planning on ham, a starch, rolls, a vegetable, and a fruit salad. And hard boiled eggs of course. Maybe I will try to make potatoes in the crock pot? Could I make mashed potatoes ahead of time and just keep them warm there? 


 

[Guest]

I was hoping to post an Easter dinner thread. We are hosting. It's extra complicated because we are baptizing our baby. So we will be out of the house extra long for church and the baptism.

 

People will be hungry when we get back especially those who will be driving a few hours that morning to get here for church. So I need a menu that can mostly be made ahead/cook while we are gone and be ready when we get back.

 

And we could have 25 or more people (though most would be kids).

 

I am planning on ham, a starch, rolls, a vegetable, and a fruit salad. And hard boiled eggs of course. Maybe I will try to make potatoes in the crock pot? Could I make mashed potatoes ahead of time and just keep them warm there?

 

 

 

Yes. I've done it a multitude of times for big family dinners. Make it on the creamier side if you don't like for the potatoes to get very stiff. Maybe a little creamier than you ordinarily eat them and then they will be just right when some of the moisture evaporates. Keep them on low in the crock pot.

[marbel]

I would have ham, asparagus quiche, potatoes, salad, rolls, dessert.   

 

Actually I'd probably make the quiche crustless because of potatoes and bread.  Vegetarians can eat it as their main, and others can eat it as a side.   You can make it ahead and reheat it.

 

Ham is super simple and in my experience, much more forgiving than lamb.  (overcooked lamb, ugh)  Of course you may have more experience with lamb than I do.    

 

 

Edited March 26, 2017 by marbel

[Wabi Sabi]

Ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, rolls, dessert. Oh, and deviled eggs are a must. 

[Janie Grace]

Agreeing with everyone on ham over lamb. I think far fewer people like lamb. It's a pretty distinct tasting meat.

[Anne in CA]

OHHHH, but I LOVE lamb. Easter is the only time I get it.

[Guest]

I'd do the ham roasted taters Brussels sprouts and fruit or green salad. I'd add some commas in to make up for this post's lack.

 

Brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil and with bacon bits is wonderful--and more forgiving than asparagus. To play it safe, I'd do beans as the green veggie as both asparagus and sprouts are objectionable to some people.

 

For the meatless I would prepare ahead what some people call stuffed eggs but even in Pascha, we call them deviled eggs. You can make them ahead, as you can the ham and all the salad prep.

[Janeway]

I'd put scalloped potatoes with the ham and omit the quiche as well (unless you want the quiche as a vegetarian entree). Just do not do what my mother did the year I was 6: she served rabbit! Being the precocious young thing I was, I figured out what it was, yelled "you killed the Easter bunny!, and ran from the table, along with my equally horrified 5 year old sister. Half a century later, I still have not gotten over that particular entree.

oh my!! About the bunny! Also, I agree with the scalloped potatoes with the ham.

[IfIOnly]

Ham

Scalloped or au gratin potatoes (can be done in crockpot)

Green salad

Asparagus or green beans (This stove top green bean recipe is sooo good and very forgiving http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/green-beans-with-onion-recipe )

Rolls

Edited March 26, 2017 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[Carol in Cal.]

Definitely lamb (love!) over ham (meh).

And Roasted potatoes are perfect with it.

Then asparagus rather than brussel sprouts, AND a green salad.

 

Angel pie or French silk pie for dessert.

 

If you do appetizers, clam dip and barbeque potato chips is my go to--easy and always good plus you can make the dip the day before.

[Liz CA]

Definitely lamb (love!) over ham (meh).

And Roasted potatoes are perfect with it.

Then asparagus rather than brussel sprouts, AND a green salad.

 

Angel pie or French silk pie for dessert.

 

If you do appetizers, clam dip and barbeque potato chips is my go to--easy and always good plus you can make the dip the day before.

 

I'd come to your house any Easter! Sounds exactly what I would serve if I was not invited to friends' house. I hope they don't have ham... :crying:

[Chris in VA]

We marinate lamb chunks (from a cut up leg)in Italian dressing, then thread on skewers and grill, along with peppers, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms on other skewers and serve over rice in a big pot. It is my favorite meal of the year and easy.

[marbel]

Another thought:  if you don't eat meat, why not have a vegetarian meal? 

 

Quiche, deviled eggs, a vegetable or two, salad, bread.   A nice dessert.  

 

ETA: Certainly don't add more meat to any of your side dishes!  :-)  You should be getting a nice dinner too!  

 

 

Edited March 26, 2017 by marbel

[poppy]

Looks like I should learn to make scalloped potatoes.

So many people really eat green beans.... really? I don't see the appeal. I always roast asparagus / brussel spouts.... I guess I could roast green beans?

 

Agreeing with everyone on ham over lamb. I think far fewer people like lamb. It's a pretty distinct tasting meat.

 

Ham is salty & sweet, lamb is gamey. However, it is a lot easier to find humanely raised lamb (just about all lamb) vs ham.

[marbel]

Looks like I should learn to make scalloped potatoes.

So many people really eat green beans.... really? I don't see the appeal. I always roast asparagus / brussel spouts.... I guess I could roast green beans?

 

 

Ham is salty & sweet, lamb is gamey. However, it is a lot easier to find humanely raised lamb (just about all lamb) vs ham.

 

We like green beans, but we like other vegetables too.

 

I think you should make whatever vegetables you like best, since you are making a main dish which you are not even going to eat. 

[Starr]

Our family will take lamb over ham any time. I think it's interesting how long  ham and scalloped potatoes have been the Easter dinner. I'm however so wiped out after Holy Week and fixing food for after the Easter Vigil Saturday night and services Easter morning that I am happy to eat whatever someone else cooks or whatever sounds good at the moment. :D 

[mlktwins]

Looks like I should learn to make scalloped potatoes.

So many people really eat green beans.... really? I don't see the appeal. I always roast asparagus / brussel spouts.... I guess I could roast green beans?

 

 

Ham is salty & sweet, lamb is gamey. However, it is a lot easier to find humanely raised lamb (just about all lamb) vs ham.

[mlktwins]

My scalloped potatoes are from a box with yummy stuff added. Got the recipe from someone here. They are now requested at all the holiday meals we host. Very easy!!! I can find and post the recipe if you want

..and give credit to the original poster 😊

[Alessandra]

Lamb is my favorite, but it is $$$ around here, plus some people don't like it.

 

So, for a crowd, I would go with regular or spiral sliced ham (more expensive, but so easy when it comes to serving).

 

Roasted asparagus. You can put a big bunch on a baking sheeet with salt and olive oil, roast for about 15 minutes at 425. It will still roast even if stalks are piled on each other. In hot weather, you could serve this lukewarm with vinaigrette. Good Seasons tastes good if you don't make you own dressing. I think Brussels sprouts are too wintery for Easter.

 

What about a frittata for another dish? It's substantial, but no crust to make, as you would have with a quiche. We like this herb frittata recipe from Kitchn.com.

 

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-fresh-herb-potato-and-goat-cheese-frittata-222817

 

I substitute feta for goat cheese, as goat cheese is $$$. You could roast the asparagus at the same 400 degree temp as the frittata, no problem.

 

ETA

 

Quiche worries me, in case you have guests who cannot have gluten or dairy. Often people can have a touch of cheese, but a whole quiche....

 

To add color to the plate, what about roasted cherry tomatoes?

 

https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/roasted-cherry-tomatoes

 

I do the, above, more or less. My recipe -- and I think it is Ina Garten's -- has minced garlic and a tiny bit of sugar. I use heirloom tomatoes, all colors. If any are much larger than the others, I cut them in half. I sometimes leave out the basil (just lazy) and it's fine.

Edited March 26, 2017 by Alessandra

[SparklyUnicorn]

Ham is so easy.  You are just heating it up.  Lamb is not so easy and not everyone likes it.  I suppose not everyone likes ham either, but I think it would be the safer bet.

 

Then you just do whatever sides you like to do or enjoy eating.  It goes with pretty much anything really.

 

 

[poppy]

Ham is so easy.  You are just heating it up.  Lamb is not so easy and not everyone likes it.  I suppose not everyone likes ham either, but I think it would be the safer bet.

 

Then you just do whatever sides you like to do or enjoy eating.  It goes with pretty much anything really.

 

Ha, that's how my husband cooks, but i need it laid out.  My favorite cookbook is The Six O'Clock Scramble because it very specifically tells you what to do every meal. Make cheesy quesadillas; serve with roasted sweet potatoes and avocado slices. Lots of people would roll their eyes at that common sense advice. And I'm just like "ooooooh that is brilliant".

[poppy]

My scalloped potatoes are from a box with yummy stuff added. Got the recipe from someone here. They are now requested at all the holiday meals we host. Very easy!!! I can find and post the recipe if you want

..and give credit to the original poster 😊

 

Please do.  I actually think boxed scalloped potatoes are super delicious. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Please do.  I actually think boxed scalloped potatoes are super delicious. 

 

I like the boxed ones too.

 

Oddly better than I like homemade.

Edited March 26, 2017 by SparklyUnicorn

[mlktwins]

Please do.  I actually think boxed scalloped potatoes are super delicious.

I cannot find the thread I got this from, but I have it printed out (all 19 pages -- LOL). The title of the thread is Do you have a recipe that is just SO good, and SO much better than any other that you'd cry if you lost it? It thread was started by Julie in CA on 7-28-13 and this recipe was actually from Julie in CA :-).

 

Anyway, I use the Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes (not the cheesy scalloped). Use 2 boxes for your number of people. You add 4 oz. of cream cheese per box, add extra garlic & minced onions (dried), and substitute cream for the milk called for on the box. I melt the cream cheese with the hot water the recipe calls for. I bake per the instructions on the box and may cook a little longer depending on which oven I am using. It can look a little soupy when it is done cooking, but will solidify once it sets out a bit. Great leftover too.

[HTRMom]

We usually have lamb, twice-baked potatoes, asparagus, squash soup, and dinner rolls. The soup can be made ahead. The potatoes are the only intensive thing. And wine to drink. Something light with fruit for dessert. Strawberry shortcake, fruit salad with whipped cream, or cobbler.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ktgrok]

Ambrosia is a fruit salad with marshmallows...so yummy. Now I want to make that for easter!

 

Simple would be ham, rolls, your veggie of choice (asparagus is perfect and easy), fruit salad. Maybe baked beans or deviled eggs or potatoes. baked beans are easy to have ready ahead of time...probably the easiest of those options. I wouldn't go to the trouble of quiche unless YOU like quiche a lot and want that. Or buy already made ones...even mini ones..yum!

[SKL]

My mom always does a ham and homemeade potato salad and macaroni salad.  If you must be healthy and have veggies, a cold veggie tray would probably be fine.  That's what the bunnies eat after all.  :)

[zoobie]

Simplest? Costco's Black Forest deli ham (my favorite ham, honestly) with Costco croissants. Salad and macaroni and cheese (that's homemade). Carrot cake or some kind of lemon thing.

 

ETA: my grandmother made ambrosia with supremed orange segments and coconut.

Edited March 26, 2017 by zoobie

[umsami]

Ambrosia reminds me of my childhood.  My grandma used to make it. <3 <3 <3

[madteaparty]

Our family will take lamb over ham any time. I think it's interesting how long ham and scalloped potatoes have been the Easter dinner. I'm however so wiped out after Holy Week and fixing food for after the Easter Vigil Saturday night and services Easter morning that I am happy to eat whatever someone else cooks or whatever sounds good at the moment. :D

I think it's a cultural thing. I don't think I've served ham for dinner ever.

[ktgrok]

I think it's a cultural thing. I don't think I've served ham for dinner ever.

 

I think there is a history/reason for ham at easter...something about the hogs that were killed in the fall and slowly cured are ready about now or something?

[Zinnia]

I think there is a history/reason for ham at easter...something about the hogs that were killed in the fall and slowly cured are ready about now or something?

It also gets hot at Easter. It's time to eat the last of the fall meats so they don't go bad.

 

We plant tomatoes and peppers on Good Friday, though this year has been warm, so we are pushing it.

[poppy]

I think there is a history/reason for ham at easter...something about the hogs that were killed in the fall and slowly cured are ready about now or something?

 

Yes, that's what I learned too. Using up last of cured meats before Spring during Equinox festival. 

[ktgrok]

Yes, that's what I learned too. Using up last of cured meats before Spring during Equinox festival. 

 

And the idea sticks around despite refrigeration because ham is so easy, lol. At least, that's why I do it :)

 

The Aldi spiral ones are pretty good, although very salty. 

[Bluegoat]

I'd do lamb, because it is the best meat, IMO, probably a leg roasted with honey.

 

However, ham is simpler.

 

I'd probably do roasted potatoes with the lamb, carrots, and maybe minted peas.  Or fiddleheads and aspaaragus if they were in season, but usually they aren't here.

 

I like a pavlova for the dessert.

[cjzimmer1]

I cannot find the thread I got this from, but I have it printed out (all 19 pages -- LOL). The title of the thread is Do you have a recipe that is just SO good, and SO much better than any other that you'd cry if you lost it? It thread was started by Julie in CA on 7-28-13 and this recipe was actually from Julie in CA :-).

 

Anyway, I use the Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes (not the cheesy scalloped). Use 2 boxes for your number of people. You add 4 oz. of cream cheese per box, add extra garlic & minced onions (dried), and substitute cream for the milk called for on the box. I melt the cream cheese with the hot water the recipe calls for. I bake per the instructions on the box and may cook a little longer depending on which oven I am using. It can look a little soupy when it is done cooking, but will solidify once it sets out a bit. Great leftover too.

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/482178-do-you-have-a-recipe-that-is-just-so-good-and-so-much-better-than-any-other-that-youd-cry-if-you-lost-it/

 

I had forgotten about that thread but felt the need to go look at it again.  Thought I'd post the link in case anyone else was interested.