By: Jennifer Pallian
Spring has officially sprung, and that means it’s time to celebrate Easter with your loved ones. Whether you’re with friends, family or a bit of both, these helpful tips will have your work in the kitchen done in a flash so you can get back to spending time with the people that matter.
1. If you’re hosting a big dinner, pick your recipes at least a week in advance (like this turkey roast with delicious pan sauce recipe). This gives you ample time to plan your shopping trips if the menu requires multiple stops and gives you a buffer to switch recipes if an ingredient you were counting on isn’t available due to supply chain issues.
2. If you’re nervous about hosting and attempting new dishes, it can be really helpful to reach out to family and friends for their favourite tried and true recipes.(like this whole turkey with pancetta stuffing). Using a recipe that someone you trust has recommended is a great way to reduce stress about uncertain recipes. Then on the big day, you’ll be confident and calm preparing something you know is easy and delicious.
3. If you’re cooking a frozen Butterball Turkey, pick it up a week in advance to give you lots of time to thaw it. Frozen Butterball Turkey Breast Roasts are my favourite for serving a smaller crowd, and they don’t even need to be thawed!
4. Prepare as much as you can in advance, so you aren’t locked in the kitchen on Easter day. Veggies can be chopped in advance, most casseroles can be assembled and this scrumptious Herbed Peppercorn Gravy can be made 1-2 days ahead.
5. Choose a dessert (like this fluffy no-bake Easter Egg Cheesecake) that can be made a day or two beforehand and won’t take up oven space on the big day.
There is no one perfect way to host an Easter dinner! Find the things that work best for you and enjoy yourself as you build new traditions and find your rhythm. As long as you’re sitting around your table enjoying a meal with your people, you can call your Easter a success!