When we say Easter, the first thing that pops in your mind are colourfully decorated eggs. An image of a cute rabbit hopping along the grass. But do you really know what Easter is and why we celebrate it? Nahi?
Padeshan mat ho, let’s take a quick history lesson.
Easter is one of the major Christian holidays that marks the resurrection of Jesus after his crucification. Along with having a joyous celebration of His rebirth, the festival also commemorates defeat of death and the hope of salvation for humanity. According to tradition, Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the spring equinox, that is March 21st. So it could fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.
This year Easter is on 17th April (pretty close!), and it’s time to talk about the most important thing, the lajawaab khana!
The Easter traditions stretch far, and that covers your dinner table too. And if you’re looking for mouth-watering Easter lunch ideas and Easter food ideas, look no further. Because we’ve compiled a one-stop-shop for all easter recipes needs. Put on your chef’s hat and let’s get cooking!
Read Easter Celebration: Understanding The History & Significance Of The Event
5 Authentic Easter Recipes That Would Be Loved By All
1. Chocolate Eggs
Chocolate eggs are the heart and soul of this festival, traditional easter egg recipe included marzipan flowers and sugared almond stuffings. (already drooling).
Preparation Time: 1 Hour
Cooking Time: 10-20 Mins
Ingredients:
- 500 grams chocolate per egg
- Optional: candies for filling
Steps:
- Take a pan with simmering water and place a bowl on top of it. Break your chocolate and allow the steam to melt it.
- Once the chocolate is melted, place the base of the bowl in another bowl filled with ice water and continue stirring. Place the bowl with melted chocolate briefly on the simmering pan and allow the temperature to climb up. You have now tempered the chocolate!
- Take an egg shaped mould and pour the chocolate, tilt it around so that there’s an even layer of chocolate. Flip the moul back into the moul, so the excess chocolate drips out into it.
- Take a baking tray or any flat surface covered with parchment paper. Place the mould, edge down and allow it to cool for 20 to 30 mins in the freezer.
- Remove the mould from the fridge and let it sit for 20 mins before removing the mould.
- To join the two halves of the egg, heat a baking sheet for a few mins. Place the chocolate halves down on the sheet to slightly melt the edges. Then hold the edges together until they stick and let it sit before decorating.
- You can add extra candies of your choice inside and decorate however you like!
2. Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns easter tradition is followed on good friday and the cross on top of buns, you guessed it right, signifies the crucifiction of Jesus. This easter egg recipe is easy to follow and so rewarding.
Preparation Time: 4-5 hours
Cooking Time: 1-2 hours
Ingredients:
- 750g strong white bread flour
- 90g butter
- Cinnamon and mixed spice
- 60g light muscovado sugar (kacchi shakkar)
- 150g mixed dried fruit
- 90g dried apricots
- 7g easy-bake dried yeast
- 2 eggs and 300ml milk
- 90g plain white flour
- 2 tbsp golden caster sugar, to glaze
Steps:
- Create a dough by mixing white flour, salt, butter, sugar, dried fruit, yeast with help of beaten eggs and milk.
- Knead the dough for a few mins then cover it with a damp cloth and let it sit for 45 mins.
- Make small bun-like shapes and place them in a baking tray. Let them sit in a warm place for 40 mins, once they rise, cut the cross on top of it with a knife.
- Make a paste with the white flour and make a cross with it on top.
- Set the oven at 200 degrees and let them bake for 15-20 mins. Once they’re ready, glaze them with sugar syrup for yummy buns.
3. Traditional Easter Cake (Simnel Cake)
The origins of this sweet dish are unknown, but it is a crowd favourite this time of the year. You can also try something new to make a bunny cake instead of this traditional easter cake.
Preparation Time: 1 hours
Cooking Time: 3-4 hours
Ingredients:
- 250g butter, softened
- 250g light soft brown sugar
- 4 medium eggs
- 250g self-raising flour
- 2 level tsp mixed spice
- 250g sultanas
- 125g currants
- 175g glacé cherries
- 125g chopped dried figs
- Lemon and orange zest
- 2 x 500g packs white marzipan
- Almonds (flakes and ground)
Steps:
- First off, set the oven to cool at Gas Mark 2 or 150°C. Then make batter using eggs, flour, sugar, mixed spices and butter. Add the zest and mix well.
- Take your marzipan and set it on your cake tin so that it fits. Layer your cake mix and add another layer of marzipan.
- Place it in the oven and let it cook for over 3 hours.
- Once done, roll out some more marzipan and place your cake over it and grill until brown.
- Create small balls using marzipan almonds. Place them on top of your fresh cake and voila!
4. Roast Lamb
This delicious easter lamb dish is served on Easter sunday. A lot of christian stories reference this and that’s one of the reasons it’s linked to this festival. This will make your easter lunch table extra traditional.
Preparation Time: 30 mins
Cooking Time: 2-3 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 x 1.3kg whole or carvery lamb leg joint
- Salt and black pepper
- 30ml/2tbsp olive oil
- 25g butter
- 2 small finely chopped red onions
- 100g fresh breadcrumbs
- 75g finely chopped stoned dates
- Large bunch freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 180-190°C. For the stuffing, melt the butter in a pan and cook the onions until soft, then add the remaining seasoning ingredients.
- Make slits over the lamb joint and add the stuffing, covering both sides as well. Shape the remaining mixture into small balls and cook separately.
- Place the joint metal rack in a large non-stick roasting tin, drizzle with oil and open roast for 25 to 30 mins.
- Cover it with foil and let it rest. For the gravy, spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and sprinkle some flour, add wine (optional) and add seasoning and let it simmer for 8 mins.
- Serve the lamb with vegetables, gravy and the cooked stuffing balls.
Read 6 Laajawab Yet Simple Grilled Chicken Recipes That You Must Try
5. Easter Cookies
When you have guests and friends coming over, you can never go wrong with freshly baked cookies-especially colourfully decorated ones.
Preparation Time: 20-30 mins
Cooking Time: 1-2 hours
Ingredients:
- Basic sugar cookie dough
- Bunny shaped cutter
- Royal icing
- Food colouring (your choice!)
- White and black sprinkles
Steps:
- Using the cookie dough, cut bunny shaped cookies and bake them.
- Separate the icing into different bowls and add food colouring of your choice (go for bright colours like yellow, blue and pink).
- Using a piping bag, outline the cookie. Place a small dot in its place for the eye and add black sprinkles there. Add a bush of tail using white sprinkles. These will go perfectly with your bunny cake (the kids will love this!).
There are so many other easy to make easter recipes you can make at home. Easter bread is also one of the traditional foods you can try.
How To Host Easter At Home?
For those of you who want to celebrate Easter at home this year, here are some ways to host an egg-cellent party!
- Cook a traditional feast (use the recipes above)
- Colour Easter eggs with your family and kids.
- Plan an egg hunt, including your kids and all the adults will make it even more fun!
- Invite your close friends over and flaunt your cooking and baking skills.
Even if you don’t follow the traditional norms of celebration, it’s all about having a good time with your family and rejoicing in God’s rebirth. Here’s your time to #BeALittleMore joyful and spread love.
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