Easter is one of my favorite holidays. To me it’s a celebration of Spring and this year it brings the glorious spring sunshine. Steve’s family gathers for an Easter Brunch at a local restaurant, then we head home with the children (big and small) for the traditional Easter egg hunt. This year I’m preparing a simple, do ahead buffet for dinner.
I love it when Easter comes later in the season. This year it will be warm enough to dine on the patio so I’ve planned a picnic of sorts. Since we have a brunch earlier I don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen preparing dinner so the picnic theme resonates through the menu. It’s not our traditional Easter dinner but I tend to switch things up each year to make room for our new, shared family traditions.
This year, with the help of my local Whole Foods, the menu is fast, easy and can be prepared the day before. I set out the appetizers and throw the Ham and Gratin in the oven about an hour before we eat and set out the rest. How easy is that?
An Elegant Easter Buffet:
Appetizers
Radish Butter Spread* with Artesian Bread
Tzatziki with Rainbow Carrots
Strawberry Grand Marnier Mimosas
Main Course
Asparagus Tart with Goat Cheese and Spring Greens
Spiral Sliced Ham with Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze
Green Salad
Ch. Spencer La Pujade ‘la P’tite Soeur’ Rose 2015
Dessert
Coffee and Tea
The great thing about this menu is that you can prepare just about everything in advance and set it out when our guests are famished from all of the egg hunts and Holiday festivities. It’s casually elegant, non fussy and simply delicious.
Speaking of guests, make sure you have a pitcher of Strawberry Grand Marnier Mimosas ready so everyone can have a festive sip right off the bat. It lends an elegant garden party air to the outdoor activities.
Thanks to Cynthia Landrie of Feeding Big for sharing her Radish Butter Spread for this post!
The best part about the menu? It is fun to plan and is always a pleasure to shop at my local Whole Foods and it gives me time to enjoy my Easter guests.
This week Whole Foods has amazing specials on some of my Easter favorites: Tulips, Ham, Sweet Potatoes,Berry Chantilly Cake and much more. CLICK HERE for the Sales Flyer. After shopping you can find the perfect paring across the street at Bin 201 where they helped me find the perfect rose to compliment the meal.
2016 Domaine Spencer La Pujade Corbieres Le P’tit Soeur Rose, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Sustainable vineyard with organic growing practices
“Delicately scented of red berry fruits and a hint of white flowers. On the palate it is medium-bodied, and expresses a fine minerality typical of the château terroir. Flavors of red berry fruit are complemented by a zesty freshness, which carries through to the finish, giving it an attractive thirst-quenching quality.”
What are your favorite Easter foods and traditions? Let me know in the comments below.
Here’s to warm hearts and lot’s of fun on this Easter holiday. Enjoy!
Oh my Gosh! What a wonderful Easter dinner. I love everything that you are having. I think the cake is a perfect touch to the end of a perfect meal. So beautifully laid out and so many wonderful dishes.
What a fabulous Easter dinner! Although I have to say, the tulips are so beautiful, I just could have stayed here staring at them!
You’ve prepared a lovely menu for Easter. We hop from house to house on Easter (not unlike the Easter Bunny), so I am responsible for side dishes and desserts. You’ve provided a lot of fresh inspiration.
This not only looks and sounds delicious but is just so gorgeous. Lots of great ideas here and so many great dishes. We always have ham for Easter dinner but I will have to add a few of these other awesome ideas this year. Love the idea of the Strawberry Grand Marnier Mimosas!
This sounds like the perfect Easter dinner. I am looking forward to the Sweet Potato Gratin.
This is the most beautiful tablescape ever. good food and pretty decor. I think that is one of the reasons I am so big on special occasion decor. It’s just so warming