Over the past nine years of blogging here on The Kitchen Scout, I’m sure at some point I told you how much I adored Easter as a child. I still do! Especially when it falls in April and the worst of the winter weather is behind us.
Growing up, Easter was a dress up affair for my family that started with an egg hunt, followed by church and ending with a big meal at either one of my grandparent’s homes or at our house with lots of family around.
A new dress, patent leather shoes, occasionally a bonnet and a little purse and I was on my way for the day. I wish I could remember all the specifics of our family menus but honestly, it’s my mother’s Carrot Pineapple Cake that is one of my favorite flavor memories. I posted it on the blog several years ago and it is as old school as it gets, although hers does not have cream cheese frosting so in essence, you can have a bigger piece! And of course, I always treasured my Easter baskets as it was often chocolate I gave up for Lent and my Mom – oops I mean the Easter bunny – would bring me an egg shaped, colorful foiled box filled with a variety of chocolates and a few jelly beans for good measure!
And it wasn’t Easter without our annual egg cracking contest, either after breakfast when the eggs had been collected during the hunt, or after dinner when we were older and the hunt was no longer a morning activity! Does your family have one? This is a tradition in Armenian families and in many other cultures as well, but it brings out the competitive nature in everyone – who knew from a little egg? It’s really fun, and I highly recommend it if you love to play games with your family.
This year for Easter we are heading to Rhode Island to be with my husband’s family which means casual dress as we will outside flying kites if the weather holds, which is one of their traditions that I’ve grown to love. My assignment is salad so I am debating my options! I’m wearing this sweater that I absolutely love and highly recommend.
If you are looking for some menu ideas for the weekend, here are some ideas from the blog in all the categories. Happy Easter to those who celebrate and a belated Happy Passover as well.
Until next time…
Asparagus, Ham and Gruyere Tart (add an egg on top!)
Grilled Asparagus and Beet Salad
Farro, Citrus and Arugula Salad
Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois Chicken Salad
Wilted Radicchio, Endive and Arugula Salad
One Pot Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese Pasta
Ottolenghi and Goh’s Coconut, Almond and Blueberry Cake
