How to prepare your Easter Brunch/Dinner

Having your Easter brunch or dinner with friends and family can be fun, easy & delicious!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• This article printed for reference with recipes
• Food items suggested for recipes
• Glass of wine while you cook!

1. Step One: MENU
   
   * Main Dish *
   Mint Stuffed Lamb
   Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham
   For Kids: Easter Pizza (with Pineapple & Ham)
   
   * Salad *
   Spring Salad
   
   * Sides *
   Easter Biscuits
   Garlic & Orange Asaparus
   Sauted Red Potatoes w/Mushrooms & onion
   Bakes Carrots w/white raisins
   
   * Dessert *
   Carrot Cake Cupcakes
   Ambrosia Salad

2. Step Two: Start Cooking
   
   * Main Dishes *
   PINEAPPLE & HONEY GLAZED HAM
   
   Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees. On a roasting pan with one cup of water on the bottom, place the ham fat side up. Cook for 20-30 minutes per pound covered.
   During the last 30-45min of cooking glaze the ham with a mixture of pineapple chunks, honey and clovers. Cook uncovered for the remaining time. When finished cooking - let sit for 15 minutes to let juices settle.
   
   MINT STUFFED LAMB
   Preheat over at 350 degrees. I buy a Boneless Lamb Sirloin. The roast can vary from 4-8 pounds of nice tender meat.
   Make a small cut into the center of the roast. Stuff the center with a mixture of fresh mint leaves,fresh tarragon, chopped garlic, cinnamon, lemon juice & olive oil. Use the remains to rub the outside of the lamb roast. I also season the outside of the lamb with pepper & salt. Cook for about 30 minutes & check occasionally.
   
   Easter Pizza: Order your favorite pizza (cheese) and add pineapples & ham & re-heat. Kids will love it!!!
   
   * Sides *
   EASTER BISCUITS
   Pre-heat oven 375 degrees. Tk 2 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/3 c. softened butter, 1/2c. molasses, 1/2 c/ plain low fat yogurt.
   Mix dry ingredients together. Add margarine, molasses and yogurt. Stir all together until mixed well. pat the dough out on wax paper. Cut with a biscuit cutter and baked on an greased baking sheet for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.
   
   ASPARUGUS -Bake 325 degress for 20 min. Top with olive oil, chopped garlic & mandarin oranges.
   
   RED POTATOES - On cook top boil the red potatoes until slightly soft. Drain & add butter, mushrooms and onion. Saute for approx 20 min.
   
   CARROTS - pre-heat oven at 325 degrees. Bakes carrots with butter, white raisins, a couple splashed of white wine, and cinnamon. Bake for approx 20 minutes or until carrots are softened.

3. * Salad *
   
   SPRING SALAD
   Spinach, Strawberries, chopped scallions, and walnuts mixed together. Dressing: orange juice, olive oil, dijon mustard mixed. Serve dressing on the side.
   
   AMBROSIA SALAD
   Mix mandarin oranges, pineapple chucks, grapes, flaked coconut, miniature marshmallows, and sour cream. Serve
   
   * Dessert *
   
   CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES
   Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Mix 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups shredded carrots, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking sada, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup vegtable oil (I use sunflower oil), 4 lg eggs.
   After mixed place in greased muffin pans for about 20-25min. Do the toothpick check. Once done (this is where I cheat) add your favorite cream cheese icing and top with a colored jelly bean.

Tips & Warnings

• With the oven being approx the same degrees...cook a couple things at a time.
• This will allow you time out of the kitchen & joining the the Easter Egg hunt
• ENJOY!
• Don't drink too many of glasses of wine while your cooking - you may forget to serve your guests!

[turtledove]

on 5/1/2009 Carrot cakes! I never thought of this for Easter. So perfect! 5*