Ideas for Easter Cooking

Ideas for Easter Cooking

Easter Cooking: A Celebration of Tradition and Flavour

Easter is one of the most celebrated occasions across the UK, bringing together families and friends to enjoy a festive feast. Whether it’s a classic roast lamb, hot cross buns, or an array of chocolate treats, Easter cooking is a delightful blend of tradition, seasonal ingredients, and indulgence. In this post, we’ll explore the rich culinary traditions associated with Easter in the UK, offer some delectable recipes, and provide tips to make your Easter meal truly special.

The Traditions of Easter Cooking

Easter food in the UK is steeped in history, with many dishes symbolising aspects of the religious and seasonal significance of the holiday. Some of the key components of an Easter feast include:

  • Roast Lamb: Traditionally served as the centrepiece of Easter Sunday lunch, lamb symbolises spring and renewal. It is often seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and thyme and roasted to perfection.

  • Hot Cross Buns: These spiced sweet buns, marked with a cross on top, are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. They date back to Tudor times and are filled with dried fruit and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

  • Simnel Cake: A rich fruit cake topped with marzipan, Simnel cake is traditionally eaten on Easter Sunday. It features eleven marzipan balls on top, representing Jesus’ disciples (excluding Judas).

  • Easter Eggs: Chocolate eggs are perhaps the most iconic Easter treat, enjoyed by children and adults alike. They symbolise new life and the resurrection of Christ.

  • Spring Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, peas, and carrots are common accompaniments to Easter meals, reflecting the bounty of spring.

Easter Sunday Roast: The Perfect Lamb Recipe

A traditional Easter lunch revolves around a beautifully roasted lamb. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe for a classic roast lamb with a herby crust and garlic-infused flavour.

Ingredients:

  • 2 kg leg of lamb

  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 1 lemon, zest and juice

  • 200ml red wine or lamb stock

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas Mark 6.

  2. Using a sharp knife, make small incisions all over the lamb and insert slices of garlic into each cut.

  3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest.

  4. Rub this mixture all over the lamb, ensuring it is well coated.

  5. Place the lamb in a roasting tray and pour the red wine or stock into the bottom of the tray.

  6. Roast for approximately 1 hour 40 minutes for medium, or adjust the timing depending on your preferred level of doneness.

  7. Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Serve with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a mint sauce for a traditional Easter feast.

Homemade Hot Cross Buns Recipe

No Easter celebration is complete without hot cross buns. These sweet and spiced buns are best enjoyed warm with a spread of butter.

Ingredients:

  • 500g strong bread flour

  • 75g caster sugar

  • 10g salt

  • 10g instant yeast

  • 2 tsp mixed spice powder

  • 300ml warm milk

  • 1 egg, beaten

  • 50g butter, softened

  • 200g mixed dried fruit

  • 75g plain flour (for the cross)

  • 100ml water (for the cross)

  • 2 tbsp apricot jam (for the glaze)

Method:

  1. Mix the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and mixed spice in a large bowl.

  2. Gradually add the warm milk and beaten egg, then mix until it forms a soft dough.

  3. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  4. Add the butter and dried fruit, kneading until well incorporated.

  5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

  6. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape into buns. Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each.

  7. Cover and let them rise for another 45 minutes.

  8. Mix the plain flour with water to form a paste, then pipe crosses onto the buns.

  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas Mark 6 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. The Pep Non Stick Crisper Baking Tray would be great for this!

  10. Warm the apricot jam and brush over the buns for a shiny glaze.

Enjoy your hot cross buns fresh from the oven, or toast them for an extra-crispy bite.

Decadent Easter Chocolate Nest Treats

For a fun and easy Easter treat, try these no-bake chocolate nest cakes. They’re perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen!

Ingredients:

  • 200g milk chocolate

  • 100g shredded wheat cereal

  • 100g mini chocolate eggs

Method:

  1. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave.

  2. Crush the shredded wheat cereal into a mixing bowl.

  3. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until fully coated.

  4. Spoon the mixture into cupcake cases, shaping them into nest-like mounds.

  5. Place mini chocolate eggs in the centre of each nest.

  6. Leave to set in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.

These treats are simple to make and always a hit with children and adults alike.

Easter Cooking Tips for a Stress-Free Celebration

Easter is a time to enjoy good food and company, so keeping your cooking stress-free is key. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

  • Plan Ahead: Make a meal plan and do your shopping in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

  • Prep in Advance: Many dishes, like hot cross buns and Simnel cake, can be made the day before to save time on Easter Sunday.

  • Delegate Tasks: If you’re hosting, get family members involved in setting the table or preparing side dishes.

  • Use Seasonal Ingredients: Spring is a great time for fresh produce, so make the most of seasonal vegetables and herbs.

  • Keep It Simple: Easter cooking doesn’t have to be complicated—focus on quality ingredients and classic flavours.

Easter cooking in the UK is a wonderful blend of tradition, seasonal produce, and indulgent treats. Whether you’re preparing a hearty roast lamb, baking hot cross buns, or making chocolate nests with children, the joy of Easter cooking is in sharing delicious food with loved ones. With a little planning and some traditional recipes, you can create an Easter feast that will be remembered for years to come.

Happy Easter and happy cooking!

 

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