Traditional Easter Meal Suggestions

Main Course

Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary

Ingredients:

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon lemon zest

3 cloves garlic, minced

5 pounds whole leg of lamb

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

This one will have your guests asking for seconds

Apricot-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

1 bone-in fully cooked half ham (about 10 pounds), rind removed

1 1/2 cups apricot jam

1 1/2 cups bourbon

1/4 cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

A favorite in many families.

Roasted duck with herbs

Ingredients:

2 ducks, 3 to 4 pounds each, rinsed and patted dry

4 large cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers

4 sprigs rosemary

2 sprigs thyme

Sweet paprika

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Duck might not seem like a common meal but after you try this recipe, it will be!

Sides

Garlic Roasted Carrots

Ingredients:

2 ducks, 3 to 4 pounds each, rinsed and patted dry

4 large cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers

4 sprigs rosemary

2 sprigs thyme

Sweet paprika

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

The Easter Bunny will want to come have dinner with you if these are on the menu!

Asparagus with Balsamic Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 pound asparagus, trimmed

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

This is a great dish to welcome Spring.

Buttery Lemon Broccolini

Ingredients:

4 quarts water

1 1/8 teaspoons salt, divided

2 (6-ounce) packages Broccolini

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

If your little one loves trees, they will want to have these on their plate

Desserts

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter, for the pan

12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan

12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups

2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed

3 large eggs

6 ounces plain yogurt

6 ounces vegetable oil

Crean Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups

Who doesn't love cake and what could be better than a delcious carrot cake.

Sour Cream-Lemon Pound Cake

Ingredients:

Cooking spray

3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons lemon extract

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon rind (about 2 lemons)

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided

1 (8-ounce) carton low-fat sour cream

1 cup powdered sugar

A lighter version of your traditional sour cream pound cake

Mini Cheesecake Baskets

Ingredients:

2 pkg. (250 g each) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

12 vanilla wafers

1-1/2 cups flaked coconut

Few drops food colouring

36 small jelly beans

12 pieces string licorice (4 inch)

You know your kids are going to LOVE this one!