Spring has arrived and that means that Easter is right around the corner. After opening up the Easter baskets and hunting for eggs around the house, there is nothing better than gathering the family around the table to devour a delicious feast. If you’re still mulling over your Easter menu, Ream’s Food Stores has a few suggestions that will be sure to leave your guests asking for a second helping.
Honey Glazed Ham
The centerpiece of every Easter dinner usually includes either lamb or ham. While lamb is very traditional and has roots in early Passover observance, ham has become the staple for most Americans. It is more well known and you want to serve a dish that everyone can enjoy. And come on, who doesn’t love leftover ham sandwiches?
Ingredients Available At Ream’s Food Stores:
- 1 10-pound bone-in smoked ham (with water added)
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup clover honey
Follow these instructions to make the honey glazed ham.
Au Gratin Potatoes
While the ham is typically the star of the show, remember that the side dishes also play a very important role. Did you know Au Gratin means sprinkled with breadcrumbs or grated cheese and browned? I don’t think anything sounds more heavenly than potatoes with bread and cheese on top.
Ingredients Available At Ream’s Food Stores:
- 4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 onion, sliced into rings
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Follow these instructions to make the au gratin potatoes.
Sweet Glazed Baby Carrots
Rabbit food isn’t just for the Easter bunny, it’s for all of us. Carrots are not only an Easter themed side dish but they are also nutritional. Sure, adding brown sugar on top may cancel some of that out–but it’s the holidays, who is counting calories anyway?
Ingredients Available At Ream’s Food Stores:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Follow these instructions to make the sweet glazed baby carrots.
Deviled Eggs
What would Easter be without eggs? Deviled eggs are a tradition in many households during this time of year. If you don’t want to be wasteful, you can use the same hard boiled eggs from dyeing eggs to make your deviled eggs. The kids can enjoy coloring the eggs and the whole family can enjoy the taste.
Ingredients Available At Ream’s Food Stores:
- 6 large eggs
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper, to taste
- paprika, for garnish
Follow these instructions to make the deviled eggs.
Decorated Cupcakes
You can’t finish Easter dinner without a festive treat waiting for your guests. To make these cute desserts, top each cupcake with Cadbury Mini Eggs under almond bark or shredded coconut to make the appearance of eggs laying in a nest. You can make the cupcakes with the recipe below or simply pick up plain cupcakes from the Ream’s Food Stores bakery that you can decorate yourself.
Ingredients Available At Ream’s Food Stores:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3/4 cup buttermilk or whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 egg whites
For the Frosting:
- 2/3 cup white chocolate chips, melted (~4 ounces)
- 5 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 3 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
For the Topping:
- 1-ounce chocolate almond bark
- 24-36 Cadbury Mini Eggs
Follow these instructions to make the decorated cupcakes.