Easter Lunch, a recipe and my Lent Challenge Check In
One of my very favorite photos!
My children have often asked my which is my favorite holiday. This is such a difficult question! I am one of those folks that love a reason to celebrate and decorate, cook, set a table and, of course, eat. Christmas is fabulous and Halloween is so much fun, but my very favorite holiday and time of year is Easter. I love everything about it. The time of year. The Spring. The new growth and fresh flowers. Going to church. Watching all of the children dressed in their best. Decorating eggs and watching the hunt. Setting a colorful table with delicious lighter fare for family. And, of course, the reason for such a wonderful Celebration.
As Sunday approaches I am preparing the Easter lunch menu. Some things are completely set in stone. Deviled Eggs, oh yes. I don't even have a real recipe for these. Being from the South, I think you come out of the womb knowing how to make deviled eggs like your mama. Easter lunch also calls for ham. My boys mentioned purchasing a ham from a popular "ham store". Are you kidding? Again, if you are from the South you bake your ham and cover it with a wonderful brown sugar and honey glaze. Tell me your mouth isn't watering! Potato salad is another "must" at the table and I make mine just like my Bigmama did - with a little yellow mustard thrown in and sweet pickle relish. Love that stuff! Any table in a Brooks' celebration has a place for macaroni and cheese, so that is also on the menu. Those are the "must haves".
I usually like to try one new dish at each event just to throw in something different. This year I wanted to do something with broccoli rabe. I'm not really sure, but it just sounded fresh and good. I began looking around and found a recipe that sounded really good. I tweaked it a bit and came up with the following:
As Sunday approaches I am preparing the Easter lunch menu. Some things are completely set in stone. Deviled Eggs, oh yes. I don't even have a real recipe for these. Being from the South, I think you come out of the womb knowing how to make deviled eggs like your mama. Easter lunch also calls for ham. My boys mentioned purchasing a ham from a popular "ham store". Are you kidding? Again, if you are from the South you bake your ham and cover it with a wonderful brown sugar and honey glaze. Tell me your mouth isn't watering! Potato salad is another "must" at the table and I make mine just like my Bigmama did - with a little yellow mustard thrown in and sweet pickle relish. Love that stuff! Any table in a Brooks' celebration has a place for macaroni and cheese, so that is also on the menu. Those are the "must haves".
I usually like to try one new dish at each event just to throw in something different. This year I wanted to do something with broccoli rabe. I'm not really sure, but it just sounded fresh and good. I began looking around and found a recipe that sounded really good. I tweaked it a bit and came up with the following:
BROCCOLI RABE ORZO SALAD
- 1/2 cup orzo, preferably whole-wheat
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 pound), trimmed and chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
PREPARATION
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and cook 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add broccoli rabe; cook 3 minutes more. Drain in a colander and gently press out as much water as possible.
- Heat oil in the pot over medium heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add oregano, salt, pepper, the broccoli rabe and orzo. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in feta and lemon juice.
NUTRITION
Per serving: 192 calories; 10 g fat (2 g sat, 6 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 8 g protein; 6 g fiber; 288 mg sodium; 247 mg potassium.
THEN I found this recipe for a healthy fruit dip on one of the foodie blogs I visit at times. Lee over at FitFoodieFinds.com has some great recipes and such beautiful photographs you just want to dive right into anything she serves. Look at this photo below! Is that not beautiful? I am going to serve this fruit dip and think it might be my new favorite thing to take to my host! It is ridiculously easy, too. Check out the recipe HERE.
I am the nerd that loves setting a table, too. I "shop" around my house to find table setting and centerpieces. Last year I used a great aunt's hand crocheted placemats and my grandmother's very first pieces of china. I loved the sentiment.
My table last year. I loved using my Bigmama's floral plates! I've been checking out Pinterest lately for new ideas . . . It's so addicting . . .
As the end of the Lent Season approaches I am wondering if you had your own Lent Challenge. I set out mine here . I have done pretty well. I did have one day recently where I had to be very mindful of finding some joy but I did and it made my whole being so much better. It has been a very uplifting, necessary and intentional challenge! How about you? How are you doing?
What's on your menu whether for Easter or Passover? What is your favorite holiday? Do you make yours or buy? Add new things or stick with the tried and true?
Wishing you Joyful times with your family and friends this Season
What's on your menu whether for Easter or Passover? What is your favorite holiday? Do you make yours or buy? Add new things or stick with the tried and true?
Wishing you Joyful times with your family and friends this Season
