MARCH 20, 2018

4 Easter Recipes That Are Sure To Please All Your Guests!

Get ready for all your favourite spring activities and the Easter holidays! After Christmas and Thanksgiving, Easter is the third most popular family gathering of the year for Canadians. Although traditions for Easter can range from painting eggs to a simple family gathering, it is considered a time to ring in the changing of the seasons and gather with loved ones.

When inviting friends and family around the table, there’s always a challenge in finding the right combination of dishes that will please everybody. Our mix of recipes for 2018 combines Easter classics such ham and carrots with a twist of lemon and caramelized pears, an often overlooked delicacy that brings out the promises of spring with fresh fruit and zest. By emphasizing the freshness of spring with fruit and ingredients such as mint, you can create a meal that perfectly blends the classics with the new and offer dishes that are both delicious and healthy. Your guests will be delighted by the familiar staples they’ve known for years while being thrilled with the new flavours brought to each recipe.

This year for dessert, skip the chocolate eggs and go for a dish that adds a touch of fruit with our lemon square recipe that will cater to your sweet tooth without being too overwhelming. For those who still desire a taste of chocolate, we also have our double chocolate cookies made with fresh vanilla and cocoa.

LEMON SQUARES

Ingredients FOR BASE

2 cups sifted flour
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter

FOR TOP

4 large beaten eggs
2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon rind (optional)

Instructions

1. For the base mix the butter into the flour and sugar.
2. Mix with hands until it clings together.
3. Press into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
4. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. 

5. For the filling, beat together eggs, sugar and lemon juice. 

6. Sift together flour and baking powder.

7. Stir into egg mixture.
8. Pour over baked, cooled crust. 

9. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.

10. Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

11. Cut into bars. 

 

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Prep Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

1 1/8 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups bite size chocolate chunks

Instructions

Total Time: 34 mins

1. Cream together the butter, sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla. 

2. Blend in the cocoa and add baking soda, salt and blend well.
3. Add the flour into the creamed mixture and fold in the chunks
4. Bake at 350°F for 8-9 minutes. 

BRAISED CARROTS WITH MINT AND LEMON RIND

Ingredients

1 pound small carrots, with tops on (about 2 bunches) 

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

1 tablespoon fresh lemon rind

Juice of 1 orange

1/2 cup of maple syrup

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Trim the tops off the carrots, leaving about 1/2 inch of the green stem attached, and wash thoroughly.

2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the carrots and cook, stirring from time to time, for about 8 minutes, until tender and have a little color.

3. Stir in the orange juice, maple syrup and 1/2 cup of cold water, salt, and pepper. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and let the carrots simmer until nearly all of the liquid has cooked off, about 10 minutes. Season the carrots with more salt and pepper to taste, garnish with mint and lemon rind and serve warm.

Happy Easter!