Photo credit: Rachael Ray Show
Aired March 30, 2015
by Lisa Lozano
Not feeling the typical Easter entree options this year? There's no law that says you have to serve a main course of ham or lamb! We have 9 delicious recipes that will wow your dinner guests and make them forget every ordinary (boring...?) Easter main dish they ever ate. Read on for inspiration!
Rachael Ray Show
This delicious crispy chicken recipe would work perfectly for a small gathering. The meal cooks up quickly, and the flavor is developed by browning and cooking all the ingredients in the same cast-iron skillet. The bright green of the peas let's you know that spring has arrived!
This lamb meatloaf recipe is Greek-inspired, featuring spinach, feta cheese and mint. It also features a secret Easter ingredient – boiled eggs! Rach trims the whites of the eggs slightly so that each slice will have the white and the yellow of the egg.
Johnny C’s Italian Slow-Cooked Ribs
Rachael Ray Show
Who says you can’t serve your guests delicious slow-cooked ribs on Easter? And if you’re one of the lucky ones who lives in a warmer climate, turn it into a barbeque and bring the party outside.
Tarragon Roast Chicken with Buttery Roast Baby Potatoes and Vegetables
If you’re expecting a small-ish crowd, why not make a delicious roast chicken? There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a chicken roasting in the kitchen for a special family gathering. Rachael shows you the French method of rubbing the bird with butter, and roasts the chicken atop root vegetables to make it practically a one-pot dish. The tarragon and fennel will add a sweet, licorice-y flavor, delish!
Spring Lamb Ragu with Lemon and Olives
You could feed an army with this lightened-up take on a Bolognese sauce. Rach’s version features a lamb with lemon and olives served over a delicious egg tagliatelle. What could be better to sit down to for an Easter Sunday meal with family and friends?
Curtis Stone's Porcini-Braised Beef with Horseradish Mascarpone
Rachael Ray Show
When you hear "Easter" you don't typically think of beef as the entree, but this beautiful braised beef by Curtis Stone might change your mind. And because this recipe slow cooks the meat until it's super tender, you can start with a less expensive cut like Chuck, which makes it more affordable to serve a large group.
A lot of families eat lasagna for Christmas, but not make a big eggplant parm “lasagna” for Easter? This recipe substitutes grilled eggplant for the pasta, and makes a great party dish. Even if you don’t make this as the main course, it would be a great alternative entrée for vegetarian guests.
Breakfast, Lunch Or Dinner Carbonara Pizza
If we’re going offbeat, let’s go all the way and make a pizza for Easter! This carbonara-inspired pizza comes together quickly and let’s face it – your family would probably be just as happy with pizza as with an elaborate roast. So why not give them what they (and you perhaps?) want?
So, do you think you'll take us up on our challenge? Or will you be making a more traditional Easter meal? Tell us in the comments!