Looking for some new ideas for my Easter dinner.....

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I'm so tired of making the same stuff every Easter. Of course, I will still be making a leg of lamb......Other than the lamb, I'd love to hear what you guys are making. I need to change up my menu, including appetizers.

What's your Easter menu?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Since Western Easter and Greek Easter are the same this year I only need to cook once!!

Appetizers:

Tiropita, Kalamata Olives, Squares of Feta, Melitzanosalata and tzatziki, Pita triangles, dipping oils

Dinner:

Greek salad w/ feta
Roasted Lamb, Prime Rib
Roasted Potatoes in rosemary and olive oil (lemon wedges on the side)
Green beans w/tomato

Dessert:

Karidopitta w/whipped creme
Finikia
Koulourakia

and of course Retsina, Metaxa and coffee

Joy

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sounds yummy Joy, thanks!!!!!!

I think that instead of my usual antipasto, I might go with the Greek salad. Also, the Melitzanosalata, and Pita wedges sound like the perfect things to add to my other appetizers.

Do you grill the eggplant or broil it, and then remove the skin? I've never made this before, but have had it at restaurants, and really do like it. Just not sure how to prepare it.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Since Western Easter and Greek Easter are the same this year I only need to cook once!!

Appetizers:

Tiropita, Kalamata Olives, Squares of Feta, Melitzanosalata and tzatziki, Pita triangles, dipping oils

Dinner:

Greek salad w/ feta
Roasted Lamb, Prime Rib
Roasted Potatoes in rosemary and olive oil (lemon wedges on the side)
Green beans w/tomato

Dessert:

Karidopitta w/whipped creme
Finikia
Koulourakia

and of course Retsina, Metaxa and coffee

Joy

OMG, that sounds delish! Can I come?

We used to have a Greek neighbor who lived next to us when we lived on LI...she used to make such wonderful Easter dishes....and a cake that she would hide a wrapped coin in...forget why she did that, but it was always delicious and fun to discover the coin....although, I used to worry that I might break a tooth if it were in my piece of cake

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

2-3 medium sized round eggplants Some parsley leaves (fresh) 1/2 garlic clove (good size) chopped, grated onion (optional) Vinegar Oil Salt Pepper to taste.

Place the eggplants in a shallow pan and bake at 350 (no oil, no water). When they are baked on all sides and have started smelling like they are burned (you'll know the smell) remove from oven and cool. When cooled, remove the outer skin and the burned surface. Remove most of the seeds and cut the eggplants in thin slices. Place in a deep bowl, add parsley and optionaly the onion and the garlic clove. Gradually add one part of oil and one part of vinegar and stir the mixture continously. Stop adding oil and vinegar when you feel that the mixture is smooth. Add salt and pepper for taste and cool in the refridgerator. Serve cold as an appetizer.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

OMG, that sounds delish! Can I come?

We used to have a Greek neighbor who lived next to us when we lived on LI...she used to make such wonderful Easter dishes....and a cake that she would hide a wrapped coin in...forget why she did that, but it was always delicious and fun to discover the coin....although, I used to worry that I might break a tooth if it were in my piece of cake

The coin is for good luck; we usually do that on New Year's Eve. I have that recipe if you want.

Yes, Katiemack, you are always welcome!

Joy

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

The coin is for good luck; we usually do that on New Year's Eve. I have that recipe if you want.

Yes, Katiemack, you are always welcome!

Joy

You are kind! Wish I could fly there! Oh, yes, the coin for good luck....oh yes, please give me the recipe...I loved that cake!

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Vassilopita me amygdala (New Year's Good Luck Cake)

3 cups flour
2.5 cups sugar
1 cup butter (unsalted)
1 cup milk (whole)
7 eggs (large)
1 cup almonds, cleaned and mashed
2 tspns soda powder(dissolved in lukewarm milk)

Beat the butter until it becomes white. Add the sugar and the eggs one by one. Mix well and then add the flour, the almonds and finally the soda, dissolved in lukewarm milk. Beat all ingredients using a mixer. Butter a baking pan (tube pan) and pour the mixture into it. Bake in 350-375 degree oven for about an hour.


To place the coin in the cake, pour batter in pan first then drop in coin which has been flour coated. I use a coin shaped charm, boil it and cool it instead of wrapping it in parchament paper.

Joy

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Joy, are these whole almonds? How do you mash them? Is almond meal the same thing, can it be used?

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

My menu this year is:

Appetizers:
Easter pie (eggs, cheese meats etc)
Shrimp cocktail
Crudités

Dinner:
Leg of Lamb
Brown Sugar Ham
Twice baked potatoes
Candied carrots
Sauteed spinach
Sauteed stuffed mushrooms
Biscuits

Dessert:
Cinnamon rice pudding
Farina pie
Cheesecake
Lemon Ricotta cookies

That eggplant dish sounds fantastic - maybe I will add that to my apps..

Thankfully my mom is coming over to help with the cooking

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Amanda, what is farina pie?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

I have a coffee grinder that I use to chop the nuts. It's very find grind, not like peanut butter, but has a coarse texture.

Joy

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

It's made with eggs, vanilla, anisette, and farina (sort of like an Italian cream of wheat).. it is very delicious and really easy to make and eat! Even though its called a pie - there actually isn't any crust in the version that I make. I just use a 9x13 glass pan and cut it into squares to serve..

[logan115 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close logan115]

I'm guessing that this may be a bit unique to our family (or maybe not), but here's what we've had as long as I can remember - pan fried italian and polish sausage (in addition to the more traditional ham). Why ? Because we used to always go to my Grandparents house for Easter and that's what my Grandma wanted to make In addition, gotta have the "cheezy potatoes" which are basically hash browns covered in a layer (or two) of cheese. Pop it in the over and about 15 mins before it's done take it out and add a layer of crushed potatoe chips on top.

Again, we could very well be the only family in the world that eats this on Easter, but it works for us.......

Chris

[Hophop4 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hophop4]

Joy,
What kind of pita are you making, spinach or cheese? love the spinach. I just picked up the feta and filo to make some. I use to make the filo from scratch but I don't have the energy to do it any more.

We always put a dime in the pita for New Years for good luck. When we were kids my mom use to put two of them somehow each of us kids ended up finding it.

Hop