Written by: Mienke van Rooyen
South Africans adore a good protein, eggs and certain baked goods like hot cross buns on Easter. I’m not here to help you pickle fish or bake hot cross buns, I’m pretty sure those Easter meals you can already prepare with confidence. If not, find helpful recipes here.
I want to share with you, a main, a dessert, a snack for either before or after and a drink.
-
Easter Lamb
Let’s tackle the big-gun protein first as an Easter meal – one-pan lamb. When I say lamb, you shout, garlic, rosemary, white wine and veggies… This recipe had me hooked at “one pan”. I know we all love a big warm family gathering, but please just don’t let me do the dishes afterwards. The BBC provides you with the whole recipe.
Ingredients
- 1.6kg bone-in leg of lamb
- 50ml olive oil , plus a splash
- 3 oregano sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped
- 4 rosemary sprigs, leaves of 2 picked and roughly chopped
- 1 lemon , zested (save the juice for the spring greens, see goes well with)
- 1 garlic bulb , cloves lightly smashed
- 1 red chili , pierced
- 1kg potatoes , skins on, cut into thick wedges
- 3 fennel bulbs , cut into quarters lengthways, tops removed, green fronds reserved
- 250ml white wine
- 250ml good-quality chicken stock
2. Oreo egg cheesecake brownies
Oreos are once again THE ingredient to incorporate into most desserts! Have yourself some fun and forget the calories with these Easter meals. Personally I cannot resist a good cheesecake when I smell one.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup milk
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 16 Oreo cookies, whole
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 6 Oreo cookies, chopped
Head over to The Delicious House for each step if you are not confident is preparing brownies.
3. 3-Ingredient Healthy Peach Creamsicles
Okay, fine I know I said to let yourself go a little but just this once, but I could not resist the idea of these healthy popsicles. Homemade treats that do not require too much skill is a great opportunity for you to get the kids involved and keep them busy for at least a short while.
Just look at that colour. Recreate them here.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs peaches, fresh or frozen (about 3-4 large or 4-5 small peaches)
- honey
- ¾ cup raw cashews. soaked for at room temperature for least 4 hours, or in the fridge overnight
PS: I’m pretty sure you can swop peaches for most fruit. Imagine kiwi, litchi or even watermelon.
4. Cottontail martini
An Easter meal goes well with a hand crafted drink. How cute is it that this drink is inspired by Peter Cottontail, the rabbit that went hoppin’ down the bunny trail.
This is so appropriate for Easter. Feel free to turn this into a mocktail as well.
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces whipped vodka – or vanilla vodka
- 1.5 ounces coconut rum
- 2 ounces half and half
- 1/2 ounce cream of coconut
- Splash of pineapple juice
- Honey, chopped sweetened coconut, and marshmallow to garnish
May you have a love-filled Easter.
