Recipes: Easter Dinner Menu

"This is one of our favorite Easter menus." Recipes (or links) are included.

Image and Easter Lily info via Bob Webster's Gardening

Easter Sunday Dinner Menu

Very Lemony Roast Chicken

(Download PDF file here.)

Tossed Salad

Saffron Risotto with Pistachios

(Recipe below)

Asparagus Casserole

(Recipe below) 

Orange Liqueur Cake

Our Recipes

Image via American Pistachio Growers

Saffron Risotto with Pistachios

Makes 6 - 8 servings

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 teaspoon saffron threads

2 cups Italian Arborio Rice

1 cup dry white wine (don't scimp on quality)

4 to 5 cups homemade chicken stock

3 Tablespoons shelled pistachio nuts

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. After making chicken broth, melt butter in 10-inch skillet over Medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in saffron and cook 1 minute more.
3. Add arborio rice. Stir well to evenly coat with butter and onions.
4. Pour in wine and 2 Tablespoons of the broth. Simmer, covered, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Add 1/2 cup broth at a time, and continue to simmer while covered, until the arborio is tender. This usually take about 30 minutes.
6. When the arborio is bound lightly together with a little of the cooking liquid, stir in pistachios and Parmesan.
7. Serve immediately.

Adapts Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins with Sarah Leah Chase, The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook (New York: Workman Publishing, 1985), 74.

Asparagus Casserole

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup crushed Ritz Crackers

2 (14.5-oz) cans cut green asparagus, drained

1 cup grated sharp cheese

3/4 cup butter, diced

1 cup blanched almonds, toasted and finely ground

1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Line a 2-quart casserole with a few cracker crumbs.
2. Then alternate layers of asparagus, cheese, cracker crumbs, butter, and almonds in the casserole.
3. Pour the milk in one side of the dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
4. Bake in preheated 350ºF oven for 1 hour.

Adapts Junior League of Jackson, Southern Sideboards (Jackson: Junior League of Jackson Publications, 1977), 258.

What are you doing for Easter? Send a note or post your comments below!