FEATURE co*ckTAIL
Juice of Few Flowers
Back to Basics, page 37 (Recipe)
RATING:4/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.7
You could go with bellinis or mimosas for Easter Brunch, but if you need something with a little more booze to get you through family time, try out Ina’s Juice of Few Flowers!
APPETIZERS
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
How Easy Is That, page 40 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.4
You have to have deviled eggs on your Easter table – sorry, I don’t make the rules! And I love Ina’s version with smoked salmon mixed in. She also tops hers with salmon roe if you want to go extra fancy. You could also try my Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs!
Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Foolproof, page 55 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.9
OK, so it may not be peak tomato season, but you can’t go wrong with these tomato crostinis. Make them for the whipped feta alone!
Green Herb Dip
Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 21 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.7
Crudite platters always make for an easy app. Skip the store-bought veggie dip and go with this fresher, more delicious version. Just make sure you make it in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
Easy Tzatziki with Feta
Foolproof, page 76 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.7
I adore tzatziki sauce and Ina’s simplified version using Greek yogurt is so tasty. I love it served on the platter with a handful of other treats to snack on.
SALADS
Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad
Cooking for Jeffrey, page 46 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.9
Arugula used to be my favorite leafy base and this is an early go-to. The arugula is dressed with sherry wine and garlic vinaigrette and tossed with roasted carrots, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and Marcona almonds. As you can see, early on a balked at the price of Marcona almonds and used regular, but have since learned Marconas are worth the price!
Fresh Pea Salad with Mint & Manchego
Modern Comfort Food, page 73 (Recipe not online)
RATING:4/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:NA
Take advantage of the bounty of fresh spring greens for this bright side. This lemon vinaigrette-dressed salad helps balance what can otherwise be a heavy meal.
MAIN DISH
Baked Virginia Ham
Cook Like A Pro, page 52 (Recipe)
RATING:4/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.3
Growing up there was always ham on our Easter dinner table. Ina’s version is glazed with mango chutney for some sweet heat. I love making sandwiches with the leftovers!
Pastit*io
Make It Ahead, page 124 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.6
If leg of lamb intimates you and you want to feed a crowd, you can’t go wrong with Pastit*io! To make this baked dish, a lamb and beef ragu is mixed with pasta and topped with a thick yogurt-y bechamel. Yum!
Spiced Lamb-Stuffed Eggplants
Cook Like A Pro, page 133 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.7
Another ground lamb option that’s worth the effort!
Greek Lamb with Yogurt Mint Sauce
How Easy Is That, page 131 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
This dish screams Easter. Ina has a ton of lamb chop recipes and this one is my favorite! I love the technique of making them under the broiler. Never a fan of mint jelly, the sauce was a perfect, creamy alternative.
Easy Provençal Lamb
Cook Like A Pro, page 52 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:5
Looking to go traditional for Easter dinner? This was my first time making a leg of lamb and is still my favorite!
SIDES
Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles
Make It Ahead, page 148 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:—
It’s asparagus season and I could not think of a better way to serve them and these cute little bundles! If the gruyere and prosciutto weren’t enough Ina rounds these out with some truffle butter.
Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
Parties, page 174 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
One of my favorite sides and a dish Ina includes in her Easter dinner menu.
Emily’s English Roasted Potatoes
Modern Comfort Food, page 171 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.9
These crispy little guys are so divine and would be even better tossed in the lamb drippings!
Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise
Barefoot in Paris, page 144 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
More asparagus! This one with a heavenly hollandaise sauce – which is easier to pull together than you’d think!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Food Network (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
If you’re not an asparagus fan and looking for more greens, this is such a simple and universal side!
DESSERT
Carrot & Pineapple Cake
Food Network (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
One of my all-time favorite cakes! The pineapple adds moisture and you don’t even know it’s there.
Salted Pistachio Meringues
Modern Comfort Food, page 201 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
These pillow puffs aren’t traditional for Easter but they sure are beautiful! The crispy exterior encasing the pillowy interior is the perfect textural contrast!
Coconut Cupcakes
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, page 175 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.6
Another Easter (and Ina) classic! Turns out when I made this I wasn’t a huge cream cheese frosting fan?! WHAT? For a little extra flavor, go ahead and toast that coconut.
Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
Family Style, page 213 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.7
See, toasted coconut makes everything better!
Banana Rum Trifle
Modern Comfort Food, page 208 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:—
This will be on practically every list for entertaining. It’s so phenomenal!
BREAKFAST
Country French Omelet
Back to Basics, page 227 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.9
Ok so this may be better for a smaller Easter breakfast, but I recently multiplied it by three and baked it on a sheet pan for a much larger crowd. It was a hit!
Shakshuka with Feta
Cook Like A Pro, page 238 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
Spicy tomato sauce with eggs? Give me more.
Potato Basil Frittata
Family Style, page 182 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.6
Another simple and delicious option if you are hosting an Easter brunch!
Maple-Roasted Bacon
Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 225 (Recipe)
RATING:5/5
FOOD NETWORK RATING:4.8
Another that I just say make for any get-together.
But don’t forget about my Carrot Cake Trifle!
More Best of Ina lists here.
