Easter dinner is as much a celebration of spring as it is a religious holiday. It is often a meal of traditional Easter foods such as eggs (a symbol of rebirth), lamb (a symbol of spring) and hot cross buns (the cross a symbol of, well, the cross). And because it falls in the spring — usually the first Sunday after the vernal equinox — the meal often features fresh spring produce such as asparagus, artichokes and peas. Ham — ready to eat in the spring after curing through the winter — often replaces the lamb here in the United States. Homemade rolls or biscuits typically grace the table and you’ll surely want potatoes, perhaps roasted crispy or with herbs. An Easter soup makes a nice starter. At the end of the meal, a carrot cake can be a subtle reminder of the Easter Bunny — the ostensible source of those chocolate eggs. Easter falls on March 27 this year.
15 recipes for Easter dinner
Deviled eggs are bite-sized flavor bombs that offer a study in both texture and balance. The sprinkle of everything bagel spice that garnishes these ties all the flavors together.
Time1 hour 15 minutes
YieldsMakes 24 deviled eggs
Authentic Mayeritsa is made with lamb heart, lungs and other organ meats. These days adaptations such as the lamb shanks or neck bones called for here are permissible.
TimeActive work time: 30 minutes
Total preparation time: 1 1/2 hours
YieldsServes 8
This asparagus is dressed simply with hard-cooked egg, anchovy, shallots, olive oil and fresh lemon juice. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of fleur de sel.
Time35 minutes
YieldsServes 6
Russ Parsons’ recipe for lamb served with braised peas and baby turnips is a spring classic.
Time4 hours 30 minutes
YieldsServes 6
The pork tenderloin comes out moist and tender and, along with the potatoes, suffused with a gentle, almost haunting, fragrance of rosemary.
Time50 minutes
YieldsServes 4
Sweet and spicy, this glazed ham is a perfect centerpiece for a holiday feast.
Time2 hours 10 minutes
YieldsServes 10 to 12
These rich and creamy biscuits provide all the comfort of traditional flaky biscuits but without the hassle of rolling and cutting them out.
Time25 minutes
YieldsMakes about 15
Even before you taste the citrus in these tender buttery hot cross buns, you can smell it in the glaze.
Time4 hours
YieldsMakes about 20 buns
Everything in this dish is green, albeit of different hues. The shapes and forms vary, including the complicated artichoke, the layers of asparagus tips and the hidden geometry of peas.
Time1 hour
YieldsMakes 4 to 6 cups of mixed vegetables
Fresh whole sugar snap peas and shelled English peas make for a great combination of textures and flavors.
Time15 minutes
YieldsServes 6
New potatoes roasted with herbs make a great accompaniment to the Easter lamb or ham. But these aren't just any roasted potatoes; the herbs are inside them.
Time1 hour
YieldsServes 4
Fluffy inside and exceedingly crunchy outside, perfect English roast potatoes are the best a potato can be.
Time1 hour 15 minutes
YieldsServes 4 to 6
Packed with carrots, this cake is simple to make vegan without sacrificing its original deliciousness.
Time1 hour 20 minutes
YieldsServes 8 to 12
Boldly flavored with lemon and rosemary, these shortbread cookies are made with fewer than five ingredients.
Time1 hour 20 minutes
YieldsMakes 20 cookies
The dry milk in these hand-dipped chocolate eggs with almond butter centers makes for a light, malty crunch.
Time40 minutes
YieldsMakes about 2 1/2 dozen