Happy Easter to everyone. This year Easter was on the second earliest date that it could possibly be, March 23rd. And to celebrate the beginning of Spring, and the festivities of Easter, we hosted a large feast with all our closest family and friends. (Minus a few due to extenuating circumstances of course!)
Saturday afternoon mom and I went grocery shopping, and for some strange reason it took us four hours and four different stores to find MOST of the ingredients. For the both of us, that was not a good sign for the rest of the preparation for the guests the next day. Finally, after we threw our hands in the air and said we would cook what we had, that is what we did. From about seven in the evening until past midnight, we kept cooking and prepping the food for the next day. I prepared the Limoncello Tiramisu, the Honey-Almond-Anise Biscotti, the Basil-Marinated Shrimp that was to go on the White Bean Crostini with Arugula the next day. Mom prepared the homemade Chicken Broth, the fifty or so Mini Parsley Meatballs to go in the broth, and the Lamb. We figured the more we did the night before, the less we would have to do the next day....good thinking right?! And who could forget the decorating of the eggs.
Step 2: Base coat the eggs with the color
Saturday night the preparations were underway. And Sunday morning, I was back at mom and dad's house by nine in the morning to keep preparing the food. The Crostini were broiled, the glaze was cooking and the broth was keeping warm.
Mom prepped the lamb and the parsley spread, which you see here. Not much of the lamb was left, and I bet if you could eat bones then those would be gone too.
Even amidst the frantic cooking Mom and I took a quick snapshot, knowing that this would most likely be the only photo of the two of us all day.
Finally, the appetizers were out about twenty minutes after the guests arrived. It was the first time that ALL the guests were just about on time, and I was VERY behind in my cooking. Here we see the Grilled Polenta with Rosemary Sauteed Mushrooms.
And also, we had Pecorino cubes covered in a Balsamic Black Pepper Glaze.
Once all the appetizers had been cleared of the plates we all sat down for a long meal of about 3 course. With sixteen people total, the meal lasted quite a long time.
The centerpieces were lovely, with bowls filled with pebbles, water and white floating candles. Also, the candle holders and candlesticks were contributed by Urmi, and were too cute not to display.
Finally, after the meal and coffee, tea and after dinner drinks had been served, dessert made its way outside. As a quick fix to the Limoncello Tiramisu, more like a quick last minute decoration, I swirl peeled the skin of a lemon.
The Lady fingers and Biscotti were excellent as well. I wish I could say I made the ladyfinger because they are so perfectly cooked, but no.
Although, the Honey-Almond-Anise Biscotti did look good, despite having been made by a tired cook at midnight the night before :-)
In all, Easter this year went beautifully. The weather was perfect, sunny, warm but not too hot. And it was really a perfect afternoon with such great family friends. Days like this one are never a miss, with the right people and a great occasion!
PS I do not have any photos of the goings on in the afternoon between the meal and dessert. But the guests are schemers I tell you. Apparently all the guests had prepared gag gifts for my mom's fiftieth birthday seeing as we are not holding a party for her. (By her own request) So as to put her in the spotlight nevertheless, we had a little birthday celebration for her as well!
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