Easter Menu & EZ Crafts Spring Fling

Easter Egg Wreath Bread - Above

After many years of marriage we seem to have our ‘go to meals’ for the holidays. Our family loves a traditional Ham Dinner with Pineapple Stuffing and Baked Rigatoni & Cheese. An Italian tradition is Pepperoni Bread. I usually use the frozen bread (of course thawed) so that makes for one shortcut. I make everything up a day in advance so on Easter I can spend time with my family!

Last year I made Sweet Kat's Easter Egg Wreath & Rachael Ray's Italian Cheesecake Ricotta Pie. Check out these recipes below. Everyone loved them! My German grandmother gave me her Easter Cake Mold to me, so I love to make an Easter cake too.

Check out This Blessed Nest's Spring Fling for all things Spring!

Ham & Pineapple Stuffing (recipes below)

Easter Dinner

Ham

Pepperoni Bread

Pineapple Stuffing

Rigatoni mac & cheese

Easter Egg Wreath Bread

Ricotta Pie

Pepperoni Bread -Let frozen dough thaw and rise.

Knead and roll thin with dusted flour.

Melt 4 T. butter. Spread on top of bread.

Layer sliced pepperoni and Am cheese on top.

Roll like jelly roll.

Brush mixture on top- 1 egg, 2 t. parsley, water, pepper and parmesan cheese.

Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 350 degrees for 30 – 40 min.

Pineapple Stuffing

Cream 1 c. sugar and ½ c. butter

Add 3 eggs.

In a separate bowl 4 c. bread cubes and pour ½ c. milk & toss.

Combine the bread mixture in the butter mixture.

Mix all together then pineapple last.

1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple and juice.

Pour in 13 x 9 pan.

Bake 350 50 - 60 min.

Rigatoni Macaroni and Cheese

1 box Rigatoni-cooked

8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 pt. sour cream

1 pt. mayonnaise

Mix all together then add 1 Quart of Milk.

Pour into 13 x 9 pan. (A larger pan makes for easier mixing)

Sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika.

Bake uncovered 350 45 min – 1 hour

Rachael Ray's Italian Ricotta Pie

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds ricotta cheese
• 9 large eggs
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• Grated peel and juice from 1 orange
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• Confectioners’ sugar, for sprinkling
• Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.

2. Using an electric mixer, combine the ricotta, eggs, granulated sugar, orange peel and juice, cream and vanilla. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1½ hours. Turn off the oven and let the cake rest inside for 30 minutes. Let cool, then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Italian Easter Egg Wreath from Sweet Kat’s Kitchen recipe here

I have been making these blown eggs for a long time. Put a pin hole at each end of a raw egg & blow out egg. Let dry. Glue lace around the egg & glue pearls in the shape of a cross. So simple!

A birdhouse & eggs for a center piece!

What are your holiday traditions? Do you hide Easter Eggs and have an Easter Basket? Growing up we always had an orchid corsage to wear to church. Isn’t it sad that most don’t do that anymore? How about a bonnet & white gloves? I had such a wonderful childhood & it is so great to see our children passing on our family traditions. He is Risen! Alleluia!

My daughter in law's Easter tree last year!

Flowers are another important part of Spring!

I also love going to Easter Church Services.
May you have a blessed Spring! Thanks for stopping by. Jennifer aka Gigi