Spring Entertaining
The Timeline
The Essential Easter Lunch Meal Primer
Every great gathering begins with a timeline that includes tasks that must be accomplished. If proper planning & logistics are put into action early, the festive celebration should run relatively smoothly. Make a list for the day so your beautiful meal can be served hot. A smart use of oven management will prove to be useful & valuable when it comes time to say grace.
No. 1
The Entree
Lemon-Thyme Pork Loin Roast
Most main dish meats will need to stand at room temperature before roasting, cooking or grilling them in order to register even & accurate cook times so give them your attention first. The pork will need to stand at room temperature for 45 minutes & roast for 45 minutes. It will then need to rest before slicing. For additional details on how to properly prepare the pork loin for roasting, look to Cooking Classics: Lemon-Thyme Pork Loin Roast.
1a
The pork loin roast doesn’t need much in order to prepare it for cooking. A Dijon mustard based seasoning blend imparts flavor with minimal effort. Brush it over the surface of the roast, place it on a rack over a foiled lined half sheet pan & place it in the oven.
Meanwhile, take care of other meal preparations. Focus on the appetizer next.
No. 2
The Appetizer
Sweet Pea-Ricotta Spread
Hopefully, this was prepared ahead of time, but if not it can be blended quickly. Spoon the appetizer into a serving piece, accompany with an heirloom silver knife & arrange it on a platter with crudités & crostini toasts. Offer this to guests while attending to other tasks. Look to Cooking Classics: Sweet Pea-Ricotta Spread for recipe specifics.
No. 3
The Composed Salad
Easter Basket Salads
The salads make a big impact to beautifully set tables when adorn at each place setting. Place the baskets on salad plates. Fill the baskets with mixed greens & the cheese eggs 20 minutes before the meal is to be served. Transfer the dressing to a serving piece & place it onto a plate. It will contain drips as it is passed.
3a
If you feel you need to crisp the baskets, take care of this early in the day. Bake at 350 for 3 to 3 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling them. Look to Spring Entertaining: Easter Basket Salads for complete recipe instructions.
No. 4
The Side Dishes
Roasted Beet & Carrot Spinach Salad With Fresh Dill-Feta Dressing
Since the vegetables, the lentils & the salad dressing can be prepped ahead of time, it will just be a matter of arranging the salad on a platter. Follow the instructions as outlined in Cooking Classics: Roasted Beet & Carrot Spinach Salad With Fresh Dill-Feta Dressing. This can be taken care of before church so it’s ready to pull out of the refrigerator once you return or up to an hour before serving, if desired. Place the dressing in a serving piece with a plate underneath. Accompany it with an heirloom silver demitasse spoon.
4a
If the vegetables still need to be roasted, take care of this task earlier in the day so as to free up oven space. Look to Cooking Classics: Roasted Beets & Carrots for detailed instructions.
4b
Bacon-Spinach Roasted Potato Salad With Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette
Oven management is key when preparing grand meals for special celebrations. While the pork stands, roast the potatoes if you’re planning to serve them at room temperature. The salad can be assembled while the entree is cooking. Sprinkle with the bacon just before serving. Look to Cooking Classics: Bacon-Spinach Roasted Potato Salad With Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette for recipe details.
4c
Placing the potatoes cut side down on the half sheet pan ensures they will become crisp as they roast.
Salad dressings can be prepared up to 4 days ahead of time or the day it is to be served. Once blended, transfer to a tabletop bowl & accompany with an heirloom silver spoon for serving.
No. 5
The Bread Basket
Honey-Butter Knotted Rolls
Rolls that have been prepared in advance may need to be heated. Complete this task about 15 minutes before the meal is to be served. Place them in a single layer on a half sheet pan, cover loosely with foil & warm in a 350 degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the rolls to a bread basket lined with a linen & cover them to keep warm.
5a
Conversely, if you plan to prepare the rolls the day they are to be served, start this task first thing in the morning. Follow the rewarming tips before serving them, if desired. For more details on preparing the yeast risen rolls from scratch, look to Cooking Classics: Honey-Butter Knotted Rolls.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Craft A Collection Of Desserts
Dessert deserves just as much attention as the main meal. A beautifully set table designed to display seasonally inspired sweets is the ideal way to continue festivities well into the hunt.
The Technique
Up to an hour before the main meal is to be served, set the dessert table. Prepare coffee just before serving guests. Have coffee mugs, spoons & beverage napkins arranged in varying heights & organize them on trays. Follow these additional valuable pointers.
No. 1
Toasted Coconut Cake
Remove the Toasted Coconut Cake from the refrigerator. Place an heirloom silver cake knife & server on the table. It’s always a good idea to have a small plate available to rest these items on, if necessary, during the process to keep the table tidy looking. Once it’s time for dessert, consider appointing someone to cut the cake & help pass the pieces.
No. 2
Lemon Bars
Stack Lemon Bars on a platter the morning of festivities so all that you will need to do is retrieve them & place in the desired location. Heirloom silver tongs should be close so guests may serve themselves.
No. 3
Easter Egg Cookies
Easter Egg Cookies can be integrated throughout the table for a finishing touch. If you do not plan to make the Easter Basket Salads, consider placing one of the cookies at each place setting.
The Tune
“God Bless The Child” Billie Holiday
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Be sweet.
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