Easter Weekend Entertaining

Well, Easter weekend will soon be upon us. For many, it is time to open our homes to our family, and friends. Here at Hilltop Acres, Easter weekend is full of food and family filled times. As a result, we thought we would share some of our favorite tips & tricks. You can host the perfect Easter weekend celebration, too.

3 Simple Ways to Be a Better Host

Keep your menu simple. Yes, having a lavish dinner with an abundance of sides may seem appealing. However, it is also time-consuming for the person preparing the meal. Easter weekend should be spent with family and friends, not in the kitchen. Nonetheless, I am sure your guests won’t be complaining about a home-cooked meal.

Decorate the table. Adding decoration to your table will add elegance to your meal. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it. Keep it simple! Spring flowers are an excellent addition to any table. Additionally, hand decorated eggs make for a festive look. Do you have children? Involve them! Check out these fun ideas for decorating eggs this Easter.

Be present. As we mentioned, don’t spend all your time in the kitchen. First of all, greet your guests personally when they arrive. Next, offer a drink to make them feel welcome. Lastly, engage with your guests. For instance, some people even opt for a “no technology” rule. As a result, more quality time is spent together.

Easter Weekend Menu

Every family celebrates Easter weekend differently. Maybe, you are planning a spring brunch. Or, perhaps you are having a sitdown dinner. Regardless, we have some inspiration for you. From main courses to delicious sides, you’ll be ready to prepare your Easter feast.

How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

When you think of turkey, what comes to mind? For the most part, people answer Christmas or Thanksgiving. But, what about Easter? As a matter of fact, it is an excellent choice for any holiday meal. This versatile protein choice can be the star of your spring meal. Follow these easy steps to get the perfect Easter turkey.

Brine the Turkey

First, you want to give the bird a soak. Using a brine method creates a very moist, flavorful turkey. To begin, combined 1 gallon of water, 2 cups apple cider, 2 cups kosher salt and, 2 cups sugar. Mix well. Next, you want to submerge the turkey into the mixture you made. Don’t have a container big enough to fit? Luckily, Using two sturdy bags together should suffice!

Marinate the Turkey

Above all, don’t skip this step. Marinating your turkey may sound a little odd. However, it is a great way to add both moisture and flavour to a large piece of poultry. Additionally, a marinade gets into all those hard to reach places that a dry rub cannot. But most importantly, a marinade will help produce golden skin, full of flavour. We found this tasty marinade recipe from Food & Wine:

• 10 roasted garlic cloves
• 10 raw garlic cloves
• 1 3/4 cups canola oil
• 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 3 chipotles in adobo sauce

Cook the Turkey

To begin, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Next, calculate the cooking time based on the size of your turkey. As a guideline, if your turkey weighs more than 4 kg (around 9 lbs), then you want to calculate 20 minutes per kg, plus another 90 minutes to finish. If your turkey weighs less than 4 kg, you will want to calculate 20 minutes per kg, plus another 70 minutes to complete. Finally, you are ready to get that turkey in the oven. Of course, there are many ways to go about cooking this protein. For more help, check out our blog How to Cook a Turkey.

Main Course Alternatives

Of course, not everyone chooses to cook a turkey on Easter weekend. Your meal can include whatever you decide. Surely, there are no wrong answers. But, it is essential to think about the number of people you need to cook for. Do you have a large group? A turkey will work best in this scenario. However, for smaller groups these are a few popular options:

• Roasted Chicken
• Glazed Ham
• Duck
• Rabbit

For a meatless alternative, try out this Garlic Whole Roasted Cauliflower.

Easy Sides Your Family Will Love

From decadent, creamy scalloped potatoes to bright, fresh salads – you have a world of options. Side dishes prove to be the star of big dinners like Easter. Furthermore, many options are quick and easy to prepare. The key is to find recipes you can make ahead or pop in the oven. Likewise, you can always ask your guests to bring something. Many people choose to do the “potluck” style feast. Consequently, you end up with a meal that reflects each of its attendees.

Nevertheless, we promised you recipes – So, here you go:

4 Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy Spring Peas

Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Roasted Radish & Yellow Beet Salad

Cheese Stuffed Sweet Onions

Easter Weekend Activities

To conclude, we want to remind you what Easter is all about – spending time with loved ones. Moreover, it is a great time for creating traditions that will last a lifetime. You can have plenty of fun in your own backyard! For instance, if the weather permits, you can set up an Easter brunch outside in the sunshine. Additionally, Easter egg hunts are always a fun time for the children. For those colder Easter weekends, bring the party inside. Traditionally, families always decorated eggs together. Nevertheless, be sure to take the time to enjoy each others presence this holiday. If you are looking for something to do with your family, check out Top 10 Easter Activities for Families.

We are ready for Easter weekend. Are you? Luckily, it’s not too late to order your Easter turkey, chicken, ham, duck or rabbit. View our selection or call our farm store, today!