More Easter Recipes; Veggie Casserole and Spinach and Strawberry Salad!

As the More is More Mom®, I’m all about……more Easter recipes! Spring is such a hopeful time of renewal. What better way to celebrate than by enjoying a tasty meal made with the very freshest ingredients, at a splendidly set table? Today I’m thrilled to share with you the recipes for a Veggie Casserole and a Spinach and Strawberry Salad that you’ll be excited to serve throughout the year.

My Easter Menu included a beautiful Rack of Lamb and Creamy Do Ahead Mashed Potatoes. For those recipes, please visit me at my website:   

https://moreismoremom.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/delicious-easter-recipes-and-a-beautiful-tablescape/

Veggie Casserole:

This is another one of those wonderful recipes that can be assembled the night before. Streamlining the process makes entertaining so much more enjoyable!

 

2 cups of potatoes, peeled and chopped into small cubes

3 cups of sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into small cubes

1 cup of carrots, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1 cup of red bell pepper, cored, sealed and chopped into small pieces

4 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp cracked black pepper

2 tsp coarse sea salt

6 cloves of garlic, minced

1 cup red onion, thinly sliced

2 cups of zucchini, sliced into thin discs

3 cups of tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise, then sliced into horizontally

2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup of bread crumbs

In a large bowl, combine;

Potatoes

Sweet potatoes

Carrots

Red bell peppers

2 Tbsp oil

1 tsp cracked black pepper

1 tsp course sea salt

Butter a 13×9 baking dish

Evenly spread potato mixture in the baking dish

 

Evenly arrange the sliced onions over the potato mixture

Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of olive oil

Sprinkle with ½ tsp cracked black pepper and ½ tsp coarse sea salt

 

Evenly arrange the zucchini slices over the onions

 

Evenly arrange the tomato slices over the zucchini

Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of olive oil

Sprinkle with ½ tsp cracked black pepper and ½ tsp coarse sea salt

In a small bowl, combine;

Grated Parmesan

Bread crumbs

 

Evenly spread over the tomatoes

Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook

Pre-heat oven to 450°

Bake uncovered until the bread crumb mixture is a nice golden brown, approximately 45 minutes

 

Allow to set and cool

Slice and serve

Spinach and Strawberry Salad:

This salad has been a long time family favorite. My pal Judy introduced me to it when I was planning my first grown up dinner party. The secret to a great salad is a homemade dressing. While the fresh strawberries are so fantastic, I make this salad in the winter with candied cranberries.   

2 bags of washed spinach

2 pints of fresh strawberries hulled and sliced

In a jar, combine;

½ cups of sugar

2 Tbsp poppy seeds

1 tsp minced onions

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce

¼ tsp paprika

½ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup red wine vinegar

3-4 strawberries crushed

Shake well

 

Dress spinach and strawberries with vinaigrette

Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and pine nuts if you so desire, but it’s not necessary

Plate and serve

More fantastic side dishes, more fresh ingredients, more Easter celebrations…..

To schedule an Interior Design appointment, or a presentation for your group, please shoot me an email at moreismoremom@aol.com

Spring Fresh Veggie Casserole

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Delicious Easter Recipes and a Beautiful Tablescape….

As the More is More Mom®, I’m all about……..more Easter celebrations! What better way to welcome Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail, than with a delicious luncheon? One of my family’s favorite Easter traditions is enjoying a beautiful rack of lamb. Who knew that my people, who can be super picky and particular, would grow to appreciate such a fine culinary experience?

Fresh Herb Marinated Rack of Lamb with Vinaigrette

Creamy Do Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Veggie Casserole

Strawberry Spinach Salad

 

A fabulous meal deserves an over the top tablescape, and the centerpiece should absolutely set the tone. As a collector of all things interesting and beautiful, I decided that my bunny rabbit weathervane (vintage Target garden department) should take center stage. What I love about it is that it has height, character and dimension. To ground the weathervane, I found squares of artificial grass and I placed six of them together to create a bed. I have an affinity for rabbits, so to fill in some of the vertical space I dug out three moss covered bunnies from my collection of props. Because more of everything is always better, I scattered large colorful eggs amongst the bunnies and grass to create a beautiful and lively centerpiece.

 

To echo the garden theme, I chose a green square topper embellished with cabbage roses. The floral topper is another great source of inspiration. One possibility would be to fill individual bud vases at each place setting with a small mound of roses. That would actually be a beautiful party favor for your guests to take home. Another idea to draw from the floral topper would be to carry that theme into other parts of your home. A gorgeous bouquet would be lovely in your foyer, living room, kitchen or powder room. Such attention to detail is what makes our homes especially well appointed. Whether for your own home or a thoughtful gift, a beautiful source for flower delivery  at home is Serenata Flowers.

As we continue setting the table, my blue tablecloth highlights the blue flowers in the topper. Pink hydrangea placemats are topped with silver hobnail trim chargers. While a plain white dinner plate can be ho-hum boring, my Lenox scalloped edge plates, embossed with butterflies, vines and flowers are a total go to favorite. Polka dot salad plates dance with all of the colors in my topper and pink napkins with white Swiss dots compliment my tablescape. My favorite part of the place setting is the white bunny rabbit napkin rings. They are in fact the piece that started my creating a beautiful home obsession 21 years ago. I found six of them at Marshall Fields on State Street on extreme clearance for $.69 a piece…….

I find that entertaining is so much easier when you choose recipes that can largely be prepared ahead of time. With this menu, all I needed to do was pre-heat the ovens, pop in the potatoes and casserole, toss the salad and sear the lamb before it went in the oven for a mere 20 minutes. Super simple!

 

Fresh Herb Marinated Rack of Lamb with Vinaigrette:

This recipe is good for 4 racks of lamb, or 32 ribs. I think it’s safe to estimate 3-4 per person, though the left-over’s are to die for.

For the lamb:

¼ cup fresh mint chopped

¼ cup fresh basil chopped

¼ cup green onions chopped

2 Tbsp fresh oregano chopped

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp olive oil

4 racks of lamb

In a small bowl, combine;

Mint

Basil

Green onions

Oregano

Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil

Line a baking dish with aluminum foil

Generously rub mixture all over the lamb

Cover and chill overnight

Pre-heat oven to 375°

In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil

In batches, sear lamb and place back in the baking dish

Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer reaches 145°

Remove from the oven and place on a cutting board

Tent with foil

Slice and serve with vinaigrette

Vinaigrette:

I make the vinaigrette the night before, only I hold off on adding the tomatoes until the last minute.

1 ¼ cups olive oil

¾ cup fresh chopped mint

¾ cup fresh chopped basil

10 Tbsp red wine vinegar

2 ½ Tbsp fresh chopped oregano

4 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup chopped tomatoes (I wrap in a paper-towel and store overnight in a small Zip-loc baggie)

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Bring to room temperature before serving

Creamy Do Ahead Mashed Potatoes:

These are my very favorite holiday potatoes because they are creamy goodness minus the messy clean up after dinner.

In a large bowl, place;

1 package of cream cheese

1 stick of butter

½ cup of chopped green onions or chives

Peel 5 lbs of potatoes

Chop into 1-2” cubes

Boil until fork tender

Drain and pour into bowl with cream cheese, butter and green onions

Using a hand mixer, beat until nice and creamy

Butter a 13×9 baking dish

Pour in the potato mixture

Refrigerate overnight

Pre-heat oven to 350°

Cook for approximately 1- 1 ½ hours, until just golden

Allow to set for about 15 minutes and serve

 

Visit me on Wednesday, April 20^th, for the recipe for the Veggie Casserole and the Spinach and Strawberry Salad.

More Easter celebrations, more beautiful tablescapes, more delicious meals, more time together…..

To inquire about an interior design consultation, please shoot me an email at moreismoremom@aol.com

Fresh Herb Marinated Rack Of Lamb With Vinaigrette