So, if you’ve already decided whether it’s turkey or ham this year, it’s time to think about what will accompany your Easter feast.
Remember, we eat with our eyes first, so a rainbow of colours on the plate sings celebration! And while traditional roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes hit all the right taste notes, colour can lift your meal a notch or two.
Before we get to vegetables, a couple of easy additions are Farm Boy™ Turkey Gravy, made from the roasted turkey bones for a deep, rich flavour, and Farm Boy™ Cranberry Sauce with Ginger. Bright, tart and sweet all at once, it is made fresh by the Farm Boy chefs with warm cranberries simmered in ginger. And it delivers a colourful punch to any plate.
Brussels sprouts are an easy winter vegetable to add a hit of green. This simple Air Fryer recipe is the perfect way to convert all those Brussels naysayers at your table. Many profess to dislike the bitter taste or soggy boiled versions of this vibrantly green mini cabbage, however, this recipe will change their minds. Crispy, crunchy and with hits of salty and sweet thanks to cubes of pancetta and a drizzle of maple syrup, not only will they look great on the plate, but they are packed with fibre, vitamin K and C, as well as antioxidants to boost the immune system. What’s not to love?
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts make a spectacular side dish any day of the week, and are a classic dish to serve on special occasions. The pairing of pancetta with maple syrup makes the humble sprouts shine. Using an air fryer makes this a quick recipe, but if you don’t have one, you can still make this in the oven – roast at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until sprouts are tender and golden brown and pancetta is crispy. See full recipe here.
Tip: ask one of our Team Members at the Deli counter to slice pancetta 1/8” thick to give you the perfect dice for this recipe.
Another pretty side dish that’s perfect for the gluten sensitive is quinoa. Serve it as a starter, alongside your turkey or ham, or in place of a salad after your main course.
Festive Quinoa pilaf
You can make this recipe year-round, and if you cannot find pomegranates due to the changing seasons, you can use dried apricots or dates instead of the ruby hued arils. See full recipe here.
Once you’ve wrestled with the main meal and all the dishes, it’s probably a good idea to have a prepared dessert ready to go.
Maple Almond Cheesecake
Best made ahead, easy to serve, creamy and rich, this cheesecake will satisfy even the sweetest of tooths. With its focus on maple syrup, this is a celebration of Canada’s quintessential flavour and the spring maple syrup run. You can freeze leftovers and use the caramel sauce over ice cream at another time. See full recipe here.
