Easter is a time to gather family and friends around a table fit for all tastes (and diets!). Gone are the days of huge cuts of meat—we suggest filling your table with a selection of juicy pieces of meat, light fish recipes, and plant-based protein. And don’t forget about the chocolate treats loved by young and old alike. Get ready to impress all your guests with our Easter feast!
Cheers to spring!
After the storms, the freezing cold, and the shortened days of winter, do we really need a reason to raise our glasses and toast to spring? To honour our national emblem, why not serve your guests a sugar shack-inspired glass of bubbly? In a shaker filled with ice, pour 1 oz of gin, grapefruit juice, and maple syrup. Shake vigorously, then strain into a glass filled halfway with your favourite bubbly. Garnish with a lemon twist and get ready for your guests to ask for seconds!
If you (or any of your guests) prefer a mocktail, try this coco-lavender lemonade, which boasts unique flavours like lavender, and whose pretty purple hue is reminiscent of spring and Easter.
A wow-worthy appetizer
If you want to tantalize the taste buds of your guests with a starter, you might as well go all out! To accompany your maple drink, try this recipe for maple-glazed tofu with sesame seeds. Slightly spicey thanks to the sambal oelek and ginger, these small golden cubes are sure to fly off the table (so we suggest you skip the small talk and enjoy them while you can!).
Otherwise, this creamy vegan artichoke-spinach dip will certainly get people talking when served hot out of the oven on croutons. Store-bought dip has got nothing on this recipe!
And if you really want to impress, whip up a batch of these shrimp and brie bundles, which are adorable tied up with chives. With these little bites, get ready to take everyone’s taste buds on an unforgettable culinary journey!
A memorable main
For the main course, you can, of course, serve a plate of traditional (and much-loved) Quebec pork, but why not try something other than the classic pineapple ham? For something fresh and flavourful, we suggest making this pasta salad with organic bacon, coated in homemade aioli and tossed with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and basil.
If the children had fun painting Easter eggs, use the egg yoks and whites to make a quiche Lorraine, where of course ham (or bacon) stars alongside the robust flavours of gruyere.
For a feast fit for lovers of red meat, try this recipe for beef steak with dark chocolate sauce (which fits perfectly with the Easter theme!). Both classic and bold, thanks to the thyme, red wine, and balsamic vinegar, this dish is sure to take you back to familiar territory. For superior quality, organic, and grass-fed local beef, opt for 8 Acres products.
In the mood for maple, but don’t want anything overly sweet? Grab a piece of tender white fish and make this grilled tilapia with quinoa, macadamia nuts, and maple syrup vinaigrette. If you’re more a fan of salmon, try it with a maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and soya sauce glaze. Or for something a little more decadent, top your fillet with this rich and creamy melted cheese béchamel.
Another tasty option are these vegan tourtières (who says tourtières are just for the holidays?), where the cooked millet resembles the texture of meat, while the mushrooms, onions, kale, herbs, and spices offer flavours that are sure to delight the whole family.
A sweet finale
To end the night on a sweet note, we have a selection of decadent desserts to choose from (which no one will be able to resist—no matter how stuffed they are from the meal!). To start things off? This delicious pistachio and avocado pie, featuring chocolate and maple syrup.
Really want to amaze your guests? This molten chocolate and beet cake topped with poached pear will reap all the (fully deserved) accolades. For a quicker version, try these chocolate and pear soufflés, which will impress just as much.
Express dessert par excellence, chocolate mousse never fails to delight. It can be prepared using a minimum of ingredients and time, all while offering maximum flavour and creaminess. To celebrate Easter, you can serve your mousse in individual portions and decorate them with small eggs covered with crunchy sugar, a piece of chocolate egg in the centre, or small praline chocolates in the shape of eggs, rabbits, or chickens.
For those who are less fond of chocolate, you can serve a yummy vegan pouding chômeur. Maple syrup, brown sugar, and coconut milk make the sauce with which the moist white cake is generously covered. You’ll be transported to the sugar shack in just one bite!
