The Budget Chef
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Easter Entertaining Ideas
Easter Entertaining Ideas by Patricia Mendez Copyright 2009
I have always loved Easter. Easter eggs, Easter bonnets, egg hunts, family gatherings, Sunday school and of course, Easter baskets all endeared me to this special holiday. This is the perfect occasion to invite your family members and friends into your home for good food and warm hospitality.
Either host a traditional dinner or if you live where the weather is warmer, have a casual barbeque. You will create happy family memories for your children and loved ones. In this column, I have included table setting ideas, activities and 2 delicious recipes for you to try. Refer to last week’s column for an easy entertaining Easter menu.
Table Setting Ideas:
Use Easter candy to decorate your table. Place jelly beans, robin eggs, foiled colored chocolate eggs in different shaped glass containers and place around the table or in a grouping.
Use a pastel-colored tablecloth such as sunny yellow or vibrant pink. Use white dishware if you have it.
Place a small, chocolate bunny at each place setting.
Place a low vase of tulips, daffodils or hyacinths on the table or pick up blooming bulbs in a pot at your local garden center for a table decoration. Plant in your flower bed after the holiday.
Place colored hard-boiled eggs in a beautiful dish.
If you have any ceramic bunnies, use those on your tablescape.
Activities:
To organize an Easter egg hunt, purchase inexpensive plastic eggs and fill with candy, coins and treats. If weather permits, hide them in inconspicuous places around your yard. If you have very young children, hide them in more obvious places. Let each child use their own Easter baskets to hold the eggs they find. Prepare about 8-10 eggs per child.
It would be a good idea to have another activity or craft for the children who attend. Visit a craft store or shop online at Amazon.com/toys or OrientalTrading.com for inexpensive craft kits with everything needed for the kids to make something fun. Budget-friendly Foamies brand crafts have lots of cute kits that keep kids interested and keep messes to a minimum.
Phyllo Raspberry Cheese Tarts
Makes 15 pieces
1 (2.1 ounce) package frozen mini-phyllo pastry shells, thawed
1 wedge brie cheese
1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place pastry shells in ungreased mini-muffin pan or baking sheet and bake according to package directions. Meanwhile cut 15 - 1 inch squares of brie and place one in each tart shell immediately after baking. Return to hot oven for 1-2 minutes until cheese is slightly melted and top with 1 teaspoon raspberry jam and serve immediately.
Strawberry Cream Squares
Serves 9
1 (16.5 oz.) roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
4 cups strawberries, fresh, sliced
1 ¼ cups sugar
¼ cup water
Pinch salt
2 (1/4 oz.) envelopes unflavored gelatin (baking aisle)
1/3 cup cold water
1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Press half of the sugar cookie dough into the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan. (Use the other half for cookies). Bake cookie crust for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool.
In a small saucepan, bring strawberries, sugar, ¼ cup water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let thicken for 1-2 minutes and stir into strawberry mixture. Simmer until gelatin dissolves (about 1 minute) and remove from heat.
Cover and refrigerate until completely cool, 2 hours. Fold in whipped topping or whipped cream, refrigerate 1 more hour and spread over cookie crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. May be made one day in advance.
Patricia is the author of the book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners. The book is an award-winning finalist in the cookbook: general category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.
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