31 Mar 2015

Something Different at Easter

With Easter just around the corner you’ll have undoubtedly noticed the supermarket aisles filling with chocolate eggs from February! It’s easy to feel as though the whole holiday is a tad predictable, especially with flashes of it appearing earlier and earlier. I found myself the other day finding it hard to muster the enthusiasm shared by the children, eyes wide with the promise of an abundance of chocolate eggs! So this got me inspired to make Easter at my house Something Different!

I’m bored with the cold gloomy weather, I’m ready for spring sunshine and the spirit of the Easter celebrations. To get me in the mood I’m planning a traditional European Easter!

If you’d like inspiration on how to jazz up your Easter celebrations then read on.

I will be inviting family and friends around for drinks before lunch. A glass of fizz served with delicious hot LATVIAN BACON ROLLS will soon have everyone in the party spirit.

RECEIPE FOR QUICK VERSION OF LATVIAN BACON ROLLS

Pre-fry 2 x packets of pancetta pieces or bacon lardons

Pre-fry 1x large well chopped onion

Mix together with finely chopped parsley, season with pepper only, otherwise they will be too salty and set aside.

Traditionally Latvians would use yeast dough but PUFF PASTRY is easy and quick and just as delicious.

Roll out your Puff Pastry or use pastry sheets, cut out circles with a glass or pastry cutter, spoon a tsp of bacon mixture in the centre and fold pastry over to make a crescent shape.

Place your bacon rolls on a baking sheet, glaze with beaten egg and pop into preheated oven and bake until brown.

Best served hot but these can be frozen and when necessary just pop them in the oven for a few minutes before serving

So easy, so delicious!

Table Décor

A few simple touches can transform Easter dinner from Sunday roast, to fun celebration. A center piece is key. this year I’ll be using a center piece candelabra and egg candles giving an unusual twist on the Easter theme. I’ll be combining this with a vase of colourful faux tulips mixed with Samosa blossom, which will last throughout the whole of spring and into next year’s Easter celebrations.

In keeping with the vibrant colours of Easter, and the table center piece, I dot strategically placed serving trays and bowls for function as well as style. Foodies say you eat with your eyes, and a beautifully colourful and uplifting Easter dining table will leave your guests mouth-watering for the main.

Easter Gifts

While the children are overjoyed with receiving as many chocolate eggs as they can carry, I wanted to find a suitable alternative for diet conscious relatives whose appreciation for armfuls of chocolate may not be shared.

So, for the adults I have selected some beautifully designed, handmade Pysanky ceramic eggs. These look great on a mantelpiece, bookshelf or coffee table all year round and are always a talking point.

The Pysanky egg is a traditional Ukrainian art of decorating eggs, especially at Easter. The eggs are blown and then dyed using wax resist to produce the beautiful intricate designs you see here. The eggs are not painted making it a very long and tedious process. Every egg is completely unique.

The Pysanky eggs at Something Different are exclusively designed and crafted by local artist Kylie Stewart.

I hope these tips have inspired you to have fun with Easter and to try Something Different.

HAPPY EASTER FROM SOMETHING DIFFERENT