5 Steps to Hosting Easter with Ease
Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch, dinner, or just wrangling a few loved ones around a table, one thing’s for sure: the food can be memorable without being complicated.
1) Use a simple format for menu planning
Here’s an easy outline:
1 protein: brined and seared chicken breasts (instead of a whole bird), meatballs, colossal dish of pasta… whatever feels right
2-3 sides: one should be green! (roasted broccoli, salad, grilled zucchini)
1 carb: Potatoes? Rice? Or ask a guest to bring a good-looking loaf!
1 sweet: a bakery pie and ice cream, cookies, or cinnamon rolls
1 fun drink: iced tea with herbs, a sparkling lemonade w/ your fav LaCroix, or a seasonal cocktail
Avoid the Monday morning, “I made way too much food,” realization when you see your fridge full of leftovers. Set your menu, visualize the whole meal, and decide where you might want to save time or splurge!
2) Do What You Can the Day Before
Doing all of the prep, cooking, and cleaning in one day can be a lot. Try some of these:
Cook a dish or two the night before, store in an oven-safe container for easy reheating
When you do the grocery shopping, cut the vegetables and marinate the meats before putting everything away.
Pasta and potato salads or similar chilled dishes will become more flavorful overnight.
Make sure the sink or dishwasher is clear, and take out the trash!
3) Store-Bought Is Self-Care
Repeat after me: not everything has to be homemade.
Buy the rolls. Grab a dessert or three. Pick up a dip or pre-cut veggies. Tap into your inner Sandra Lee and use your own touch to jazz up something that is premade.
When it’s time to sit down and eat, you want to be able to relax and enjoy yourself!
4) Give Guests a Task (They’ll Love It)
When guests arrive or inevitably pop their heads into the kitchen asking, “need any help in there??” Be ready to say yes! Sometimes it feels easiest to say no, I’ve got it, but something small can help bring us together.
Try these:
Picking herbs for garnish
Slicing lemons or limes for water
Choosing a tea for iced tea
Pouring drinks or plating dessert/appetizers
Folding napkins (bonus points if they’re shaped like bunnies)
Arranging deviled eggs or setting out snacks
Taking a photo of the table before it gets destroyed
People want to help, they just need an easy on-ramp.
5) Grace > Perfection
Things might not go according to plan. You might forget the dressing or overcook the Brussels. Guess what? It’s still a beautiful meal!!
Hosting is an act of love and doesn’t require perfection. Celebrate, have fun, and make a note in your calendar if anyone needs to be un-invited next year…
