If you know the story of Easter, which says that Jesus spent his last evening with his disciples, anointed their heads, and shared his last meal with them, then you know that Easter is a perfect time to come together with friends and family and enjoy some delicious meals and fun activities. So, in the spirit of the long-standing tradition, here are our top Easter Dinner ideas to share with your family this season.

Honey And Mustard Pulled Pork

 This boneless pork shoulder is marinated in a tasty mustard and honey marinade that will have you obsessed for the rest of your life. It comes in a cooking bag for use during the process. Put the bag in your roasting tray with a tiny amount of water and wrap it with tinfoil for optimal results. 

Preheat your oven to 150 degrees and roast the pork for about 75 minutes. This cooking method is healthier since the shoulder simply cooks in its own juices, which keeps the flesh juicy, succulent, and sliding off the bone. Serve with BBQ sauce on buns.

Turkey And Mash Dinner

This meal consists of turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and potatoes, and it is easy to prepare. This tender and tasty turkey breast is ideal for a family of four. It comes enclosed in a cooking bag which easily be placed in the oven and cooked. For best results, place the bag in a roasting tray, adding a small amount of water to the tray and cover with tinfoil. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 150 degrees. This is a cleaner way of cooking as the turkey cooks in its own natural juices, keeping the meat moist and succulent.

Next, prepare side dishes. Cook potatoes till soft, then slice and soak them in a cream and garlic sauce before mashing them till lump-free. Use carrots and peas for vegetables; simmer them in water for a few minutes until cooked. 

Serve as directed above. Afterward, relax with a cup of tea and some delicious chocolate Easter egg.

Savory Fried Potatoes

This classic dish consists of fried potato slices, onions, and Mallon’s sausage and bacon. Caramelise the onions to a sweet taste and cook the bacon to crispy perfection. When you combine this with the nutty flavours of butter-fried potatoes, you’ve got a winning combo that’ll leave you feeling completely satisfied.

It’s a superb way to utilise any leftover potatoes, or you can just boil some if you don’t have any. Use waxy potatoes because they contain more moisture and less starch than floury. They are also creamier, firmer, and maintain their shape when cooked so that you can slice them with ease.  

Remember to fry the waxy potato pieces in butter and turn them once one side has browned. Serve with stuffed chicken breasts or home cured gammon. 

Rack of Lamb

 The rosemary and garlic-marinated French cut rack of lamb is a fantastic classic. This is the dish to make if you want a delicious Easter lunch to share with your family and friends. Racks of lamb are some of the softest and juicy parts of a lamb, yet holding many flavours. When properly frenched, this works as a stunning centrepiece that shouts luxury.

This rack of lamb comes enclosed in a cooking bag which is designed to be placed in the oven and cooked. This is a cleaner way of cooking as the loin cooks in its own natural juices keeping the meat moist and succulent.

Butterfly leg of lamb 

Roasting a leg of lamb is as simple as grilling a chicken. Arthur Mallon’s Foodhall serve a delicious lean boneless joint of the leg of lamb which is coated in a rosemary and garlic marinade and is sure to be a family favourite.

All you have to do is pop it onto a roasting tray, adding a small amount of water to the tray, and cover with tinfoil. Then cook it for one hour and forty minutes so it cooks evenly.

Leave it to rest for a few minutes before serving with honey-glazed carrots or grilled asparagus. 

Hawaiian Chicken

This is a delectable stuffed chicken fillet covered in bacon and pineapple that will have your Easter visitors raving. The recipe is quite simple to make. Whisk together pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, sriracha, and garlic in a medium bowl. Toss the chicken into a resealable bag, add the ingredients, and toss gently to coat. 

Refrigerate overnight to marinade. Remove the chicken from the fridge and wrap each section with a piece of bacon before threading it onto a skewer. Grill over medium heat in a pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Meanwhile, combine pineapple chunks, ketchup, teriyaki sauce, garlic clove, brown sugar, and grated ginger in a food processor till smooth.

Or if you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen, look no further than Arthur Mallon’s Foodhall where you can purchase stuffed Irish chicken fillets wrapped in bacon and pineapple – saving you time and money! Serve the chicken with rice and pineapple sauce; use coriander as a garnish if desired

Homemade Shepherd’s Pie

This savoury beef and pork mince dish with creamy mashed potatoes is also a great Easter lunch or dinner option. It’s the ultimate comfort food, with the great flavours of the pork and gravy filling coupled with the fluffy potatoes!

Begin by preparing potatoes. Make use of any leftovers or start from scratch. Cook until soft in a pan, then drain excess water and simmer for a few minutes in a pot. After that, mash them and stir in butter, milk, sour cream, parmesan cheese, pepper, and salt until smooth.

After browning the meat, prepare the gravy by adding onion, carrots, and celery, then sautéing for about 7 minutes until soft. Mix in flour and garlic and cook for about a minute, then add tomato paste, beef broth, herbs, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. 

Gently boil it and then reduce the heat and cook for about 5 minutes. Taste and season with additional seasonings if necessary. Get rid of the bay leaves and add corn, frozen peas, and cooked meat. Finally, put the pie together and bake until brown and bubbly. Allow it for 15 minutes to cool and thicken before serving.

Available on Arthur Mallon’s Foodhall is a prepared homemade shepherd’s piece. The traditional dish is a family favourite and is perfect for large Easter gatherings. We recommend reheating this product for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees until piping hot. This portion serves 10-12 people. Serve with fresh fruit salad or homemade rolls to keep the whole family happy.  

Wrap-up

From meat-only recipes to combinations loaded with potatoes and leafy greens, Easter meals celebrate the end of Lent and the arrival of spring. Get inspired by the above recipes and let loose your super chef alter-ego. Alternatively, you can always order an already prepared meal, and we’ll be glad to whip up any of the above recipes plus some for you. Visit this page for more recipes.