A Simple Easter Dinner. Half Baked Harvest from www.halfbakedharvest.comEaster Celebrations in 2023 Easter is a time of celebration and joy for many people around the world. In 2023, Easter will be celebrated on April 16th. This day is marked by various traditions such as Easter egg hunts, decorating eggs, and attending church services. One of the most important aspects of Easter is the dinner that is shared with family and friends. In this article, we will be discussing some Easter dinner ideas that have been inspired by recipes from Half Baked Harvest. Half Baked Harvest Half Baked Harvest is a food blog created by Tieghan Gerard. She shares recipes that are inspired by her family's farm in Colorado. Her recipes are known for their unique flavor combinations and use of fresh ingredients. In this article, we will be using some of her recipes to create a delicious Easter dinner. Appetizers To start off your Easter dinner, you can serve some delicious appetizers. One of the appetizers that you can make is the Whipped Ricotta and Tomato Toast. This recipe is made with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a whipped ricotta spread. It is a light and refreshing appetizer that is perfect for spring. Whipped Ricotta and Tomato Toast Recipe Ingredients: - 1 pint cherry tomatoes - 2 cloves garlic, minced - Olive oil - Salt and pepper - 1/2 cup ricotta cheese - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil - Baguette slices Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 2. On a baking sheet, toss the cherry tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the tomatoes are caramelized. 3. In a food processor, combine the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth and creamy. 4. Spread the whipped ricotta on the baguette slices and top with the roasted tomatoes. Main Course For the main course, you can make the Roasted Rack of Lamb with Mint Chimichurri. This recipe is perfect for Easter dinner as it is a traditional dish that is elevated with a delicious mint chimichurri sauce. Roasted Rack of Lamb with Mint Chimichurri Recipe Ingredients: - 2 racks of lamb, frenched - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme - Salt and pepper - Olive oil - 1 cup fresh mint leaves - 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves - 2 cloves garlic - 1/4 cup red wine vinegar - 1/4 cup olive oil - Salt and pepper Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 2. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil. 3. Rub the mixture all over the lamb racks and let sit for 30 minutes. 4. Place the lamb racks in a roasting pan and roast for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F for medium-rare. 5. In a food processor, combine the mint, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 6. Let the lamb racks rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the mint chimichurri. Side Dishes To accompany the main course, you can serve some delicious side dishes. One of the side dishes that you can make is the Spring Pea and Burrata Salad. This recipe is made with fresh peas, burrata cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette. It is a light and refreshing salad that is perfect for spring. Spring Pea and Burrata Salad Recipe Ingredients: - 4 cups fresh peas - 4 ounces burrata cheese - 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley - Salt and pepper - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 1 teaspoon honey Instructions: 1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for 3-4 minutes or until tender. 2. Drain the peas and rinse under cold water. 3. In a large bowl, combine the peas, burrata cheese, mint, parsley, salt, and pepper. 4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. 5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Dessert To end your Easter dinner on a sweet note, you can serve the Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. This recipe is made with a graham cracker crust, a lemon cheesecake filling, and a blueberry topping. It is a delicious dessert that is perfect for spring. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe Ingredients: - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 16 ounces cream cheese, softened - 3/4 cup sugar - 3 eggs - 1 tablespoon lemon zest - 1/4 cup lemon juice - 1 cup fresh blueberries - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/4 cup water Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. 3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Beat until well combined. 4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the graham cracker crust. 5. In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the blueberries burst and the mixture thickens. 6. Pour the blueberry topping over the cheesecake filling. 7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheesecake is set. 8. Let the cheesecake bars cool before slicing and serving. Conclusion In conclusion, Easter dinner is an important tradition that is celebrated by many people around the world. By using some of the recipes from Half Baked Harvest, you can create a delicious and memorable Easter dinner for your family and friends. From appetizers to desserts, there are many options to choose from that will satisfy everyone's taste buds. So, go ahead and try out these Easter dinner ideas and make your celebration even more special! ...