ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030068
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES FOOD EDITOR
Easter brings to mind myriad images, such as bunnies, bonnets and colorful eggs. It conjures up visions of lavish meals, starring lamb, ham or fancily fixed fowl.
Happily, all of these elements can easily be part of your Easter celebration this year.
Honey glazes are one way to simplify the meal's meat centerpiece. For little effort, they give baked and roasted meats moisture, flavor and a rich, caramelized coating.
A baked carrot ring that can be partially prepared ahead of time is another contender for center attraction. Serve it filled with sweet new spring peas - just now coming into season - and surround it with other fresh seasonal vegetables.
Complete the meal with beautiful Easter Bonnet cookies that are surprisingly simple to create. Their decorations can be elegant, precise and oh-so-adult, or crazy, quirky and childishly creative.
After all, much of what goes on at Easter is for children - for eggsample, the numerous hunts, where kids collect way more eggs than they'll ever consume. It's no accident that the egg councils have proclaimed the week after Easter as National Egg Salad Week.
If you find yourself overeggstended, make a White Egg Salad by combining 8 boiled egg whites, chopped; 1/4 cup light mayonnaise; 1 tsp. curry powder; 1/4 cup minced celery; and 1/4 cup chopped bottled chutney. Cover and chill well to make four flavorful servings appropriate for stuffing into tomatoes, artichokes, avocados or pita pockets.
Or make an Egg and Broccoli Salad by chopping, as finely as desired, 1 bunch broccoli; 1/2 cup onions; and 4 hard-cooked eggs. Combine with 1/2 cup light mayonnaise, season with salt and pepper to taste, and chill. Just before serving, lightly toss with 1/2 cup Spanish olives.
One Easter event the kids will go bonkers over is a Mad Hatter Tea Party. Weather permitting, set a small table outdoors. Cover it with a festive cloth, and arrange a simple centerpiece of spring flowers and decorated eggs. Set each place with a child-size plate, fork, spoon, fancy napkin and an individual basket of treats. On each plate, place an edible ``Mad Hatter Teacup'' and a bunny-shaped sandwich in a nest of alfalfa sprouts.
Bake or purchase miniature carrot cupcakes and decorate them with cream cheese frosting and a tiny carrot made from a wedge of orange slice candy and a candy spearmint leaf. Pass the other sandwiches and sweets.
So, what are you waiting for? Hop to it! Happy Easter.
FAVORITE CARROT RING
EASTER BONNET COOKIES
EASY CONFECTIONERS GLAZE
HONEY CHUTNEY GLAZED ROAST LAMB
HONEY WHISKEY CLOVE GLAZED HAM
SMOKY HONEY-PEPPERCORN GLAZED CHICKEN
MAD HATTER TEACUPS (see microfilm for recipes.)
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. & 2. Easy-to-make honey glazes will lend sweetnessby CNBand tradition to your holiday meal, whether your centerpiece is ham
(left) or chicken (above). color
3. Easter Bonnet Cookies are sure to delight children and adults
alike. color