A collection of over 15 healthy and simple recipes to serve for Easter Brunch. Small batch recipes for smaller gatherings, and festive tiny bites for an informal appetizer party!
Well, this is certainly not the Easter celebration I thought we would be having this year.
I just started hosting Easter for my family in NYC about 3 years ago, cozily squeezing 10 people into our one-bedroom apartment. I have changed the menu every year (I don't like sameness) playing with a new theme and finding ways to add in family favorites while executing totally new recipes and flavors.
Last year I paid homage to a recent trip to Israel with a middle-eastern feast! Shwarma spiced leg of lamb as the centerpiece (the lamb recipe came from Ottolenghi's cookbook, Jerusalem), shakshuka spiced dumplings (a Hungarian/ Israeli mash up!), Za'atar feta farro salad, and about 10 more dishes. This year I was thinking about playing with a New Orleans theme, Jordan makes an unbelievable gumbo and we all love creole flavors.
Alas, that isn't happening. It will be a blessing if Jordan (he has been quite ill with COVID-19) has an appetite. I am planning on leaning on some of my favorite staple recipes and seeing what the day brings. Risotto, scallops, lemon pasta… these are the flavors that sound good to me right now.
An informal celebration, for sure. I'm sure your plans have also changed dramatically from previous years. If you too are looking for simple healthy recipes that celebrate the season without hours of prep work, please allow this list to be your guide.
Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday. I look forward to planning an elaborate feast next year when all of this is behind us.
FESTIVE SMALL BITES
A plentitude of small bites is where it's at this year. I'm envisioning small bites throughout the day and then one simple entree to complete the celebration. Here are some of my favorite small bites.
Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs
The prettiest deviled eggs around. Pickled eggs are an Easter staple in my family, deviled pickled eggs are my spin on a family classic. How pretty and festive are these eggs!!
Steamed Artichokes with Basil Parmesan Dip
Spring is all about artichokes! Simply steamed with a creamy basil parmesan dip. Yup, I could eat just this platter of artichokes and be quite happy.
Beet Sumac Hummus Snack Plate
I'm going for a pink theme this year. A gorgeous plate of spring veggies with simple healthy beet hummus.
5-MINUTE GREEN GODDESS RICOTTA DIP
You are going to love this Green Goddess Ricotta Dip! Creamy ricotta cheese with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Simple enough to throw together at a moment's notice, delicious enough to make over and over again. Serve with fresh seasonal veggies!
Matcha Cashew Butter Fancy Toast
Basically green and pink food make me happy. Also this matcha cashew butter is SO DELISH!
Strawberry Banana Bread Muffins
Grain-free, sweet and delicious. These look like Easter morning to me.
HEALTHY EASTER MAIN RECIPES
From simple egg dishes to pasta. Keep it simple this year with whatever produce and pantry staples you have around.
Smoked Salmon and Fresh Herb Fritatta
Perfect as the main for an informal Easter brunch.
Scallop Nicoise Salad
I'm pretty sure this is what we are going to have this year. Just Jordan and I and two big beautiful bowls of salad.
Perfectly Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese and Ramps
If you have the great privilege of living close enough to a market that sells ramps do yourself the greatest favor and buy some, make this dish and call it a day. Ramps are truly a love letter to spring and they make me so happy.
Sheet Pan Roasted Shrimp and Cauliflower with Meyer Lemon Salsa
Perfectly roasted shrimp and cauliflower with an herby lemon salsa that you will make over and over again. Perfect for 2 people.
Creamy Lemon Risotto
My favorite risotto recipe ever, ever, ever! Simple spring risotto is all I need in the world right now.
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA SALAD WITH WARM HALLOUMI CHEESE
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with grilled halloumi cheese and a tangy sumac vinaigrette. Great for a quick and healthy lunch packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients!
Vegan Creamy Lemon Pasta
Creamy lemon pasta with peas and fresh spinach. I have a thing for lemon recipes, I have a very serious thing for this lemon pasta recipe.
Mediterranean Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Salad
Creamy feta cheese, lots of fresh dill, roasted veggies and shrimp tossed with orzo pasta. Quick, easy, and delicious but still special enough to serve on a holiday.
Pan-Seared Scallop Pasta with Lemon Parsley Sauce
Pantry staples are doing the heavy lifting here, just toss with fresh parsley (or dried would work) and fresh lemon (necessary). You can easily sub shrimp for the scallops.
Lemon Thyme Roasted Sole and Asparagus
A one-pan dish that is elegant enough for a holiday and simple enough for a quasi-holiday spent under quarantine.
Dill Pesto Pasta with Poached Salmon
The pesto in this recipe is dairy-free made with almonds and avocado, then tossed with poached salmon and fresh or frozen peas.
FESTIVE EASTER DESSERT RECIPES
My mom usually makes a coconut cake for Easter, but she won't share the recipe so I can't share the recipe with you ;-0 Instead here are a few of my favorite healthy(ish) dessert recipes.
GLUTEN-FREE TROPICAL CARROT CAKE
A decadent and delicious layered carrot cake with pineapple, coconut, and pecans for a tropical twist, with a thick classic cream cheese frosting. Made gluten-free, using almond flour and oats, this cake is lower in sugar than traditional carrot cake and made with only real food wholesome ingredients, but piled high with delicious decadence.
LEMON CREAM CHEESE COOKIES
Bold lemon flavor in an incredibly soft and chewy cookie! This lemon cookie recipe is made with cream cheese for a perfectly tangy, sweet, lemony cloud of deliciousness!
Gluten-Free Olive-Oil Lemon Cake
This is my all-time favorite lemon cake recipe with cream cheese lemon frosting, it is just all-around perfect.
Chamomile Cupcakes
I need all the calming help I can get these days, baking with the calming herb chamomile is just what the doctor ordered! These cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Espresso Tahini Brownies
Jordan prefers a chocolate dessert so I'll whip up a batch of our favorite brownies. I'm nice like that.
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These are absolutely amazing and truly brightened my day. Can’t wait to try them all. Thanks for sharing Abra!
Thank You so much for sharing all these beautiful dishes with everyone Abra! What a wonderful celebration of food! Hope your “partner” gets better soon, sounds like you are doing all the right things…you don’t know me but I read your posts all the time and have tried some recipes and love them. Take care dear one…
Thank you so much for the well wishes Diane, they are so appreciated! We are on the mend over here, thank goodness. I’m so so glad you’ve enjoyed some of my recipes, I am eager to be back in full work mode and post more frequently 🙂 Hope you and yours are safe and well!!