*Thank you to Bed Bath & Beyond for sponsoring today’s post. This is a brand we love and use on a regular basis; all opinions are our own.*
Creating a Traditional Easter Dinner
K: I am SO excited about today’s post!! Easter is a meaningful holiday for Brandon and I; we always have a home cooked meal, whether it’s with his family or mine. When Bed Bath & Beyond reached out to see if we were interested in creating a traditional Easter dinner, I jumped at the chance! It’s not very often that we prepare a full blown “traditional” meal since both of our families are in town. I was excited at the chance to host something special and create a memorable Easter meal for those we love.
I’m sharing our exact menu (with recipes) further below, but there were a few key products utilized in the kitchen to really make this meal come together easily. Brandon and I have built up a fantastic collection of cooking items and appliances since we are so regularly in the kitchen. We can’t recommend these enough, simply because you’ll get your use out of them again and again!
Instant Pot: We got our Instant Pot at Christmas and I’ve used it constantly! There are so many great recipes out there that allow dinner to be on the table in twenty minutes or less! I used our Instant Pot for the mashed potatoes of our Easter dinner.
Food Processor: Oh my goodness, I love this food processor! I used it to whip up a batch of homemade salad dressing (so much better than store bought). I’m excited to try making hummus, and even soups in this particular processor.
Non-stick Skillets: So nice that this is a set of skillets. No joke, Brandon and use a skillet every single day so we were due for a fresh update here. Can’t go wrong with non-stick either!
Roasting Pan: This was an item that we were so excited about since neither of us had ever used a formal roasting pan. It was huge (could easily fit a turkey) and the chicken turned out perfectly after a two hour oven roast.
Cooking Pot: Like the skillets, you can always use a great cooking pot for pasta, big batches of soup, etc. This one is so nice and even has a vent on top to help release steam.
Kitchen Aide Mixer: When we registered for kitchen items before marriage, I refrained from putting the kitchen aide mixer on our list. I felt like it was expensive and I had a knockoff version. Now, after using it (and as someone who bakes regularly), let me tell you that it is SO WORTH IT. I love this thing ya’ll. The quality is impeccable and we’re pumped about the additional attachments for homemade pasta or even sausage!
Our Easter Dinner Menu
I grew up in Georgia and Brandon is a true Texan. We take home cooking very seriously. Especially after our road trip of the south, we’ve got a few great recipes that really feel authentic when it comes to home cooking/Southern food.
To start, we wanted to keep things very traditional and went with an herb roasted chicken for the entree. Brandon was in charge there and he did a beautiful job! This is the recipe we followed and it turned out perfect (not too dry like some).
For the side dishes, we did fresh corn, roasted in our new skillet. Instant pot mashed potatoes, a hearty salad with homemade dressing, Mac and cheese, Parker house rolls, and iced tea helped really establish our traditional vibe for true Southern food.
Finally, I made strawberry cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting for dessert. I love the little splash of pink the cupcakes give and this frosting recipe is to die for!! I always keep things simple with a box cupcake mix but take it up a notch with homemade frosting.
The Final Result
I’m so pleased with the way our Easter dinner turned out! We also picked up some pretty new placemats, Egg place card holders, and classic Kate Spade napkins to give the table a beautiful pastel atmosphere for the holiday (all linked at the very end of this post). Fresh blooms and candles always add a special touch to any tablescape and I love how they don’t really steal the attention away from our spread of food haha.
We LOVE hosting. I grew up with a mother who fed everyone and did it effortlessly, with so much class. I always try to emulate her when I’m entertaining, simply because that is how I hope to be as well. We’ve got lots of work, but it’s with practice and encouragement that I continue to host and open up our home. I hope you find some inspiration from this today for your next meal together, whether it’s going to be a big holiday, or just a simple dinner on the couch. Either way, I strongly believe that you can make each moment memorable.
Other Items Used:
Blue placemats, serving bowls, place card eggs (found in store, not online), napkins, napkin rings,
PS: Check out a spring table for more Easter inspiration!