HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!

Happy Good Friday. Spring is in the air. I can’t believe Easter is here so soon. I have had a bit of spring fever though I do envy those that are getting snow. We are planning our garden. I have started in my Rose Garden, and hubby bought four new apple trees.  He came home with three flats of strawberries as well.  I put several in a planter that I like to have them in, and he is making a large patch next to the planned garden.

I have a bunch of bulbs to plant very soon, and we have lots of raspberries blackberries, blueberries, and even grapes my hubby bought. I will enjoy the rewards, but I am leaving the planting to him. LOL. I have some seeds I plan to try to start for my veggies and flowers but will buy some tomatoes and peppers after getting this all planted..hopefully, in the next few days if it quits raining.

For Easter, I am hoping the kids come over. I haven’t seen Daenerys in months except on the internet. My daughter, of course, keeps posting awesome pictures!

Instead of ham this year, I think I am going to make an applewood and cracked pepper wrapped Pork Loin, Corn fritters or cauliflower poppers, broccoli casserole scalloped potatoes, bunny shaped cheesy bread,  Deviled Easter eggs. Strawberry cupcakes and berry fluff for dessert.

 

I don’t have any pictures since I haven’t cooked this yet.

For the Pork Loin, you need pork loin( I am cooking 4 lbs) I am feeding at least 9 or 10 people

pork loin( I am cooking 4 lbs)

One package bacon ( I like a thick slice)

Cracked pepper

Salt

Applewood seasoning.

Toothpicks or twine

Rince loin, season with salt and applewood seasoning. Wrap with bacon slices securing the ends with toothpicks (be sure to remove before serving.) Season the bacon with the pepper go light if you have several kids eating, it does get hot if you use very much.  Roast in a pre-heated oven at 4 25 degrees for 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 155degrees. Change temperature to broil.  Broil, turning until bacon is crisp all around.  Take out of the oven, wrap in foil and let rest for about 10 minutes or until the thermometer is at  160 degrees.

 

Scalloped or as we call them cheesy baked potato slices.

Approximately 4-5 pounds of potatoes I generally gauge a large potato per person then toss in one extra.I rather have more than enough than not enough.

Four tablespoons butter,

4 tbsp cornstarch

1 and a half cups milk

1 8 ounces block of Colby jack cheese and one-half block mozzarella cheese. Shredded

Onion powder, garlic powder,  salt, and pepper

Prepare a large casserole dish with either butter or spray( I use the cooking spray) Preheat of to 375.

Wash potatoes peel if you wish ( I do unless they are a thin skin red.) Slice thinly. I have a mandolin  I use. I also sometimes use the food processor. 4- 5 cups is a good amount.

When I don’t have kids eating, I thinly slice red onion as well. This week I will leave out the onion.

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan with cornstarch ( flour can be substituted)  a TSP of Garlic and a TSP of onion powder.  Slowly add milk whisking. Cook until slightly thickened add all the mozzarella and ¾ of the Colby jack. Stir until smooth.

Pour a small amount into the casserole dish add a layer of potatoes half the remaining sauce, another layer of potatoes add the rest of sauce cook  45 minutes or until potatoes are tender, and the sauce is bubbly. Right before serving add remaining cheese and put back in oven long enough to bake.

For more recipes with better measurements check out food .com, Food Network and Allrecipes are some of my favorites.

 

Broccoli casserole

Two bags froze broccoli

3 TBS butter plus another three more.

3 TBS of cornstarch ( or flour)

I 8 oz block of cheddar shredded (or Colby) for a bit of a zing use pepper jack. ( I may make to 8x eight dishes one with the cheddar one with pepper jack. ( if so divide the other ingredients in half one for each recipe ( make the sauce up to  adding cheese then divide)

Salt, pepper, onion powder( I use this in place of onions when I have kids over that don’t like the onions)

One can even milk plus ¼ cup milk

2 sleeves buttery round crackers

This one I have to say I cheat and use bagged broccoli. My bags are small, so I am using two.  I toss in the microwave for about 2 minutes just long enough to defrost and lightly steam.

Prepare dishes with cooking spray Preheat oven to 350.

Melt  3 TBS of butter in a heavy saucepan add salt pepper and onion salt, add the cornstarch and cook until thickened but not brown add in the milk and even milk whisking as you add. Whisk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat add cheese stir until smooth add broccoli and pour into dish. Melt the other three TBS of butter. Add crushed crackers. Spread on top of the casserole and bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

 

Corn fritters

This was a treat when mom made them.

One can cream style corn

One can of whole kernel or 1 bag of frozen.

2 eggs

Salt

Pepper

Enough flour to thicken ( about ¼ cup) I have switched to corn starch it makes them lighter)

Mix all ingredients. They should be like a thick pancake batter drop by spoonfuls in a hot deep fryer fry until they float (  or golden brown)  remove to a platter with platter towels to drain.

 

Deviled Easter egg chicks. I am combining two things I saw on Pinterest.One where the egg is colored the other, they look like chicks.

One dozen ( or 2 depending on the size of gathering)  hard boiled eggs. I now back mine in a muffin tin..fill cups half full of water bake at 350 for 25 minutes then let sit in ice bath for 10 minutes. Perfect eggs every time.

Cut eggs vertically in a zigzag pattern instead of in half about ¾. Scoop out center, mix it with mayo salt pepper and about 1/8^th tsp dijon mustard. Dip the whites in dishes of food grade(edible) egg die)  I am doing mostly yellow, so they look like chicks.  Let dry ( cut a small slice off the bottom so they will stand. Fill the bottom wth yolk mixture keeping it up a bit. Place top on but make sure you can see some yellow. It will look like a chick peeking out of a broken shell.

Here you can see  one on  Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268667933998728821/

The deviled chick All Recipes (my go-to place for good recipes that are usually easy) http://allrecipes.com/recipe/237339/easter-chick-deviled-eggs/

 

Here is the Pinterest board for The Cheesy Bunny Bread the recipe is at Betty Crocker.com.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/26599454028115319/

 

The cupcakes will from a box ( I may make carrot cake too or instead)

What are you having for Easter? Do you have a favorite go-to dish or trying something new?

If you can Dream it~~You can do it!