22
FOOD
Easter Bites
Recipes for Easter celebrations
AAfter weeks of trying to keep
Lenten promises, some of us will
be ready for a delicious feast
on Easter Sunday. Throughout
Europe, as well as enjoying plenty of
chocolate eggs, Easter is a time to enjoy a
special meal with friends and family. In this
case, giving plenty of opportunity to enjoy the
versatility of French cheeses.
If you are planning an Easter celebration,
impress guests with some delicious Morbier
arancini. Morbier semi soft cheese with a
distinctive line of ash pressed into its centre,
it has a persistent aroma and a light creamy,
almost fruity taste. Its soft yielding texture
melts very well which gives the arancini a
gooey goodness. It's also a great cheese to
add to pizzas, pies and to use as per raclette,
which is famous for its meltingness.
For a lighter aperitif use fromage frais to
create stuffed cherry tomatoes by mixing
with spices, aromatic herbs, garlic or onion
for a tasty dip or spread. These little bites are
fresh, tasty and a good option for those who
want to leave plenty of room for the main
course. Place any leftover filling into a bowl to
spread onto freshly baked bread.
Sneaky vegetables
Tradition has long been to eat lamb at Easter,
as the meat is beautiful at this time of year
and is much appreciated by those who
celebrate throughout Europe. For an extra
special side dish or a vegetarian main, carrot
gnocchi with Saint-Félicien is a bright and
indulgent side dish and a great way to sneak
some vegetables onto the children's plates
too.
If you have a little more time on the day,
try a carrot, cumin and Cantal soufflé that is
sure to impress your guests. Cantal is a sweet,
nutty cheese made in the centre of France
and is great to cook with.
For a sweet and savoury end to the meal,
opt for a cheese course served with fresh
apples, grapes and figs as well as dried
apricots, cranberries, dates and nuts. Start
with a soft cheese such as Brillat-Savarin
or Camembert, then an uncooked pressed