Easter celebrations during the Covid-19 lockdown require adaptation, but can still be filled with delicious food and family traditions. Many households are turning to simple, easy-to-prepare recipes that capture the spirit of the holiday while working with limited ingredients and restricted shopping options.
These straightforward Easter recipes allow families to enjoy festive meals without adding stress during an already challenging time. From classic deviled eggs to lemon-infused asparagus, dishes that come together quickly using pantry staples and readily available produce are ideal. Home cooks are embracing recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, ensuring a special meal without hours spent in the kitchen.
While gatherings may be smaller or virtual this year, food remains a central part of the Easter experience. Sharing family recipes through video calls or preparing traditional dishes can help maintain a sense of normalcy and connection. Simple yet flavorful options like roasted ham, spring vegetable salads, and easy desserts allow people to create a memorable Easter feast while staying safe at home.
Planning Your Easter Menu
Crafting an Easter menu during lockdown requires thoughtful consideration of available ingredients and creative adaptations of traditional dishes. Focus on simple recipes that capture the spirit of the holiday while working with what you have on hand.
Assessing Pantry Basics
Take stock of your pantry and refrigerator before planning your menu. Make a list of shelf-stable items like canned vegetables, dried herbs, and grains. Check expiration dates on baking essentials such as flour, sugar, and yeast.
Inventory proteins like canned tuna, beans, or frozen meats. These can form the base of many Easter dishes. Don’t forget to assess your spice rack – seasonings can transform simple ingredients into festive fare.
Consider ordering non-perishables online to fill gaps in your pantry. This reduces the need for grocery store trips and ensures you have key ingredients for your Easter recipes.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Adapt classic Easter recipes to fit available ingredients. A ham might be swapped for pork chops, or a whole roasted chicken could replace lamb. Simplify side dishes by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh.
Create new traditions with unconventional Easter meals. A spring-themed pasta dish or a hearty vegetable soup can be just as satisfying. Embrace one-pot meals to minimize cleanup and maximize flavors.
Involve family members in menu planning. This can add excitement and help everyone feel included in the holiday preparations. Consider each person’s favorite Easter foods and find ways to incorporate them.
Incorporating Spring Vegetables
Highlight seasonal produce in your Easter menu. Look for spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, and artichokes at local markets or in the frozen section. These can be easily roasted or steamed as side dishes.
Try a spring vegetable quiche or frittata as a centerpiece. This versatile dish can accommodate various vegetables and cheeses. It’s also perfect for using up eggs, a symbol of Easter.
Add freshness to your meal with a crisp salad featuring tender spring greens. Mix in edible flowers like pansies or violets for a festive touch. A light vinaigrette dressing complements the delicate flavors of spring produce.
Easter Main Dishes
Easter feasts call for special main courses that delight the senses and bring people together. Even during lockdown, you can create memorable centerpieces for your holiday table.
Herb-Crusted Lamb
Lamb is a traditional Easter favorite. For a flavorful herb crust, mix chopped rosemary, thyme, and garlic with breadcrumbs and olive oil. Pat this mixture onto a rack of lamb before roasting.
Cook the lamb to your desired doneness – about 20-25 minutes for medium-rare. Let it rest before slicing to ensure juicy, tender meat. Serve with roasted spring vegetables like asparagus and baby carrots.
For a simpler option, try herb-rubbed lamb chops. They cook quickly on the stovetop or grill, perfect for smaller gatherings.
Maple-Glazed Ham
A glazed ham offers classic Easter flavor with minimal effort. Choose a pre-cooked ham and create a glaze using maple syrup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard.
Score the ham’s surface in a diamond pattern. Brush on the glaze during the last 30 minutes of heating. This creates a sweet, caramelized exterior.
Leftovers make great sandwiches or additions to pasta dishes. Don’t forget to save the ham bone for soup!
Vegetarian Delights
Plant-based mains can be just as festive. Try a savory tart filled with roasted spring vegetables and goat cheese. Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience.
Stuffed portobello mushrooms make elegant individual servings. Fill them with a mixture of quinoa, spinach, and feta cheese before baking.
For a showstopping centerpiece, create a layered vegetable terrine. Alternate colorful roasted vegetables with a creamy herb-flecked cheese mixture. Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Savoury Sides
Easter dinner calls for delicious side dishes that complement the main course. These savory options are easy to prepare and bring vibrant flavors to your holiday table.
Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy scalloped potatoes are a classic Easter side dish. Thinly slice 2 pounds of potatoes and layer them in a baking dish. Mix 1 cup of heavy cream with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
Bake at 375°F for 45-60 minutes until golden and bubbly. The potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.
For a twist, add sliced onions or diced ham between the potato layers. This dish can be prepared ahead and reheated on Easter day.
Roasted Asparagus
Fresh asparagus is a spring vegetable perfect for Easter dinner. Trim the woody ends and arrange the spears on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Roast at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until tender-crisp. The tips should be slightly charred. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
For added flavor, wrap asparagus bundles with prosciutto before roasting. This simple side dish highlights the natural sweetness of the asparagus and pairs well with ham or lamb.
Carrot Soufflé
Carrot soufflé is a light and fluffy side dish that adds color to your Easter table. Cook 1 pound of carrots until very soft. Puree them with melted butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla, and eggs.
Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until puffed and golden. The soufflé will have a soft, custard-like texture.
Serve immediately as the soufflé will deflate slightly as it cools. This versatile dish can be made sweeter for a dessert-like side or less sweet for a more savory option.
Sweet Easter Treats
Easter desserts bring joy and sweetness to lockdown celebrations. These simple recipes offer delightful treats using common pantry ingredients.
Easter Cakes and Bakes
Easter-themed cakes and bakes add festive charm to any table. Carrot cake is a classic choice, easily made with grated carrots, flour, and warm spices. For a fun twist, shape the cake into an egg or bunny form using a novelty pan.
Hot cross buns are another traditional favorite. These spiced, fruity buns can be baked at home with basic ingredients like flour, yeast, and dried fruit. The signature cross on top is made from a simple flour and water paste.
Easter nest cakes offer a cute and easy option. Mix shredded wheat or cornflakes with melted chocolate, shape into nests, and top with candy eggs. Kids love helping with this no-bake treat.
Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate cookies satisfy sweet cravings during lockdown Easter celebrations. Basic chocolate chip cookies are always a hit. Add pastel-colored M&Ms for a festive touch.
Easter egg cookies provide a fun decorating activity. Make sugar cookie dough, cut into egg shapes, and let family members decorate with icing and sprinkles. This doubles as a creative lockdown activity.
No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies offer a quick solution when supplies are limited. Combine oats, cocoa, sugar, and butter in a saucepan, then drop spoonfuls onto wax paper to cool.
Fruit Desserts
Fruit-based desserts bring a lighter touch to Easter treats. Lemon bars offer a tangy-sweet option using common pantry staples. The buttery shortbread base is topped with a zesty lemon custard.
Berry trifle makes an impressive dessert with minimal effort. Layer store-bought pound cake with fresh or frozen berries, custard, and whipped cream. This dessert looks fancy but requires no baking.
Fruit salad gets an Easter upgrade with a honey-lime dressing. Combine seasonal fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges. The bright colors mimic Easter egg hues.
Decorating and Presentation Ideas
Easter celebrations during lockdown can still be festive with creative decorating and presentation. Simple touches transform your space and elevate your meal experience.
Setting a Festive Table
Use pastel-colored tablecloths or runners to set the Easter mood. Incorporate fresh spring flowers as centerpieces – daffodils, tulips, or lilies work well. Create personalized place cards with Easter-themed designs or guests’ names written on decorated eggs.
Fold napkins into bunny shapes for a whimsical touch. Scatter chocolate eggs or jelly beans around the table for a sweet surprise. Use tiered cake stands to display appetizers or desserts, adding height and visual interest.
Consider outdoor dining if weather permits, bringing the freshness of spring to your meal. String fairy lights or hang paper lanterns for a magical atmosphere as evening approaches.
Themed Serveware
Incorporate Easter motifs into your serveware choices. Use egg-shaped bowls for salads or side dishes. Select plates with subtle floral or rabbit patterns. Serve drinks in pastel-colored glasses or mason jars with decorative paper straws.
Display hot cross buns or Easter bread in a basket lined with a cheerful gingham napkin. Use bunny-shaped butter molds for an extra special touch. Garnish plates with edible flowers or herb sprigs to enhance the spring theme.
Present desserts on cake plates adorned with Easter grass. Serve individual portions in hollowed-out eggshells for a unique presentation. Use carrot-shaped utensils or cutlery with pastel handles to complete the themed look.
Eco-Friendly Decor
Embrace sustainability with eco-friendly Easter decor. Create a centerpiece using potted herbs or succulents, which can be planted later. Dye eggs naturally using ingredients like beets, turmeric, or onion skins.
Craft paper flowers or garlands from recycled materials. Use fabric scraps to sew reusable napkins or placemats. Make biodegradable confetti from hole-punched leaves for table scatter.
Repurpose glass jars as vases or candle holders, decorating them with twine or pastel ribbon. Create name cards from seed paper that guests can plant at home. Use real grass instead of plastic Easter grass in baskets or as table decor.
Easter Activities Under Lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed traditional Easter celebrations, but creative alternatives allow families to maintain the holiday spirit while staying safe at home. Virtual events, online gatherings, and hands-on crafts offer engaging ways to connect and celebrate.
Virtual Easter Egg Hunts
Virtual Easter egg hunts bring excitement to children and adults alike. Families can set up digital hunts using video conferencing platforms. Parents hide eggs around their home and guide remote participants through the search using their device’s camera. Another option is using virtual reality apps that create immersive egg-hunting experiences.
Social media platforms also host community-wide virtual hunts. Participants follow clues posted on Facebook or Instagram to find hidden “eggs” on local business websites or profiles. These events support local economies while providing entertainment.
For a tech-savvy twist, families can create QR code hunts. Each code reveals a fun Easter fact, joke, or small prize when scanned with a smartphone.
Online Family Gatherings
Video calls enable families to share Easter meals and traditions across distances. Platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime facilitate group calls where everyone can showcase their Easter outfits and meals.
Consider organizing a virtual Easter brunch. Share recipes in advance so everyone can prepare similar dishes. During the call, families can take turns blessing the meal, sharing stories, or playing Easter-themed trivia games.
For a spiritual focus, attend online Easter services together. Many churches livestream their services, allowing families to participate in familiar rituals from home. After the service, discuss the message and how it applies to current circumstances.
DIY Easter Crafts
Hands-on activities bring Easter cheer to lockdown celebrations. Egg dyeing remains a classic tradition easily done at home. Natural dyes made from vegetables offer a fun experiment for children. Beet juice creates pink eggs, while turmeric produces yellow.
Create Easter baskets using household items. Decorate shoeboxes or paper bags with ribbons, stickers, or hand-drawn designs. Fill them with homemade treats or small toys found around the house.
Paper crafts provide endless possibilities. Make Easter cards to send to loved ones or create paper Easter egg garlands to decorate the home. Origami bunnies and chicks add a festive touch to any room.
Staying Connected and Spreading Joy
Easter celebrations during lockdown can still foster connection and uplift spirits. Creative approaches using technology and thoughtful gestures allow families and communities to share joy despite physical distance.
Social Media Shares
Social media platforms offer vibrant ways to share Easter experiences. Post photos of decorated eggs or spring-themed crafts to inspire others. Share snapshots of special meals or baked treats, accompanied by recipes for friends to try. Create Easter-themed filters or frames for profile pictures. Host virtual egg hunts by hiding digital eggs in photos for followers to find. Live stream egg decorating sessions or spring-themed craft tutorials to engage with friends and family in real-time.
Easter Greetings and Messages
Send personalized Easter cards or e-cards with heartfelt messages to loved ones. Create short video greetings to share warm wishes and updates. Write chalk messages or display Easter-themed signs in windows for neighbors to see. Organize a neighborhood “Easter parade” where families decorate their front yards or porches. Send care packages with Easter treats and small gifts to distant relatives or friends. Set up video calls to open Easter baskets together or share a virtual Easter brunch.
Supporting Your Community
Donate Easter baskets to local children’s charities or hospitals. Volunteer for meal delivery services to help elderly or vulnerable community members. Organize a socially-distanced neighborhood Easter egg hunt with pre-filled eggs left in visible locations. Support local businesses by ordering Easter meals or treats for delivery. Contribute to online fundraisers for community organizations affected by the pandemic. Send thank-you notes or small gifts to essential workers in your area to show appreciation during the holiday.
Global Easter Traditions
Easter celebrations vary widely across cultures, blending religious customs with local traditions. Different regions have developed unique ways to mark this important Christian holiday.
UK Easter Customs
Hot cross buns are a staple of British Easter celebrations. These spiced sweet buns marked with a cross are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. Easter egg hunts are popular family activities, with children searching for chocolate eggs hidden in gardens or parks.
Simnel cake, a fruit cake with layers of marzipan, is another traditional Easter treat in the UK. Some areas maintain quirky local customs, like egg rolling competitions or morris dancing performances.
Asia’s Diverse Celebrations
In the Philippines, Easter is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The “Salubong” ceremony reenacts the meeting of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection. Locals take part in candlelit processions and passion plays.
South Korea has a growing Christian population that observes Easter. Churches hold sunrise services, and families often enjoy picnics with Easter-themed foods.
In Japan, Easter is more of a commercial event than a religious one. Department stores and theme parks often feature Easter decorations and special events.
Easter Around the World
Greece celebrates Easter with unique customs. On Holy Saturday, people gather at midnight for candlelit services. At the stroke of midnight, they greet each other with “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen).
In Florence, Italy, the “Scoppio del Carro” (Explosion of the Cart) tradition involves a fireworks-laden cart being set off in front of the cathedral.
Mexico’s Easter celebrations include the burning of Judas effigies on Holy Saturday. This practice symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
In Ethiopia, Easter (called Fasika) is celebrated after a long fasting period. Families break their fast with a feast of injera bread and doro wat, a spicy chicken stew.
Health and Safety During the Lockdown
Maintaining health and safety is crucial while preparing Easter meals at home during lockdown. Proper hygiene, mental well-being, and physical activity are key elements to focus on.
Hygiene and Food Safety
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food. Clean and disinfect kitchen surfaces regularly. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
Store perishable ingredients properly in the refrigerator. Cook foods to safe internal temperatures. Avoid leaving cooked dishes at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
When grocery shopping, wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Sanitize shopping carts and baskets. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use.
Ensuring Mental Well-being
Stay connected with loved ones through video calls or phone conversations. Share virtual Easter meals to maintain social bonds.
Engage in relaxing activities like reading, meditation, or listening to music. Limit exposure to news and social media to reduce stress and anxiety.
Establish a routine to provide structure and stability. Set aside time for self-care activities such as taking baths or practicing hobbies.
Staying Active at Home
Create a simple home workout routine using bodyweight exercises or household items as weights. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily.
Try online fitness classes or yoga sessions. Many instructors offer free content during lockdown.
Take short breaks throughout the day to stretch or walk around your living space. If possible, spend time in outdoor areas like balconies or gardens for fresh air and sunlight.
Incorporate movement into daily tasks, such as doing squats while brushing teeth or lunges while vacuuming.