My Easter morning began with the alarm going off at 5am. I stumbled out into the kitchen half asleep and got the coffee brewing because I can’t do anything at that time of day without being highly caffeinated.
I had determined that I would make a Pavlova for our Easter dinner and I needed to have it cool all day in the oven so I thought that I would make it before I left the house at 7:30am. I ended up making two, because I was afraid that it didn’t look right and I didn’t trust my sleep deprived self and it really needed to be good. I didn’t want our guests to have a bad first-time Pavlova experience.
I got to my sister and brother-in-law’s house mid-afternoon after a full day of three church services and hundreds of people with two pavlovas and raspberry custard tart in tow. We turned up the music and broke out the ‘bubbles’ and got started on the final party prep. There’s nothing like cooking and laughing with the people you love.
The menu started with my onion jam on brie, smoked gouda and Genoa dry salami on crustini. The meal consisted of glazed ham, rustic cheesy potatoes au gratin, shaved brussel sprouts with bacon and cauliflower with carrots and an easy Bechamel sauce. Real food, comfort food. In the spirit of full disclosure, we took a significant risk and tried to make gluten free Yorkshire puddings. Let’s just say that didn’t work out. At all.
Overall, it was a great day filled with laughter and people we love. Here is a small taste of our day.
Nattie unloading the dishwasher before the guests arrive – dirty dishes go directly in which helps keep the kitchen clean.
We had wonderful aspirations to set the table properly but as our guest list grew, we decided that we were going to serve buffet style and make everything completely informal. We had guests in 3 rooms – it was wonderful.
Everything prepped and just waiting. It’s all about timing you know. Potatoes au gratin, cauliflower and carrots on the stove. The cast iron skillet has bacon lardons cut and waiting for the shaved brussels sprouts sitting in the colander. The ham is roasting in the oven.
My dad asking us to pause for a quick picture.
We made a trip down to the LA Flower Mart on Friday for fresh flowers and really just to be nosey – always looking for new inspiration. I finally was able to pick up that tin vase that I’ve been wanting forever. Good things come to those who wait, right?!
A little sample of the desserts which you can find on the blog – raspberry custard tart and a berry pavlova.
much love!
jess
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