Top 10 Easter Sides

Easter Lunch brings back memories, Can you smell it? 

Somehow after the Easter service, we would head home and there would be a meal waiting. By some means, Mom's magic would happen. Now, it could have been that she prepped and cooked food while we were at church. Ovens do have a delay start option and a warming option, but as a kid, it was like movie magic. There was always ham, rolls, deviled eggs, potato salad, mac & cheese, and the list could keep going. There was always more than enough food to feed us. We all have our favorites and we wanted to share some of our favorites from the Lane’s crew. Easter is more than just cooking and eating food, but these are side dishes that bring back fond memories of a meal that was not your everyday ordinary meal. 

Top 10 Easter Sides:

1. Green Bean Casserole - One of the most straightforward and uncomplicated side dishes to make for Easter Lunch is Green Bean casserole. It is a family favorite. Green beans, cream of mushroom, milk, and French’s fried onions. For the kiddos that don’t eat the casserole just pull some of the green beans and cook them on the stove. Thank You Campbell’s Soup for this tasty invention.
2. Deviled Eggs - It seems like the vast majority of people either love or hate deviled eggs. Who doesn’t like a hard-boiled egg cut in half with filling made from the yolk? They are definitely a fan favorite around the shop. Everyone has their own version, but we enjoy sprucing things up by dusting our Bloody Mary Seasoning over the eggs. Traditionally you would use paprika, but this takes the ordinary to a new level.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole - Well, we have made it to the most debated topic in casserole history. The most debated topic is, are you a nut or marshmallow topping person on your sweet potato casserole? It doesn’t matter the season or when you are cooking this incredible dish, sweet potato casserole seems to be shrouded with controversy. After polling our crew we would agree with the statistics that this is a highly debated topic. Co-workers began to voice with passion their reasoning for either pecans or marshmallows. It got rather loud! This is a reminder, that even if pecans are not your personal preference, it doesn’t make it wrong that someone else likes marshmallows on their sweet potato casserole. It means people are different.  Try our recipe either with marshmallows or pecans. Lane’s BBQ Sweet Potato Casserole 
   
4. Mac & Cheese - No, not the box Mac & Cheese, but the authentic recipe with elbow noodles and real cheese. No box mix can replace the cheesy goodness and the buttery crust made from Ritz crackers to top this dish. Add extra cheese, if you want, on top and bake. Smell it yet? If you need help, then we’ll leave this recipe right here for you. Lane’s Mac & Cheese Recipe
5. Potato Salad - Somewhere in the span of history, two legendary condiments were invented, mayonnaise and mustard. Mayo is a hit for most people and there are a few of us that mustard is a part of the “must-haves” to eat.  Some people like a heavy mayo potato salad and some of us like the mustard edition. Throw in some dill relish or sweet relish, stir, and refrigerate. No one likes warm potato salad.
6. Brussels Sprouts - After we surveyed the warehouse and the business offices, Brussel sprouts were a top 10 list winner multiple times. Maybe they are not a standard dish, but the masses have spoken. However, they are very delicious when prepared correctly. We weren’t surprised to find them a fan favorite with the female population. We have an excellent recipe for you to try, Grilled Brussels Sprouts.You might find that people that aren’t into veggies will totally be into these sprouts.  
   
7. Asparagus - Can’t seem to get that one family member to eat anything? Try this recipe, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus. Anything wrapped in bacon can get people to do crazy things. Love makes people do crazy things.  Who knows, they might even ask for seconds. Asparagus, in the past, has gotten a bad wrap. This is most certainly the best wrap it could ever ask for!
8. Cucumber Salad - There are two versions of this cucumber salad. A creamy or vinaigrette recipe. Growing up we always had the vinaigrette version. Thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced red onion, salt, pepper, and your homemade vinaigrette dressing. It was delicious and we think you’ll like it too! 
9. Pasta Salad - Apparently, this started a debate amongst the crew about which noodle is the appropriate noodle to use for pasta salad. Some were quick to say that the tri-color Rotini noodle was the only option, while some stood their ground on bowtie pasta. What was interesting was there was no real argument about what else went in the salad. Here is a quick and easy Pasta Salad recipe for you to try. 
10. Roasted Honey Carrots - C’mom, Roasted carrots? That doesn’t sound too difficult and you would be correct. Wash, peel, drench with honey, and roast. Doesn't get much simpler than that. However, we like to kick things up just a little by using Classic City Select Honey. It is mouthwatering and you’ll definitely want to make two batches of carrots. They will go quickly! Tell the Easter Bunny to back off, these carrots are off-limits. For human consumption only!
    
     

Easter, what's the Big deal? 

What seems to be a holiday in our current culture driven by an Easter bunny and crazy colored eggs, Easter holds significant meaning for some of us. Historically, Jews celebrated Passover with feasts filled with meals, drinks, dancing, and what we would call church services. Passover was in remembrance of how God used Moses to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian oppression. Jesus returned to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, but ultimately He would become the sacrificial lamb. We pray that you can celebrate with your family this Easter and express your gratitude for God’s gift of unconditional love.