What’s the best way to celebrate Easter? With a mouth-watering feast, of course! If you’re looking to impress your guests with a traditional Southern Easter dinner, you’re in for a treat. We’ve got two delicious recipes that will have your family asking for seconds (and thirds!). So, put on your apron, and let’s get cooking!
Recipe 1: Southern Glazed Ham
Ingredients:
- 1 (10-12 pound) fully cooked, bone-in ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Place the ham on a large roasting pan, and cover it with foil.
- Bake the ham for 2 hours.
- In a saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, honey, orange juice, pineapple juice, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the ham from the oven, and brush the glaze over the ham.
- Return the ham to the oven, and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and the ham is heated through.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 438 calories, 14.9g fat, 52.6g protein, 22.2g carbohydrates, 0.2g fiber, 46.6g sugar, 1669mg sodium
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large roasting pan
- Foil
- Saucepan
- Basting brush
Serving Suggestions:
This ham pairs perfectly with classic Southern sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and sweet potato casserole.
Variations:
For a spicy twist, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the glaze mixture.
Substitutions:
- You can use a boneless ham instead of a bone-in ham, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- If you don’t have orange juice, you can use apple juice or cranberry juice instead.
- If you don’t have pineapple juice, you can use apricot nectar or peach nectar instead.
Storage:
Store any leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Tips:
- Make sure to score the ham before baking to allow the glaze to seep into the meat.
- For a more intense flavor, let the ham marinate in the glaze mixture overnight before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use a spiral ham instead of a fully cooked ham?
- Can I use a different type of meat?
- Can I freeze the leftover ham?
Yes, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
You can use this glaze recipe for pork loin, turkey, or chicken.
Yes, you can freeze the leftover ham for up to 2 months.
Recipe 2: Southern Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 12 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Cut the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise, and remove the yolks.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the yolks with a fork.
- Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Mix the ingredients until they are well combined and smooth.
- Spoon the mixture into the egg whites, and garnish with paprika or chopped chives.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (2 halves): 166 calories, 14.2g fat, 6.8g protein, 1.7g carbohydrates, 0.3g fiber, 1.3g sugar, 211mg sodium
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Equipment:
- Large pot for boiling eggs
- Mixing bowl
- Fork
- Spoon
Serving Suggestions:
These deviled eggs are a classic Southern appetizer that pairs well with any Easter dinner menu.
Variations:
Add bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or chopped herbs to the mixture for extra flavor.
Substitutions:
- If you don’t have Dijon mustard, you can use yellow mustard instead.
- If you don’t have sweet pickle relish, you can use dill pickle relish or chopped pickles instead.
Storage:
Store any leftover deviled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Use a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off to fill the egg whites for a neater presentation.
- To prevent the eggs from cracking, add a spoonful of vinegar or salt to the boiling water.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make these ahead of time?
- Can I use a different type of mustard?
- Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise?
Yes, you can make these deviled eggs up to a day ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to serve.
You can use any type of mustard, but Dijon mustard adds a nice tangy flavor.
You can use Miracle Whip, but it will alter the taste and texture of the deviled eggs.
Conclusion
There you have it, two delicious and easy-to-make recipes for a traditional Southern Easter dinner. The Southern Glazed Ham is perfect for the main course, while the Southern Deviled Eggs make a great appetizer. These recipes are sure to impress your guests and make your Easter celebration a memorable one.
So, what are you waiting for? Put on your chef’s hat and get cooking! We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do. Happy Easter!