Fancy switching things up in the kitchen this Easter weekend? Try out some traditional Easter foods from around the world as we explore 7 delicious-looking recipes.
I’ve posted about some of the weird and wonderful Easter traditions in the past, but aside from discovering that the combo of ‘red eggs and Easter bread’ is popular in Greece, the world of Easter food was unknown territory for me. Until now…
To kick things off, we’re starting with a UK favourite, then travelling on to Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and Australia.
UK
The perfect sweet treat during Easter time. Hot cross buns are most commonly baked with dried fruit and seasoned with fresh spices, with a glazed crust that has a cross marked on it. Most often accompanied by lashings of butter, the humble hot cross bun is known to be paired with items including bacon, jam & cream, and even minced beef. (If you want my advice, I’d probably steer clear of the minced beef!)
Italy
This spinach and egg pie is an Italian favourite for Easter Sunday. The key ingredients are spinach, ricotta, eggs and pastry. Traditionally served cold, you’ll get the very best out of the pie if you eat it just after it’s cooled. But don’t worry, if you can’t quite fit it in because you’ve accidentally eaten too much chocolate, it’ll keep in the fridge for you to tuck into later.
Germany
First things first, to save you having to Google ‘what’s chervil’ (like I did), it’s a herb that’s part of the parsley family. On Maundy Thursday, or as the Germans call it ‘Gründonnerstag’ (Green Thursday), it’s tradition in Germany to eat only green foods. Chervil soup is one of the most popular choices on this day. It’s a quick, simple and yummy dish that can be whipped up with minimal fuss!
Spain
If soup isn’t quite your thing, how about a nice hearty stew? This Spanish dish is traditionally eaten on Good Friday and is renowned for the simplicity of its recipe. It’s a veg-heavy dish with loads of simple ingredients like chickpeas, spinach, garlic, onion, pepper and, in true Easter spirit, a hard-boiled egg for good measure. The traditional Spanish recipe for this dish also includes cod, but it can be served with or without depending on your taste.
Sweden
If you’re feeling really adventurous, take the lead from Sweden and create your own ³§³¾Ã¶°ù²µÃ¥²õ²ú´Ç°ù»å (a buffet-style meal with a variety of dishes). Every family will have something slightly different, but there are a few Swedish staples that are bound to appear on the table. The key is to make sure you serve everything in the right order…
- Pickled herring with rye or crisp bread – kick off the meal with this traditional favourite
- Cold fish dishes are up next – cold poached salmon, halved eggs garnished with fish roe, prawns…
- Next up, it’s the cold meats – cold poached chicken with lemon and rosemary is a firm favourite
- Now, onto the hot food – Swedish meatballs and new potatoes served with dill are top choices here
Brazil
Moving on to something a bit sweeter, this traditional Brazilian food is made from three simple ingredients; sugar, peanuts and cassava flour. Most commonly served across the Easter period, this treat is actually enjoyed across Brazil throughout the year as a snack, dessert or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Australia
A personal favourite of mine, this Australian Easter Sunday staple is actually a tradition in many countries around the world. Lamb can be slow-cooked for succulence or roasted alongside your potatoes and veg for the ultimate flavour. Whatever you decide, if meat is your thing, this dish is a definite winner for the whole family.
