Easter Side Dishes Invented by a Six Year Old

By Kathleen Daelemans

We celebrate every Easter at my sister Carol's. I still look forward to the holiday as though I were five years old. My mom used to dress my sister and I up like post cards. She made our dresses from scratch. Not because it was the "thing" to do. And not because we didn't have a lot of money. She did it because she loved us. And we didn't have a lot of money. And it was the thing to do.

 

We had little white gloves and purses to match and hats that went with our dresses. I'm sure the only reason we made it home from church with all of our accessories was because my grandmother (the original Swiffer) sat with us.

We weren't allowed to have any Easter candy until after church and only then, if we'd behaved throughout mass. As soon as we arrived home, the hunt began. We ran from room to room looking for hidden treasures. Finding a basket with your name painted on an Egg gently nestling among the grasses meant it was yours.

                                                                                                      
The Easter bunny made elaborate baskets tied with real silk satin bows. They contained hand painted eggs, solid chocolate bunny rabbits, miniature toys, assorted jelly beans and baby stuffed bunnies.  We were always allowed to eat candy before breakfast on Easter. A tradition passed on to my little nieces today.

Before every holiday we have an Auntie sleepover. My nieces and I get together and celebrate together before the holiday so we get to enjoy quality time together before all the chaos begins. We'll have our Auntie Easter sleepover this week followed by our family potluck Easter Holiday meal on Sunday.

Everyone is always asked to bring a dish to our family gatherings. I'm in a fit over what to bring to Easter Dinner. Should I keep it traditional? Healthy? Fattening? Elaborate? Over the top? Do I bring Dessert? A Salad? A side dish or vegetable?

My little niece Maya spent the weekend. I knew she'd have some great ideas as to what I could prepare that would please the whole family. We contemplated our choices while we stomped through the last of the snow banks.

MAYA: Well you could bring a lemon, Auntie Kathy. Everyone loves sour things.

ME: I was thinking of something more substantial like a side dish. But if you want to do lemons, what about a Warm Lemon Spinach Salad or Greek Lemon Chicken Soup or a Lovely Lemon Tart? I know how you love sweet things.

MAYA: That's gross, Auntie.

ME: How about a soup then?

MAYA: Yuk

ME: Well, what do you think would be a good idea?

MAYA: Princess Aurora crown cookies.

ME: I was thinking of something a little healthier.

MAYA: I know. Peeps cupcakes!

Me: Healthy...

MAYA: Nest egg cupcakes!

Me: Healthy...

MAYA: Green beans are healthy.

ME: Green beans are healthy. Would you like green beans for Easter supper?

MAYA: Yes. That sounds nice.

ME: I'll call Mama and tell her that we'll be bringing green beans for Easter supper. How about if we practice our recipe today?                                                                                       
MAYA: After we make a bow and arrow Aunt Kathy. Hand me those sticks....   

Later, when Maya and I went shopping, Maya grabbed a lemon and put it in the cart.

ME: What's that for?

MAYA: Easter.

ME: What are you going to do with it?

MAYA: Everybody likes lemons, Auntie Kathy. We can just serve it.

ME: Of course we can. It's settled. Twenty five years as a chef, three plus cookbooks, zillions of culinary events, speaking appearances, yada yada etc. etc...and I'm bringing plain steamed green beans and a lemon to Easter brunch.

MAYA: Auntie Kathy! The lemon has to get cut up so people can eat it right.

Of course it does. To prepare the lemon, cut into eights and serve immediately.

Comments

[Sheri]

MY how Princess Aurora is growing up! She's so grown-up and lady-like! Happy Easter, Daelemans Family!