Can you suggest a nice Easter meal to make for only 2 people?!


Question: I don't want to make a huge traditional meal, because we're just not that into left overs. But Easter has really snuck up on me and I haven't decided what to make yet.
Thanks for suggestions!!


Answers: I don't want to make a huge traditional meal, because we're just not that into left overs. But Easter has really snuck up on me and I haven't decided what to make yet.
Thanks for suggestions!!

There will on ly be 2 of us, also. So, I'm thinking of something less traditional. The local grocery store has seafood on sale, so I'm thinking maybe crab legs with drawn butter, or a shrimp scampi. Actually, pasta would be different and I have a few great recipes. You could cut the recipe in half so you wouldn't have so many leftovers. Here are a few favorites:
Manicotti

1 package Hillshire Farm Italian Sausage (Mild)
1 (12 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 can water
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 box fresh mushrooms, sliced
Filling
1 container ricotta cheese
2-3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 package frozen spinach, chopped or 8 ounces fresh spinach, chopped fine
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 box manicotti, boil as directed on package

Squeeze out of casing into hot kettle.
Brown.
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste and water.
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano.
Put mushrooms in 30 minutes before preparing dish.
Stuff Manicotti with cheese mixture.
Put some sauce on the bottom of 9 x 13 pan.
Place Manicotti in rows so they're not touching each other.
Pour remaining sauce on top.
Top with some Mozzarella.
Put in oven at 350F degrees until it bubbles.

www.recipezaar.com/8640

Here are a few other make-aheads:

Five Cheese Pasta
Kosher salt
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup crushed tomatoes in thick tomato puree
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano (1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded imported Italian fontina (1 1/2 ounces)
1/4 cup crumbled Italian Gorgonzola (1 1/2 ounces)
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
1/4 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 pound imported penne rigate pasta
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil in a stockpot.

Combine all the ingredients except the penne and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Drop the penne into the boiling water and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain well in a colander and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl, tossing to combine. Divide the pasta mixture among 6 shallow ceramic gratin dishes (1 1/2 to 2 cup capacity). Dot with the butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 7 to 10 minutes.

(You can leave the gorgonzola out! I have done that when I am feeding folks that don'tlike it!)

edit: I put this in one big casserole to heat...

This is a really easy, wonderful alfredo recipe. You could add steamed broccoli and/or chicken breast, even sauted shrimp to make it more elegant:

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

8 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a medium saucepan, combine cream cheese, Parmesan, margarine, milk, garlic powder and basil and stir over low heat until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 minutes. Toss sauce with pasta and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve.

Fettuccini Carbonara

1/2 pound bacon
1/4 cup whipping cream
4 beaten eggs
1 pound fettuccini, cooked
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup snipped parsley
Heat oven-proof serving dish in 250 degree
oven. In skillet cook bacon till crisp. Drain; crumble. Heat cream till just warm. Remove from heat; beat in eggs. Toss pasta with butter. Pour egg mixture atop. Toss till well-coated. Add bacon, cheese, and parsley; toss to mix.
Sprinkle with pepper. Serves 6.



Chicken Scampi
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp lemon juice
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced lengthwise into thirds

In a skillet heat the butter and olive oil on medium high heat until butter is melted. Add parsley, basil, oregano, garlic and salt and mix together. Stir in lemon juice.
Then add chicken pieces and sauté for 3 minutes or until white. Lower the heat and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. More butter can be added if needed. Serve chicken over hot angel hair, or other pasta and pour some of the sauce over it all.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

2 servings 25 min 10 min prep

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
4 ounces linguine, cooked al dente
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
1 thinly sliced green onion
1-2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chicken in butter or margarine until chicken is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Reduce heat add green onion, heavy cream, tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper and heat through.
Pour over hot linguine and toss, with Parmesan cheese.

Traditional Shrimp Scampi
Preparation time: 30-35 minutes but if you purchase your shrimp already peeled and de-veined the prep time should be reduced to about 15 minutes. Serves 6-8.


Ingredients:
2 pounds medium-size fresh shrimp (either 16-20 count or smaller ones), peeled and de-veined or unpeeled and un-deveined
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup dry white wine (chardonnay or pinot grigio)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Instructions:
Peel and de-vein shrimp unless you purchased P & D shrimp. You may choose to butterfly the shrimp as well (see note below)
Sauté green onions, parsley, and garlic in butter until onions are tender
Reset heat to low and add shrimp. The shrimp should be added in a single layer on the pan (cook two batches if necessary or use two pans).
Continue cooking, stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes
Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon to a serving dish and keep warm
Add remaining ingredients to butter mixture and simmer for 2 minutes
Pour butter mixture over shrimp

Serve this shrimp recipe over linguine or Angel Hair pasta. If you wish to do likewise, cook about 1 pound of the pasta of your choice. She then adds freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

These shrimp are also excellent when served over rice.


Spicy Shrimp Scampi
Preparation time: 20 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 pounds of scampi (shrimp) Use P & D shrimp (peeled and deveined) or clean, peel and de-vein the shrimp yourself
Flour
4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 cloves of finely chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 ounce Brandy (you can buy a 1 ounce bottle of brandy at most liquor outlets)
1 cup of tomato sauce
Pinch of salt
2 ounces of butter
Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:
Lightly coat the shrimp with flour
Heat the oil oil in a large skillet over medium heat
Add the shrimp, garlic, crushed red pepper and sauté
Pour brandy into pan and ignite with a long lighter (stand back as it will flare up and do not flame the pan under cupboards or near other flammables)
Add the tomato sauce, a pinch of salt and simmer for 2 minutes
Add the butter to thicken and shake the pan to combine
Add salt if needed
Sprinkle with parsley before serving and Parmesan cheese if you wish.

And you have to have the best sides. Here are my favorites:

Homemade garlic bread:

1 cube real butter
3-4 cloves garlic, minced

Sauté together about 5 minutes.
Spread on fresh sliced french bread with a pastry brush. Heat under the broiler until light brown. Yummy!!

Caesar Coleslaw

1 pkg pre-made coleslaw
1/4-1/2 cup shredded parmesean cheese
1/2 pkg caesar croutons
1 bottle creamy caesar dressing

Toss first three ingredients together. Add enough dressing to coat. It's even good the next day!

Also, this is the best alfredo recipe:

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

8 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a medium saucepan, combine cream cheese, Parmesan, margarine, milk, garlic powder and basil and stir over low heat until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 minutes. Toss sauce with pasta and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve.

Hope you have a great Easter!
Chris

you could get a ham steak, instead of a whole ham.
depending on what is "traditional" in your eyes, everything comes in mini-servings....
pillsbury makes biscuts that come in servings of two, bob evans sells mashed potatoes that come in little 4 servings containers....

You could maybe buy a small roast and put it in the crock pot.Then make a small batch of mashed potatoes and stuffing.

if you have a giant near you, they have little hams that would be perfect for 2 people to share, or you could make ham steaks. then you could make boxed mashed potatoes, and green beans and rolls.

Good Morning Lil Sammy,
Well here's a simple yet holiday based meal idea 4 ya! Grab a couple of ham steaks & grill or broil them up. For a little extra added easter-ness mix up a glaze from mustard & brown sugar. Here's a similar idea w/actual measurements from the Cooking Live show.

GLAZED HAM STEAK WITH BROWN SUGAR MUSTARD GLAZE
1 to 2-inch Ham Steak
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup prepared mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine cloves, sugar and mustard and brush over Ham Steak. Bake in baking dish in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes until heated through.

Then for a super quick salad that never gets soggy. Boil up 6 lg potatoes Yukon Gold if U can get them. Peel prior to boiling & cut into med sz cubes. When they are fork tender remove from heat & drain. Transfer to a lg bowl & gently stir in the usual mayo or miracle whip. To kick up the flavor add 1/4c diced onions and/or celery, salt & pepper to taste & garnish w/two hard boiled egss cut in half.
For dessert try out this amazing simple butterscotch shortbread cookie recipe. Compliments of my Mom!

2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c crisco butter or original
1 stick real butter unsalted (rm temp)
no marg here pls cuz it yields hard as rocks cookies to much h20 content
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c brown sugar light or dark (packed)
1/4 c granulated sugar
Heat oven to 300. Cream sugar's & shortening ingredients together in lg bowl then set aside. Measure out flour according but do not pack it into the measuring cup. Add this to a med bowl along w/salt. Then slowly add flour mixture to creamed mix. Mix thoroughly. Roll dough out onto waxed paper or parchment paper about 1/4 in thickness. Use easter cookie cutters (find @ $ stores or Target's 1 spot section for a buck). Then use spatula to remove ea 1 from paper & transfer onto ungreased cookie sheet. Add some sprinkles also found in the 1 Spot section of Target. Bake off for 20min. You'll be looking for a nice even golden coloring over the entire cookie. BTW your nose will start to smell the sugar in the air when they are approaching doneness. If you make small cookies you should be able to get 7.5 dz outta this recipe.

To finish the meal w/a drink grab a bottle of Asti & add a bit of OJ & you have a mimosa. Or sans alchol & sub 7up or sprite for champagne. Hope all these ideas are helpful in creating an intimate yet simple & traditional scaled down easter feast.
Enjoy your day!

2 small ham steaks would be good, or a small rack of lamb (too expensive for alot of people anyways), or stuff a whole chicken and roast it ... mashed sweet potatoes would be good with the ham or chicken (wild rice mix with the lamb) ... steamed green veggies or a green salad ... dessert: individual strawberry shortcakes

2 Lamb chops
18 Asparagus
2 carmelized onions
10 fingerling potatoes
Angel Food cake with strawberries

Enjoy

Roast 2 cornish game hens. Make a rice side & serve with a vegetable & salad. There won't be much for leftovers!!





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