A celebration of Easter – faith, family & food
Easter is one of the most important and oldest festivals on the Christian church calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Chef Sharon Pye explains the meaning behind the Christian holiday and shares some of her favourite recipes.
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Easter is one of the most important and oldest festivals on the Christian church calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Hospice counsellor and author Kate McGahan once said, “The very first Easter taught us that life never ends, and love never dies.”
Which is why, after an Easter church service, it is usual for families and friends to get together to enjoy a welcome respite from their busy lives and partake in sharing delicious food.
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According to Christians, Jesus sacrificed his flesh on what is now known as Good Friday. This is why traditionally; people abstain from meaty flesh on Good Friday.
Chef Sharon Pye states that, “This year is my turn to host the Easter lunch and I have decided that, considering the real possibility of load shedding, I will make use of other cooking methods and not rely on electricity.”
“So, I am going to use our outdoor area in the garden under some shady trees and host an al-fresco lunch, with a long table set up reminiscent of my favourite movie, Chocolat,” she added.
Here are her recipes:
Slow Cooked Smoked Beef Brisket (serves 15)
Ingredients
2 x 4kg beef brisket/topside
1 litre beef stock
125ml sea salt
125ml coarse black pepper
125ml Worcestershire sauce
1 bag oak woodchips
Harvest Table Salad
Ingredients
560g mixed green lettuce
500g blueberries
8 pears, sliced
330g red onion, thinly sliced
500g feta cheese, crumbled
500g caramelised pecans
Dressing
250ml olive oil
180ml white wine vinegar
120ml honey
120ml Dijon mustard
5ml salt
5ml pepper
15ml dried oregano
No Bake Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake in Jars
Ingredients
1kg blueberries
60ml honey
15ml lemon juice
15ml water
15g corn starch
For the cheesecake
230g cream cheese
200g Greek yoghurt
30ml honey
1 lemon, zest and juice
For the biscuit crumb
1 packet Tennis biscuits
45ml butter, melted
Chef Sharon wishes all families an Easter filled joy and appreciation of our loved ones.