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Original poster

Easter Lunch

125 replies

whoami24601 · 06/04/2023 10:34

For the first time ever as a grown up I am in charge of cooking the Easter lunch. Eek! Can you all talk me through your menus and help me to plan? Don't have a massive budget but was thinking I'll splurge on a nice bit of lamb and also have a pork shoulder in the freezer I'll defrost. It'll be 3 adults and 3 kids (10,7 and 4). No to chocolate dessert. Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 08:48

JumpToRecipe · 07/04/2023 07:59

Leg of lamb is very lean so doesn’t freeze terribly well once cooked. It fares better when it has been incorporated into dishes, eg shepherd’s pie, curry, than frozen. I would have suggested getting a smaller cut if only one person is eating the lamb but in for a penny and all that. Did you get a whole leg?!

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In that case I'm eating a lot of lamb over the next few days 🤣 yes I got a whole leg- did I mention I have no idea what I'm doing?!

OP posts:
Original poster
whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 08:49

Snugglemonkey · 07/04/2023 08:09

I am going traditional, but have a baby who might be a maggot so I am also keeping things easy. I am making cauliflower and broccoli cheese and pâté today. Tomorrow I will make a pavlova base, mashed potatoes and pressure cook gammon (some won't eat lamb). Then on Sunday I will make the maple roasted parsnips, orange buttered roasted carrots and roast leeks. My lamb I just stud with garlic, rosemary and anchovy. Yesterday we made lemon and herb butter because my son wanted to see how butter can come from cream, so I will put some of that on peas, sugar snap peas and asparagus.

I am just doing an antipasti platter as a starter with bread, oil and vinegars, though it will include wee ramekins of pâté. Dessert is raspberry and white chocolate pavlova and/or a cheeseboard.

There will be 10 of us.

What do the anchovies do? I might have some lurking in the cupboard somewhere...

OP posts:
Original poster
whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 08:50

sashh · 07/04/2023 08:06

Stick the lamb in a slow cooker for 4-6 hours, on its own, you don't need anything else. Unless you want to add rosemary / garlic.

What happens to the texture of the lamb if its done in the slow cooker? Ideally I want it melt in the mouth like.

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Schmutter · 07/04/2023 08:52

My husband is the cook. He’s doing a traditional roast lamb for 5. I won’t eat lamb, so I’ll just have the sides. He’s doing leek sauce, maple glazed parsnips, roasted potatoes and other things I’ve forgotten. No Yorkshire puddings with lamb!

I’m making a mini egg cheesecake for pudding.

SushiSuave · 07/04/2023 08:56

JingsMahBucket · 07/04/2023 01:34

@mindutopia mind if I ask what’s in your mint yoghurt sauce please? I’m planning to use Greek yoghurt as base thinned with lemon juice and water as needed. For spicing I’ll add EVOO, garlic, mint, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

I make a mint yoghurt sauce with natural yoghurt, mint sauce, honey and a teaspoon of caster sugar.

ThanksItHasPockets · 07/04/2023 09:00

whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 08:50

What happens to the texture of the lamb if its done in the slow cooker? Ideally I want it melt in the mouth like.

Show quote history

You would need a very big slow cooker to fit a whole leg of lamb.

JingsMahBucket · 07/04/2023 09:06

@SushiSuave thanks for that. I had been thinking about using natural yoghurt but I think we prefer thicker Greek style when it comes to this. I keep meaning to use thinner natural yoghurt for other dips but keep forgetting!

QuizzlyBears · 07/04/2023 09:09

Slow cooked sweet chilli sticky pulled lamb, crispy roasties and a Greek salad here 😊

gogohmm · 07/04/2023 09:14

Roast lamb, roast potatoes, roasted mixed veg (parsnip, carrot, sweet potatoes) mashed swede, tenderstem broccoli and red cabbage. 6 adults. No idea on dessert yet, probably an apple crumble and a steamed pudding knowing mum whose in charge. Nothing fancy with the veg but lashings of bisto best lamb gravy

ThanksItHasPockets · 07/04/2023 09:15

I don’t want to alarm you, OP, but a whole
leg of lamb usually serves 6-8 adults (and generously, not mythical MN-chicken style). I wouldn’t normally advocate slow-cooking it as it feels a bit of a waste but if you are doing two meats and you are not a confident cook then it is probably your best bet, especially as pork shoulder needs to be slow-roasted. Google a slow-roast lamb recipe - Jamie Oliver, Mary Berry and BBC Good Food are usually pretty foolproof and easy to follow. Make sure you have accounted for roasting times and time for the meat to rest.

Snugglemonkey · 07/04/2023 09:37

whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 08:49

What do the anchovies do? I might have some lurking in the cupboard somewhere...

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They just melt mostly, leaving a lovely umami flavour. The juices are amazing so the gravy is lovely.

Crunchymum · 07/04/2023 09:40

We're going out for Thai. I cancelled all the food that I'd ordered (so shaved a good £30 off the weekly delivery. The meal out will obviously cost a bit more but we'll suck it up)

It's quite liberating actually. May have to try it for Christmas!!

sashh · 07/04/2023 10:12

In the slow cooker the fat in the lamb melts and bastes the meat.

I have 2 slow cookers and I can fit a leg of lamb in the big one, you do have to bend it a little and it starts with the bone bit sticking out but as it is cooking you push it in.

Shoulder is even better because it has more fat, it should still be pink when you are serving it.

I am responsible for at least 3 other people buying a SC to cook lamb.

MissMarplesbag · 07/04/2023 10:38

SushiSuave · 07/04/2023 08:56

I make a mint yoghurt sauce with natural yoghurt, mint sauce, honey and a teaspoon of caster sugar.

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I make a similar sauce but with a hint of chilli or paprika powder instead of honey and sugar. I'm not keen on sweet savoury sauces but this is just a personal preference.

MissMarplesbag · 07/04/2023 10:43

I add a teaspoon of cuumin and coriander seeds or powder as well as a pinch of garam masaala powder. The earthy sweet flavours go very well with lamb & have a chilli mint sauce on the side. Serve with flat breads, roasted veg and salad.

PollyThePixie · 07/04/2023 10:46

whoami24601 · 06/04/2023 22:30

I selfishly want lamb but I don't think anyone else will. I was thinking I could use as leftovers and freeze the rest in portions. My mum will probably take some home too as she lives alone now so will be grateful for a few meals. Lamb is a rare luxury in this house so I'm making the most of the opportunity!

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Buy the lamb and enjoy it! You’re worth it.

SchoolTripDrama · 07/04/2023 13:42

Since when did people have a special dinner for Easter??? Is this a new thing?

SchoolTripDrama · 07/04/2023 13:45

I don't know how anyone can eat those poor little baby Lambs 😢

MeinKraft · 07/04/2023 13:49

Tesco have 19p veg in and half price on pork, ham and beef joints for Easter. I've got a big ham and some veg.

MeinKraft · 07/04/2023 13:51

ThanksItHasPockets · 07/04/2023 09:15

I don’t want to alarm you, OP, but a whole
leg of lamb usually serves 6-8 adults (and generously, not mythical MN-chicken style). I wouldn’t normally advocate slow-cooking it as it feels a bit of a waste but if you are doing two meats and you are not a confident cook then it is probably your best bet, especially as pork shoulder needs to be slow-roasted. Google a slow-roast lamb recipe - Jamie Oliver, Mary Berry and BBC Good Food are usually pretty foolproof and easy to follow. Make sure you have accounted for roasting times and time for the meat to rest.

Leftovers are the best bit of a big dinner Grin

PollyThePixie · 07/04/2023 14:18

SchoolTripDrama · 07/04/2023 13:45

I don't know how anyone can eat those poor little baby Lambs 😢

They taste much better and aren’t as fatty as mutton.

Forever42 · 07/04/2023 14:26

Traditionally we have a roast on Easter Sunday (have done since I was a child). DH and DC1 love roasts, DC2 (fussy) only likes some of the sides and I have just had some teeth out so have to eat soft stuff. Makes it a bit complicated so I am doing the sides everyone likes (Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, carrots and peas). I've bought two lamb steaks for DH and DC1 and I will have salmon, mashed potato and the cauliflower cheese.

I always make a trifle for dessert.

JingsMahBucket · 07/04/2023 15:01

SchoolTripDrama · 07/04/2023 13:42

Since when did people have a special dinner for Easter??? Is this a new thing?

No. People have been doing this forever.

JingsMahBucket · 07/04/2023 15:02

@MissMarplesbag im not a fan of sweet with meat either, at least not too much. I never order things like teriyaki, sweet chili, etc because people always overdo it on the sugar.

Original poster
whoami24601 · 07/04/2023 15:04

ThanksItHasPockets · 07/04/2023 09:15

I don’t want to alarm you, OP, but a whole
leg of lamb usually serves 6-8 adults (and generously, not mythical MN-chicken style). I wouldn’t normally advocate slow-cooking it as it feels a bit of a waste but if you are doing two meats and you are not a confident cook then it is probably your best bet, especially as pork shoulder needs to be slow-roasted. Google a slow-roast lamb recipe - Jamie Oliver, Mary Berry and BBC Good Food are usually pretty foolproof and easy to follow. Make sure you have accounted for roasting times and time for the meat to rest.

I am generally a confident cook. Can make any number of quite complicated dishes, I just don't really cook many roasts. The whole leg doesn't look all that big to not fit in the slow cooker... I did choose the smallest one I could find. I think I panic more about timings and making sure everything is ready at the same time than anything else!

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