Easter Meal Ideas

Hosting Easter at your house

Planning to host Easter at your place? We've got you covered with our guide to Easter entertaining. Whether you're hosting a brunch, lunch, or dinner, our guide is packed with tips and ideas to help make your celebration a success. 

From setting the table to choosing the perfect menu, let us take the stress out of hosting so you can focus on enjoying time with your loved ones.

Get prepared

Before diving into the culinary delights of Easter, it's essential to get prepared and set the stage for a memorable celebration. Start by planning your menu, considering your guests' preferences and any dietary restrictions. 

Create a shopping list to ensure you have all the ingredients you need for your recipes. Once you're stocked up, prepare your kitchen by cleaning and organising your cooking space. 

Set the table with your chosen tableware and add decorative touches for a festive atmosphere. Plan your cooking timeline to stay on track and delegate tasks to family or friends to lighten your workload. 

Lastly, double-check your guest list for any last-minute adjustments. With careful preparation, you'll be ready to host a stress-free Easter gathering filled with delicious food and joyful moments.

• Easter brunch ideas 

Easter brunch is a delightful tradition, blending the best of breakfast and lunch into one delicious meal. If you're hosting this year, why not treat your guests to a Kiwi-style spread that's both hearty and inviting? Here are two fantastic brunch ideas to get your menu started:

Fluffy pikelets with fresh berries

Start your brunch on a sweet note with fluffy pikelets topped with a vibrant array of fresh berries. These little pancakes are simple to make and endlessly customizable. Whip up a batch of batter using pantry staples like flour, sugar, and eggs, then cook them until golden brown on a hot griddle. Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream and a generous scattering of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and whatever other seasonal berries you can find. The combination of fluffy pancakes and juicy berries is sure to delight your guests and set the tone for a memorable Easter brunch.

Hearty bacon and egg pies 

For those craving something more substantial, bacon and egg pies are a quintessential Kiwi favourite that's perfect for brunch. These savoury pies feature a flaky pastry crust filled with a rich mixture of crispy bacon, creamy eggs, and cheese. You can customise them with your favourite ingredients, such as spinach, mushrooms, or caramelised onions, to add extra flavour and texture. Bake them until golden and bubbling, then serve them warm or at room temperature for an easy-to-eat brunch option that's sure to please. Pair them with a fresh green salad or some roasted vegetables for a complete meal that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.

• Easter appetisers ideas

Kick off your Kiwi Easter meal with a selection of irresistible appetisers that showcase the best of New Zealand produce and flavours. Here are two delightful appetiser ideas to tantalise your guests' taste buds:

Smoked fish pâté

Start your Easter feast with a taste of the sea by serving smoked fish pâté. This creamy and flavorful spread is made by blending smoked fish, such as salmon or mackerel, with cream cheese, lemon juice, and herbs. Simply combine the ingredients in a food processor until smooth, then chill until ready to serve. Serve the pâté with crackers or crusty bread for a delicious and elegant appetiser that's sure to impress your guests.

Mini lamb meatballs with mint yoghurt dip

For a taste of New Zealand's culinary heritage, why not serve mini lamb meatballs with a refreshing mint yoghurt dip? Season ground lamb with garlic, onion, herbs, and spices, then roll the mixture into bite-sized meatballs. Bake them in the oven until golden and cooked through, then serve them with a creamy yoghurt dip flavoured with fresh mint, lemon juice, and a hint of garlic. The combination of savoury lamb and tangy yoghurt is sure to be a hit with your guests and will leave them eagerly anticipating the rest of the meal. 

• Easter lunch and dinner ideas

Elevate your Kiwi Easter feast with showstopping main courses that celebrate the diverse culinary heritage of New Zealand. With Briscoes' range of cookware, roasting pans, and slow cookers, you'll have everything you need to achieve culinary perfection and impress your guests with these delicious Easter lunch and dinner ideas.  Here are two mouthwatering ideas to make your Easter lunch or dinner truly memorable:

Succulent lamb roast with kumara and seasonal vegetables

No Kiwi Easter celebration is complete without a succulent lamb roast as the centrepiece of the meal. Rub a leg or shoulder of lamb with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, then roast it in the oven until golden and tender. Serve the lamb alongside roasted kumara (sweet potatoes), carrots, and other seasonal vegetables for a hearty and flavorful dish that pays homage to New Zealand's agricultural bounty. Don't forget to drizzle the meat with its juices before serving for an extra burst of flavour.

Glazed ham with pineapple and cloves

For a classic Easter dish that's sure to impress, why not serve a glazed ham adorned with pineapple and cloves? Start by baking a pre-cooked ham in the oven until heated through, then brush it with a sweet and tangy glaze made from a combination of pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves. Arrange pineapple slices and whole cloves on top of the ham before returning it to the oven to caramelise the glaze. The result is a beautifully glazed ham that's both savoury and sweet, with a hint of spice from the cloves.

Seafood paella with fresh New Zealand seafood

Transport your guests to the sunny shores of Spain with a flavorful seafood paella made with fresh New Zealand seafood. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a large paella pan, then add Arborio rice and sauté until lightly toasted. Stir in saffron-infused broth, diced tomatoes, and a pinch of paprika, then arrange a colourful array of seafood such as prawns, mussels, and squid on top of the rice. Allow the paella to simmer gently until the rice is cooked and the seafood is tender, then garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges before serving. This vibrant and aromatic dish is sure to be a hit at your Easter celebration, with its bold flavours and stunning presentation capturing the essence of the Mediterranean.

• Easter dessert ideas 

No Kiwi Easter feast is complete without a selection of indulgent desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. With Briscoes' range of bakeware, mixing bowls, and dessert accessories, you'll have everything you need to create desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Here are two delightful dessert ideas to end your meal on a high note:

Traditional pavlova with kiwifruit and passionfruit

Embrace New Zealand's iconic dessert by serving a traditional pavlova topped with fresh kiwifruit and passionfruit. Start by whipping up a batch of meringue using egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, then shape it into a nest on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake the meringue in the oven until crisp on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside, then allow it to cool completely. Just before serving, fill the centre of the pavlova with whipped cream and top it with sliced kiwifruit and a generous drizzle of passionfruit pulp. The combination of crunchy meringue, creamy whipped cream, and tangy fruit is sure to delight your guests and leave them craving more.

Hokey pokey ice cream sundaes with manuka honey drizzle

For a fun and flavourful dessert option, why not serve hokey pokey ice cream sundaes drizzled with Manuka honey? Start by scooping generous scoops of vanilla ice cream into individual bowls, then sprinkle them with crunchy hokey pokey pieces for added texture and sweetness. Finish off the sundaes with a decadent drizzle of Manuka honey, which adds a rich and distinctive flavour that pairs perfectly with the creamy ice cream. Serve the sundaes with spoons and watch as your guests indulge in this irresistible treat.

Make Easter easy with Briscoes

As your Easter celebration wraps up, we hope our guide to Easter meal ideas has given you inspiration for a memorable feast with loved ones. From brunch to dessert, we've shared Kiwi-inspired recipes celebrating New Zealand's flavours. 

Make Easter easy with Briscoes. Whether you need cookware, bakeware, or anything else, we have what you need to create unforgettable Easter moments.