What are you eating at Easter?

I've been told that before, people can get really offended at what they see as a national dish being refused.

I don't mind cooking I'm just not going to make a big fuss if there's only me and Mum, we eat well everyday all year. I just wish I had access to better ingredients and more reliable access too. If I was on my own, I'd probably live off rice and dhal with a few veggies, soup and salad and some pasta.

Someone once threw a total (out of nowhere) tantrum (in front of other people) because I had left on the dinner plate: a heap of Mixed Mustard and Cress. 

I had not asked for Mustard and Cress (as I had a medical reason to avoid it).

Quite why it was such an apparent "big deal"? - I will never know.

In hindsight, I should have learned a stronger "pay attention" lesson to that strange outburst - as later events in life demonstrated, time and again, the person did not really have my best interests at heart.  Live and learn.

Excellent suggestion. The tart would ‘cleanse’ the palate after the lamb.

I’m also considering a North African or Middle Eastern type lamb dish, not lamb tagine although I enjoy them.

ArchaeC said:

lamb dish and something with lemon afterwards

Maybe a supermarket lamb curry and a lemon tart after. That would be very refreshing.

Roy said:

memories from childhood of, “you’re not leaving the table until…”

I used to be forced to eat the vile mashed potato at school, which was lumpy and cardboardy. Yes, thank goodness this Victorian habit has died the death! And I love mash now - especially instant mash when I have no enery to make from scratch.

Cinnabar_wing said:

maybe suggest keep it off the table and put some candles or flowers down instead?

Yes, that would be lovely. I like to buy myself flowers on all the holidays, not just on my two birthdays. 

Cinnabar_wing said:

Don't beat yourself up about your food needs,

Quite right. Holidays whether at home or away need to be joyful for everyone.

Sarah Brown vegetarian cookery books are pretty reliable - I think Dorling Kindersley took on her name as a brand and there are many books under her name.

TheCatWoman said:

at least nobodies told me I can't be veggie at xmas or easter.

No indeed they should not. And I hope you get others to cook for you this holiday. 

Roy said:

I really struggle with vegetables or joints of meat, the textures are just too weird. Im starting to struggle with looking at part of a cooked animal sitting on the dinner table.

I get this. It is a very valid question - we are now more sensitive to the fact that everyone's body and inclinations are different, so too their ethical concerns, and rightly so. No one should feel pressured at what is a holiday time and should be a time you can have what you want without guilt. The fact that there is so much choice and different ingredients makes this easier.

Roy said:

we can then choose different meals,

What about buffet-style ['party food'] - a large selection of dishes to help your self from, laid out on a table, so you help yourself then take your plate and eat on your lap? If meat sight/smells bother you, you might have vege and meat/poultry laid out in separate rooms, but still eat together. Eating out is so expensive and often noisy.

Roy said:

I most probably just sound silly and too demanding, sorry to go so deeply into what is a simple question.

It's neither silly nor demanding and a very valid question, which will apply to many people on here!

A roast dinner is one of my least favourite meals, being veggie I always get the same questions about what I'm going to eat, at least nobodies told me I can't be veggie at xmas or easter.

A walk and a sandwich sounds good to me. 

Roy said:

I would much prefer a walk along the coast and then stop for a nice sandwich, a bowl of chips and a latte

Wow, that actually sounds amazing. I hope you get to do this one day! I bet it would be the best Easter ever!

Thanks for your kind reply, I’m in Cornwall at Easter, I would much prefer a walk along the coast and then stop for a nice sandwich, a bowl of chips and a latte. I totally understand how your son must feel, large meals are off putting. I’ve been experimenting with Quorn, a spag-Bol or sweet & sour is actually quite enjoyable . Our son even approves of them.

A lot of the struggle is the build-up to things like Christmas and Easter. It’s traditional that you must do X, Y and Z. 
I’ve still got memories from childhood of, “you’re not leaving the table until…” I’m glad you understand your son better.

I can understand it being very off-putting for a roast on the table, maybe suggest keep it off the table and put some candles or flowers down instead? We tried a nut roast at Christmas along side a turkey crown, as my son said he doesn't really like turkey, though he didn't like the taste of the alternative (will have to try another recipe, as he tends to prefer vegetarian options but the flavour was a bit strong). I've come to accept that my son just doesn't like big meals like that either. He had a sandwich for Christmas dinner this year as that was the back up if he didn't like either option (this was what my older brother did too when i was growing up). And to make it look special, it's amazing what putting a table cloth down, napkins and a few candles can do. If you order some nice decorations, maybe changing the food to less traditional would be easier for her then?

Don't beat yourself up about your food needs, I think it's okay to have your preferences and it sounds like you have enough pressure already. If you can find recipes that look special and suit you both would be good, lasagna is a good example. Maybe try to frame it as more dietry than ND vs NT. If you went vegetarian, would she respect that?

These sort of occasions often cause problems in our household, for what is basically the traditional Sunday Roast.

I really struggle with vegetables or joints of meat, the textures are just too weird. Im starting to struggle with looking at part of a cooked animal sitting on the dinner table. I seem to be changing, the whole smell of it all being cooked really makes me feel ill. The thought of a huge plateful is horrible, it’s the build up to it and a different type of day.
There will most probably just be my wife and I, she loves a roast dinner, hopefully we can compromise, I would prefer a good lasagna and wild rocket. I know lasagna is meat, I seem to manage processed meat at the moment.

Might try and eat out, we can then choose different meals, then there’s the worry of too many people and noise, these occasions can lead to the, “ you just don’t try anymore, you make it all about you.” I used to mask with alcohol, I don’t want that anymore.  

I most probably just sound silly and too demanding, sorry to go so deeply into what is a simple question.

I did hear some mention Lemon drizzle! now there is heaven on a plate! 

Well then, a straightforward lemon trifle would be a better option for me and it would taste delicious.

Ha, ha, certainly nice but never sublime! It tasted very orangy but as it took most of an afternoon I doubt I would make it again. 

Gosh Marianne—that’s quite something!

Was it more than ‘very nice’?

I would have hoped it would be sublime after all the work needed to make it.

Thank you. It looks nice and is a potential make for Easter.

I saw it, downloaded the recipe and deleted it only a week ago because I couldn’t possibly manage all the ingredients and stages required to make it. My friend is an excellent baker and even she thought it was all a bit too much hassle. If she made it she would substitute some of the ingredients. 

I do agree it looked gorgeous and I would like it at Easter. 

Thinking of something with lemon afterwards - I have made this Lemon Drizzle Traybake before.

It makes 18 serving squares.  What is handy (for smaller households / making ahead for an event); in the recipe tips there are hints on freezing ahead the whole thing for up to 2 months, or, as individual portions for up to 1 month. 

Otherwise, to get a bit ahead on the preparation for entertaining a crowd; it can be made and stored in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.  This is what I tend to do - for less hassle and washing up "on the day", or to surprise someone for a celebration treat / divide up the portions for sharing among other households as a take-home-with-you gift. 

It is easy to transport to community "bring a dish" events, or picnics, (as you are not trying to avoid disturbing butter icing decoration etc.), during it's transport to the venue in the traybake aluminium foil containers sold by supermarkets.

www.bbc.co.uk/.../lemon_drizzle_traybake_01890

Yes, also add clotted cream, a wafer and a flake. If you're having one, you may as well go grand.