Festivals call for traditional feasts. And Easter is no exception. From smoked salmon to traditional Easter breads, hot crossed buns to roasted lamb, every traditional Easter recipe has a story to tell.
Claver, a guitarist, recalls his mom’s all-time favourite Easter recipe of roasted lamb. “As kids, we grew up listening to the story behind cooking the lamb. It was roasted and eaten, together with bread and bitter herbs, hoping that the angel of God would pass over their homes and bring no harm,” he says.
Shibu TP, vice president of Under One Roof Hotel Consultants, fondly recalls the aroma of freshly baked hot cross buns on Easter. “I still relish hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday. These warm, fluffy and fruity buns have a cross carved on top of the bun to symbolise the cross that Lord Jesus was crucified on. Sharing one of these fruity treats is meant to cement friendships.” Having said that, Shibu regrets the fact that only a handful of places now serve traditional hot cross buns on Good Friday.
One of the most sought after Easter delicacies is the Simnel cake. Out of the various versions available, pastry chef Ayub Salem from The Grand in the city says, “The Shrewsburry Simnel cake has triumphed. The cake is a blend of black currant, orange peel, almond stuffing and the eleven balls placed on top of the cake represent the eleven apostles of Christ.”
Apart from that, he says, the Easter Egg is a symbol of resurrection — within its womb the egg carries the hope of life shielded from the fatalities of the world. “Even though traditionally eggs are painted red, we have chocolate eggs stuffed with marzipan, marshmallows and candies,” adds Salem.
While talking about traditional Easter specials, the mention of Easter pies cannot be ruled out. “Making Easter pies is a very popular tradition. The process is elaborate, the ingredients include a generous use of cheese and eggs, and the end result is always the same — a surefire winner. The day before Easter, mothers and grannies bake these incredibly yummy pies,” says chef Sahil Arora, Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon.