Are you hosting Easter this year? Not only is Hempler’s ready to make your meal amazing by offering the best ham around, but we’ve also lightened your load by planning the entire meal for you.
Here’s how to include Hempler’s in all aspects of your holiday table (not just the ham), along with a schedule to put it all together so your holiday hosting duties are nearly stress-free!
Appetizers: Sour Cream and Bacon Deviled Eggs by Simply Recipes and a Ranch and Bacon Cheese Ball by Genius Kitchen
You need something for your guests to nosh as they arrive. Since you’ve already got a bunch of hard-boiled eggs from the egg-dyeing fun, deviled eggs are a natural choice. And who doesn’t love a good cheese ball?
Main: Hempler’s Ham with Apricot Glaze
Hempler’s hams are fully cooked and just need to be reheated – it doesn’t get any more simple. They’re moist and flavorful all on their own, but you can kick it up a notch by adding a sweet spring glaze.
Side: Hempler’s Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Asparagus is a fantastic spring vegetable that will elevate your table. Make it even better by wrapping it in bacon! Plus, you can cook these on the grill to make more space in the oven for the rest of your dishes.
Side: Herbed Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon by Carlsbad Cravings
Do something different besides the traditional mashed potatoes. This dish is so indulgent and upscale – perfect for a holiday gathering. Plus, it’s got bacon!
Salad: Strawberry Spinach Salad with Bacon and Gorgonzola by Meatloaf and Melodrama
This fresh and colorful offering will look amazing on your spring table, and offer your health-conscious guests a light option.
Rolls: Easter Bunny Rolls by Bombshell Bling paired with Bacon Jam by Savory Experiments
These rolls are simple and cute, and a perfect whimsical addition to your menu. They don’t contain bacon…but we’ve rectified that by finding a bacon jam you can make in advance and serve as a spread.
Dessert: Maple Bacon Mini-Cheesecakes by Handle the Heat
Finish strong! These sweet personal-sized cheesecakes are a cute way to wrap up your holiday. And it can finish the same way it started – with bacon!
Once you’ve finalized your menu, it’s time to get organized. Do as much as you can in advance, and recruit a few of your guests to hang out with you in the kitchen. Trust me – they’ll love the opportunity to help as much as you love the help itself.
COOKING SCHEDULE
Thursday prior to Easter
Mix apricot glaze.
Make balsamic vinaigrette for salad.
Make bacon jam.
Friday prior to Easter
Boil a dozen eggs (if you don’t already have a bunch of hard-boiled ones you’ve dyed).
Cook and crumble 1 package of bacon.
Saturday prior to Easter
Make cheese ball.
Make cheesecakes.
Make deviled eggs (do not garnish).
Sunday (Easter)
11:00 am – Make dough for rolls and set aside to rise.
1:00 pm – Roll cheese ball in topping using a little over half of your pre-crumbled bacon. Garnish deviled eggs with paprika, chives, and remaining bacon crumbles (reserving 2 Tb).
1:30 pm – Assemble potato casserole. Pre-heat oven to 275.
1:45 pm – Put your ham in the oven. (NOTE: The cooking time of your ham will vary based on weight; calculate the unique time you should put your ham in the oven based on 15-18 minutes of cooking time per pound at 275 degrees)
2:30 pm – Put potato casserole in the oven at heat dicated in recipe. Form rolls and begin second rise.
3:00 pm – Assemble bacon-wrapped asparagus spears. Preheat grill.
3:15 pm – Top potato casserole with cheese.
3:30 pm – Remove potato casserole from oven if done. Reduce oven heat back to 275. Assemble the salad – use the last of your pre-made bacon crumbles.
3:40 pm – Recruit someone to cook bacon-wrapped asparagus spears on the grill.
3:45 pm – Remove ham from the oven. Raise heat to 350. Pop rolls in.
3:50 pm – Glaze ham. Melt butter. Heat bacon jam.
3:57 pm – Remove rolls from oven; brush tops with butter.
4:00 pm – Time to eat!
What’s your favorite dish served in your family at Easter?
