Easter

Easter is one of my favorite cooking holidays because the table gets to feel special without the pressure of Christmas dinner. The menu leans bright and fresh — spring vegetables, citrus everything, and at least one showstopper that makes the whole house smell incredible.

For the main event, the Garlic Fennel Roast Rack of Lamb is the Easter centerpiece I come back to every year. If lamb isn’t your thing, the Stovetop Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto is a gorgeous alternative that tastes like you spent all day on it. On the side, Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions and Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey Sage Brown Butter round out the table without stealing the show.

Easter brunch deserves its own moment — the Apricot Prosciutto Puff Pastry Braid is the recipe that looks like it came from a bakery and takes 30 minutes. For dessert, the Citrus Dream Tart and Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust are everything spring should taste like. And if you want to go full showstopper, the Pavlova Wreath with Raspberry Coulis dressed in spring fruit is the dessert that earns the gasps.