Easter, a New Beginning
Easter has always been associated with springtime.
It symbolizes hope, renewal and fertility. Easter is traditionally
a religious holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Easter
customs and symbols are closely related to food. - Berry Punch
- Green Bean Salad
- Roast Rabbit with thyme
- Rack of Lamb
- Maple Glazed Ham
- Cheese Tray
- Gingered cantaloupe
- Chocolate whipped cream
- Apples in Red Wine
Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is characterized by a forty day fast that symbolizes sacrifice, and breaks at Easter. People prepared for Lent by using up all the leftover grease to fry foods (Mardi Gras). Eggs, which were often forbidden during Lent, were used to make pancakes (Pancake Tuesday). The third Thursday in Lent was a moment of respite before the beginning of the final Holy Week fast that began on the Thursday before Easter. People made enormous sacrifices during the Holy Week, eating only dry bread and water. Easter was a day for rejoicing on which deserts, sweets and meats could once again be consumed to the heart's content. As April is also sugaring off season, maple syrup figured prominently on the menu.
All the traditions surrounding Easter have changed with time, and have become mostly commercial.
- Hot Cross Buns, which can only be found before Easter, are marked with a cross on top.
- They were prepared on Holy Thursday or Holy Friday to be at their best on Easter Sunday.
- Some people believed that eating Hot Cross Buns would bring them health all year long.
- This custom began as a pagan custom, which associated water with spring.
- It precedes Holy Water and can be traced back to the Druids.
- Our ancestors fetched water from a spring, a brook or a river before sunup on Easter morning. They fetched enough water to last throughout the year.
- It was believed that this water had properties that prevented it from tainting, along with healing and protective powers.
- Everyone drank a glass of Easter Water during the Easter meal to be strong and protected all year round.
- The egg is without a doubt the most well known universal symbol of renewal and fertility. It promises birth.
- In the IVth century, the Church forbade the use of eggs during Lent. Eggs were thus dipped in sheep grease or melted wax so they would keep until Easter. The eggs were decorated and dyed with concoctions made from plants and flowers to make them more appealing. In Europe, the biggest egg laid during the Holy Week was wrapped in a red ribbon and given to the King.
- After Lent, on Easter morning, there were large quantities of eggs in the households. The return of eggs at mealtime was celebrated by making omelettes and other egg rich pastries, giving the eggs to the children and exchanging them as gifts.
- Many customs give Easter eggs powers to heal, bring on wealth and protect.
- Nowadays, Easter eggs are made of chocolate, and decorated with a ribbon to maintain some of the tradition.
- The first Easter Bunny was a… hare, and is said to be linked to ancient oriental culture.
- The rabbit symbolizes abundance. As we all know, rabbits are very fertile and prolific, and their mating season is in the spring.
- Associating the rabbit with eggs is a German tradition, and offering chocolate bunnies is an idea that came from XVIIIth century merchants who though that the idea could be amusing after the sacrifices made during Lent.
- It is said that the rabbit filled the basket with multicoloured eggs the night before Easter. In the morning, the children would have fun hunting for the eggs.
- The lamb, which symbolizes virtue, softness and whiteness, is the traditional meat for the Easter meal.
- Symbolizing purity, it represents the lamb Abraham offered in sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.
- For suggestions on marinades, coatings and aromatic complements, or for more information on cooking techniques for lamb, visit the Culinary Guide section on our website.
- Ham was traditionally reserved for royalty and special occasions. Ham has been served during Holy Week celebrations as far back as the middle Ages.
- Ham is pork meat that is salted, and often smoked and cured.
- Ham comes from the pork's rump. I can also be made from other parts of the hog, which do not offer the same flavour or tenderness.
- Ham can be purchased in various forms, such as ready to serve, ready to cook, or cured (Bayonne, Westphalian, Parma).
- Ham is traditionally served with eggs or an omelette, pork rinds and toasted homemade bread, and covered with maple syrup. This traditional sugar shack meal is a very popular Easter tradition
Celebrate brunch with a sun-filled brunch. We are offering you simple recipes featuring eggs and ham. Don't forget the traditional Easter egg hunt for the children. Children that still believe in Santa Claus will be thrilled with the tale of the Easter Bunny!