f Thanksgiving is all about the sides, Easter is all about the main. While we agonize over styles of stuffings, whole or smooth cranberry sauces, sweet potatoes with or without marshmallows, and so many other Turkey Day dilemmas, we tend to just cobble together a what-have-you assortment of sides to accompany the beloved Easter ham or lamb.
But we decided Easter side dishes deserve more respect, so we created this assortment of dishes to liven up your offerings. We start with peas. Nobody loves them straight up, but give them a simple saute with butter and a trio of seeds — caraway, coriander and mustard — and suddenly they are a dish worth getting excited about.
For a fresh take on salad, we created a broccoli slaw seasoned with Dijon mustard, as well as the zests and juices of a lemon and an orange. Chopped dried apricots add a sweet touch while toasted pine nuts offer a savory crunch.
Finally, we have a vegetable patty made from the main ingredients of ratatouille. Finished with fresh oregano, feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this is a side that can hold its own at the Easter table.
RATATOUILLE CAKES
3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 small red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ medium red bell pepper, cored and diced
1 small eggplant, grated
1 small zucchini, grated
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 egg, lightly beaten
¾ tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
½ tsp. dried thyme
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
2 tbsp. balsamic glaze
2 tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper and cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. Set aside.
Place the eggplant and zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible. Add to the onion mixture. Add the tomato paste, egg, salt, black pepper, thyme and breadcrumbs. Set aside.
Wipe out the skillet, then heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high. Working in batches, drop the vegetable mixture by the tablespoonful into the pan, flattening them with the back of a spoon. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with the cheese. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top and sprinkle with the oregano.
Makes 8 servings.
CITRUS-PINE NUT BROCCOLI SLAW
Zest and juice of 1 orange
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp. white balsamic or sherry vinegar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 heads broccoli, very finely chopped (about 6 cups)
¼ cup finely chopped dried apricots
3 scallions, thinly sliced
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
In a medium bowl, mix together the zests and juices of the orange and lemon. Whisk in the vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and olive oil. Add the broccoli, apricots and scallions and mix well. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the pine nuts.
Makes 8 servings.
BUTTER-SPICED SKILLET PEAS
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
½ tsp. caraway seeds
1 tsp. coriander seeds
½ tsp. mustard seeds
¼ tsp. smoked paprika
10 oz. sweet peas
Kosher salt and black pepper
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the caraway seeds, coriander, mustard and paprika. Cook, stirring frequently, until toasty smelling, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the peas and saute for 3 to 4 minutes, or until just tender. Season with salt and black pepper.
Makes 4 servings.