Chocolate eggs are practically obligatory at Easter but there are other presents to give during the season to your host, you know — traditional essentials to eat and spring-like treats to give.
How about these.
Apostle Simnel Cake, by Betty’s of Harrogate
Now this is the essential English Easter cake: a light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan in the middle and on top, with 11 marzipan balls for the apostles minus the traitor Judas. This one has a nice moist crumb and well-flavoured marzipan and looks lovely. Fortnum and Mason also does a very good Simnel (from £22.95). bettys.co.uk
The Italian Easter cake
The columba (Lina Stores, £15.95) is similar to panettone but in the shape of a dove for peace (actually, if you didn’t know, you’d be hard pressed to identify a bird) with candied peel and a crunchy sugar and almond glaze. This excellent version from the Fiasconaro family in Sicily is light and flavoursome with vanilla and honey. linastores.co.uk
Spiced Easter Biscuits, Betty’s of Harrogate
Betty’s again, but for their very traditional Easter biscuits, buttery, crumbly, with spices and currants (£7.50). The box, with its jolly pictures, is lovely. This is what you want with your Easter Sunday tea. bettys.co.uk
Shoulder of Lamb, Parson’s Nose
Easter means Paschal Lamb, no? This succulent shoulder on the bone is pricey, but it’s from flavoursome Essex marsh lamb, feeds six and is nicely presented. If there’s only a couple of you, or if you’re buying for someone living alone, a very good option is the boneless Lamb Rump mini-roast (£16.46). The company also offers its own lamb gravy and mint jelly, and if you’re pushing the boat out, try the garlicky potatoes Dauphinoise (£10.50). parsonsnose.co.uk
Lamb Wellington, Fortnum and Mason
Here’s a little showstopper: a lamb wellington in elegant buttery puff pastry (£70), which takes no effort to cook and cuts down on the washing up. The lamb is from Cornwall and matured for flavour and tenderness. Yum. Bear in mind it arrives partially defrosted so follow the instructions. Serves four. fortnumandmason.com
Easter Cheese Board, Paxton and Whitfield
This is a cracking selection of cheese that’s just right for the time of year and a worthy end to a Paschal feast. It includes the moreish Sparkenhoe Blue from Shropshire; delicious creamy sheep’s milk Wigmore, a tangy Montgomery’s Cheddar and the light, slightly sharp St Jude, plus an excellent damson preserve and sourdough crackers for £45. It would be a very welcome offering for an Easter lunch chez McDonagh. paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk
Wine for Good Friday fish: Errázuriz Gran Reserva Chardonnay
This well balanced Chilean chardonnay from a respected estate would go well with a Good Friday fish pie or indeed oysters. Good Friday is traditionally be a fast day but it doesn’t mean you have to hold back on the wine (£8.99). waitrose.com
Red wine for Easter Sunday lamb: 2023 Berry Bros & Rudd Cotes du Rhone Rough by Remi Pouzin
This organic, fruity wine would pair nicely with roast lamb. Berry Bros says: “The palate has a deliciously fresh yet silky mouthfeel, full of juicy red and black berries, while the sweet, bright fruit lingers alongside a lick of cranberry on the long, refreshing finish.” I say, yum. (£14.95) bbr.com
Lovely flowers: Petersham Meadows bouquet, Bramble and Moss
At this time of year you can get beautiful bulb flowers but if you want something different from tulips and narcissi, this very pretty bouquet looks as if it’s been gathered from the hedgerows, with cultivated wild flowers, typically scabious, cow parsley and little green hellebores. It’s not too big and comes in a vase (£50). brambleandmoss.co.uk
L’Aperitivo hamper, Lina Stores
So…you’re grazing on an Easter bank holiday and you want something easy, nibbly and moreish. Look no further than this excellent selection, including salami, pecorino cheese, olives, crackers, pepper cream and fashionable cima di rape (a sort of long stemmed broccoli) in a jar. It starts from £70, and for an extra £30, there’s a bottle of very decent Negroni. All in a lovely stripey jute bag. linastores.co.uk
