Colourful table decorations for Easter.


My fingertips have a rosy hue, a mixture of muted purple, red and blue and the result of colouring and decorating six dozen eggs for Easter. Despite briefly starting off with my hands clad in rubber gloves, I found them cumbersome, not at all tactile and swiftly took them off.

Yes, I realise that’s a lot of eggs. My husband pointed out that perhaps I was “going overboard again” and he was completely correct. However, I rarely do anything by halves and after all it is Easter, a celebration worthy of a feast and these eggs are part of the festivities. My children took baskets of beautifully decorated eggs to share at church and to their grandparent’s house. They played an egg cracking game which involved trying to gently break the top or bottom of another person’s egg using their own. It is loads of fun and a great way to break the ice and make new friends, spread the Easter greeting and enjoy the day with loved ones. 

This is the first Easter that I have not planned, prepped, baked, cooked, basted or concocted a single dish. Not one. Zero. My mother-in-law insisted on cooking EVERYTHING! Picture this and drool… home made chicken soup with hand-made noodles served alongside Easter bread stuffed with cheese…platters of veal schnitzel, sticky baked lamb leg and tender pork neck roast, plus tiny potatoes baked in the sweet juices of the roasted meats. Add to this a selection of fresh salads including my favourite, finely shredded cabbage with an olive oil vinaigrette, a creamy egg, carrot, pea and potato salad and a golden cauliflower gratin. The chatter at the table was reduced significantly as we hummed with delight over lunch. Unfortunately I have no photos of this feast to upload on Cabinet of Cookery, as I was too absorbed in enjoying lunch and the company around the table. 

My mother-in-law’s marshmallow pavlova.


Just as I felt there was not a since centimetre of space left in my stomach, out came the most magnificent pavlova. At least I managed to snap a shot! Marshmallow sticky and soft in the middle, with a thin crispy crust and layers of whipped cream laden with fresh fruit. Well, there is always room for dessert like this! 


My children’s Godmother Linda, fashioned these bunny cupcakes out of an assortment of lollies as part of the Easter hunt in their backyard yesterday. But there is no need to wait until next Easter to give these a go. Bunny cupcakes would make an eye-catching edible addition to a children’s birthday party or school fete.