easter weekend

i'll be at the market on saturday & sunday this week. i know it's easter and all, but the market closes early enough to still make it to dinner on time. fyi, the international market is closed on friday but lots of places like the fish shop will be open and the regular market is open all weekend. 

i'm still working out the details but i'd like to do a mix & match easter dinner - choice of proteins and sides to build your own holiday spread. i already have a ginormous turkey from shani's farm which will be brined and roasted with gravy, and i'm going to prepare my grandma's recipe for ham as well. i typically hate ham, but this one is different, not all watery and gross. then i'm thinking roasted root veggies, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, steamed asparagus, crunchy salads, dinner rolls... i love holiday meals and always go way overboard so we'll see just how much i can pump out. i'm also going to make some fun & fantastical easter-themed cupcakes and super cute bunny shaped shortbread cookies.

here's what else i'll have for the weekend:

fishcakes and baked beans - panko crust, salt cod, summer savoury (serves 2)   $12

lobster mac & cheese - tomatoes, leek bechamel, foxhill cheese curds, parmesan crust     small $10 (serves 1) family $28 (serves 3-4)

osso buco style braised beef shanks, getaway farm, parmesan polenta, rapini (serves 2)   $20

curried chicken, chickpeas, butternut squash, roasted cauliflower, basmati rice (serves 2)   $16

honey mustard roasted pork loin, scalloped potatoes with foxhill curds, steamed brussel sprouts (serves 2)   $15

sausage & cheese curd penne, shani's farm, caramelized onions, parmesan marinara, swiss chard  small $7.50 (serves 1) large $15 (serves 2)

chicken, leek, broccoli & bacon pie, puff pastry lid and herb gravy (serves 2-3)  $16

lamb & feta meatballs, zucchini, roasted peppers, kalamata olive and sundried tomato marinara, lemony basil couscous (serves 2)   $18

same dish without the meatballs - i've been calling it 'mediterranean couscous' (serves 2) $10

soups & chowder - $5 each (500 ml serving)

roasted red pepper, tomato and sweet potato (spicy)

curried butternut squash

carrot, apple, ginger

beet, parsnip & pear

cream of broccoli & cauliflower

seafood chowder - mussels, clams, halibut & smoked haddock

root vegetable veloute (really awesome velvety soup)

beef & barley (slightly spicy)

thai turkey & rice

vegan vegetable stew

in an ideal world i'll also be able to rock out a batch of miso mushroom soup, red lentil dahl, and mexican posole - this is all, of course, contingent on my caffeine consumption and freezer space.

this week i also have a few special orders to fulfill - but i think they're surprises so i won't elaborate until next week...