How much ham do I need per person?

About 3/4 pound of bone-in ham or 1/3 to 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person.

Is spiral ham already cooked?

Yes. Most spiral-cut hams are fully cooked; reheat them to 140 degrees F at 325 degrees F, covered, and glaze at the end.

What are traditional Easter side dishes?

Asparagus, scalloped or cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots, deviled eggs and soft dinner rolls.

Easter Dinner

Easter dinner is a celebration of spring: a glazed ham at the center, the first asparagus, carrots and new potatoes, warm rolls, and strawberries and lemon for dessert. Roast chicken or salmon make a lighter main course for a smaller table.

To start

Asparagus Roll-Ups45 min total | 40 pieces
Asparagus spears rolled in flattened white bread spread with a blue cheese and cream cheese filling, brushed with butter and baked at 400°F until lightly browned. Makes 40.
Carrot Soup with Ginger50 min total
A smooth, bright carrot soup pureed with onion and fresh ginger, seasoned with cinnamon and finished with a swirl of light cream.

Main course

Brown Sugar Glazed Holiday Ham2 hr 40 min total | 12 to 16 servings
A spiral-cut ham warmed slowly and brushed with a glossy brown sugar, Dijon, orange and clove glaze until caramelized. Serves 12 to 16.
Lemon Herb Roast Chicken1 hr 55 min total | 4 to 6 servings
A whole chicken rubbed with garlic herb butter under the skin, filled with lemon and onion and roasted at 425°F until the skin is crisp and golden. Serves 4 to 6.
Lemon Herb Baked Salmon24 min total | 4 servings
Salmon fillets brushed with a lemon, garlic, Dijon and fresh dill butter and baked at 400°F until just flaky. Ready in about 25 minutes; serves 4.

Spring sides and rolls

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan22 min total | 4 servings
Asparagus spears roasted at 425°F with olive oil and garlic until tender-crisp, then finished with lemon zest, lemon juice and shaved Parmesan. Serves 4.
Deluxe Cheesy Potatoes1 hr 15 min total | Serves 6
Boxed hash browns with onions, rehydrated and mixed with Cheddar, sour cream, milk, onion and butter, topped with corn flake crumbs and baked at 375°F. Serves 6.
Lyonnaise Carrots20 min total | Serves 4
Thinly sliced carrots simmered in butter with onion or shallots, thyme, a little sugar, salt and pepper until tender. Serves 4.
Lowell Inn Crescent Rolls2 hr 15 min total | 32 rolls
Soft, buttery yeast crescent rolls: a sweet dough risen once, rolled into circles, cut into wedges, rolled into crescents and baked at 400°F. Makes 32 rolls.

Strawberry and lemon desserts

Fresh Strawberry Pie3 hr 25 min total | Serves 6 to 8
An easy summer pie: whole fresh strawberries in a baked crust under a glaze of cooked crushed berries, sugar and cornstarch, chilled and served with whipped cream.
Lemon Tea Bread1 hr total | 1 (5 x 9-inch) loaf
A tender lemon loaf made with cake flour and lemon rind, finished with a lemon juice and sugar glaze poured over while hot to form a tart, crackly crust.
Strawberry Shortcake1 hr 10 min total | 8 servings
Tender homemade cream biscuits split and filled with juicy sugared strawberries and softly whipped cream. A summer classic; serves 8.
Lemon Baked Alaska13 hr total | 1 (9-inch) pie
Sandra's all-time favorite: layers of vanilla ice cream and homemade lemon curd frozen in a pie crust, then covered with meringue and browned in a 500°F oven.

Buying and heating ham

Ham	Plan on, per person
Bone-in ham	about 3/4 pound
Boneless ham	about 1/3 to 1/2 pound

Most holiday hams, including spiral-cut hams, are fully cooked and only need reheating. Warm them at 325°F to 140°F in the center, covered so they do not dry out, and glaze in the last 20 to 30 minutes. A ham that is labeled "cook before eating" must reach 145°F. Leftover ham keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, and the bone makes a good pot of split pea soup.

Planning Easter dinner

The day before: bake the strawberry pie and lemon tea bread, make the soup, and prepare the asparagus roll-ups to bake later.
Easter morning: make the roll dough and the potatoes.
Two to three hours before dinner: put the ham in the oven; roast the asparagus and bake the rolls while it rests.

Frequently asked questions

How much ham do I need per person?: About 3/4 pound of bone-in ham or 1/3 to 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person.
Is spiral ham already cooked?: Yes. Most spiral-cut hams are fully cooked; reheat them to 140 degrees F at 325 degrees F, covered, and glaze at the end.
What are traditional Easter side dishes?: Asparagus, scalloped or cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots, deviled eggs and soft dinner rolls.