Spring Recipes for a Crowd- Passover or Easter

Our family celebrates the holiday of Passover which is on Monday April 10th. Passover has a very specific menu. We are not allowed to eat leavened bread, we eat Matzoh. The story of Passover is an interesting one, and one that we recall at our dinner table on the night of Passover. Here's a great dessert to make for your gathering this year... and it involves chocolate!

Salted Chocolate Pots de CrèmeServes 6-8

You will need:– 1 ½ cup whole milk– 1/2 cup whipping cream– 5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped– 1 teaspoon sea salt, or flake salt– 6 large egg yolks– 1/3 cup sugar– 1 cup whipped cream for toppingTo prepare:Preheat oven to 325°F. Bring milk and cream just to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and salt; whisk until melted and smooth. Whisk yolks and sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture. Strain mixture into another bowl. Cool 10 minutes, skimming any foam from surface.Divide custard mixture among six 3/4-cup custard cups or soufflé dishes. Cover each with foil. Place cups in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Bake until custards are set but centers still move slightly when gently shaken, about 55 minutes. Remove from water. Remove foil. Chill custards until cold, about 3 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.) Top with whip cream, and serve.Photo by Sarah DorioStyled by MoiOne of my favorite entertaining stories was for Atlanta Magazine's Home. It was a Greek Easter party thrown by good friends every year, a party we always look forward to. Greek tradition calls for this sweet bread which makes a lovely and festive presentation. Imagine taking it somewhere for your Easter feast. Get all the recipes and the full feature here.

TSOUREKI (Easter Sweet Bread)Serves 4 loaves

You will need:– 7 cups Flour– 3 quick rise yeast packets– ½ cup warm water– 1¾ cup sugar– ½ teaspoon salt– 1 Tablespoon mahlepi– 1 teaspoon mastic– 1 teaspoon vanilla– 2 teaspoon lemon & orange zest (mixed)– 5 eggs (room temperature)– ½ cup hot milk– 1 cup melted butterNote : All ingredients should be warm or at the very least room temperature to help the dough rise faster.Egg Wash for bread:– 1 egg– a few drops of vanilla– 1 Tablespoon water– ½ cup of sliced almondsTo Prepare:

1. Mix warm water and yeast, set aside.
2. In a large bowl put flour, make a whole with your hands in the center of the flour to put the sugar, zest, salt, spices and mix that your hands. Add hot milk and mix again with your hands. Once the dough is incorporated add eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Then add the yeast water mixture, your dough should be stringy when pulled apart.
3. Next pour melted butter into the bowl one handful at a time and fold the dough (do not knead the dough). Pull and fold and pour in melted butter, repeat until you’ve used all the butter. Don’t worry if you see butter puddle around the edges, it will absorb as the dough rises.
4. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap that it tucked down inside the bowl touching the dough. Then wrap the entire bowl in towels and place in a warm place for the dough to rise for about 2 hours. Once dough has risen, separate into 4 equal parts. Then separate each of the four parts into three pieces and roll the dough with your hands into approximately 14 inch long and about finger thickness.
5. Braid the three long cylinder pieces just like you would braid hair. You will have 4 braids.
6. Place each braid in a 12” round pan that has been lined with parchment paper and cover with towel, place in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes for dough to rise again.
7. Once each of the braids have risen, prepare the egg wash. Beat the egg with water and vanilla then brush each of the braids, this will give the bread a beautiful shine.
8. Place pans into a preheated 350° oven (2 at a time) and bake for 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the dough, if you see it getting too brown, cover with foil until baked through.
9. Once bread has cooled, cut out the center and place a hard boiled egg that has been dyed red sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Photo by: PATRICK HEAGNEYStyled by Moixx Annette