Joe and I hosted Easter dinner this year. We had a plan. My in-laws were going to bring ham, kielbasa, and kugeli. My mom and sister were going to bring corn pudding. Joe and I were going to make the rest of the dishes, and the menu was all set.

I’m not sure why, but my mother-in-law made enough food to feed my whole neighborhood. She showed up with seven dishes. Seven – more than twice what she’d originally said she was bringing. Everything she made was lovely and delicious, and her gesture was both sweet and kind, but the food was excessive and unnecessary. (That’s not to say that I don’t appreciate all of her hard work. I do. I just don’t understand why she did so much more than we’d discussed.)

And my dad didn’t come because he was not feeling well, so we had one less belly to fill than we’d planned.

And everyone brought their own drink, which I found odd. Whatever.

Here’s what we ended up having for Easter dinner:

• A relish tray with black olives, stuffed green olives, and deviled eggs
• A ham, prepared by my father-in-law
• Kielbasa – purchased at Kowalonek’s Kielbasa Shop (that’s pronounced Kuv-a-len-ik’s if you’re curious) and then boiled before dinner
• Kugeli – a traditional Lithunian potato casserole, prepared by my mother- and father-in-law (I’ll share the recipe for this if I can get it.)
• Baked pineapple
• Coleslaw
• Pickled red beets and pickled eggs
• Baked corn pudding
• Asparagus Mimosa Salad and plain roasted asparagus
  
• Leek tart – a recipe I found at a blog called A Storm of Thoughts
• Carrot souffle – a recipe I saw on Foodie Mama
• Grand’s really big flaky buttered biscuits served with real butter and homemade jam – I know they’re cheating, but my Dad loves them.
• Paula Deen’s Chocolate Banana Gorilla Bread
• Tropical cheesecake – an orange cheesecake with a chocolate frosting, served with an orange mango pineapple puree (I’ll share the recipe for this later in April.)

The meal was excessive – and wonderfully delicious. I wish I’d taken a picture of the whole buffet spread out on my dining room table. It was impressive.

Alas, I forgot, and we attacked the dishes with a vengeance. There’s not enough leftover to piece together a photo now, so you’ll have to use your imagination.

Happy Easter!

Happily submitted to Mouthwatering Mondays, Homemaking Monday, Making a Happy Home Monday, Make Something Monday, and I am Blissfully Domestic

Don’t forget to stop back on Thursday for Grace’s Kitchen!