TOP 7 FOODS FOR YOUR EASTER TABLE (with recipes)

Easter is a celebration of joy and happiness, but it's also a real opportunity for the whole family to get together. The point of the holiday is togetherness, warm atmosphere, closeness and sharing things, all that on a solemn festive Easter lunch.Easter lent, which is considered the strictest in Christianity, lasts 40 days and culminates on Holy Friday and Holy Saturday, while on Sunday, lean menu is replaced by a solemn greasy lunch and a rich Easter table.Central part of the Easter table takes a decorated plate with Easter eggs. Host takes the first egg, followed by the other family members. Then, there is celebration and contest whose egg was the hardest, which is a great joy for children. While breaking eggs, it is pronounced "Christ is Risen" and "Truly He is Risen." Easter egg is eaten first, and then the rest of the meal.Besides dyed eggs plate, central place on the table takes the lamb, which has symbolic significance and represents Christ's innocence. Starting with a lamb stew, through varieties of roasted lamb,  the main meal is complemented with colorful spring salad, Easter braid, sweets etc.

1.EASTER EGG-A SYMBOL OF EASTER

In Republic of Macedonia, the most common religion is Orthodox Christianity, practiced by most of the ethnic Macedonians (around 70% of the population).
These days, orthodox Christians are intensively preparing for one of the most joyful Christian holidays - Easter, the feast of Christ's Resurrection. With open hearts, calm and joy,  believers celebrate the return of Jesus Christ from the dead and the victory over death, greeting with the words "Christ is Risen - Truly He is risen!".

2.EASTER SALAD

This is my favorite salad after shopska salad. So light, so easy, so spring! It reminds me of family gathering and joy. This salad and its variations are made in almost every home. The base of the salad are lettuce and eggs, but  you can do different combinations with additional ingredients such as olives, garlic or sunflower seeds.

3. EASTER SALAD WITH POTATOES, EGGS AND CHEESE

This is a salad that I invented myself. Since I always have too many eggs for Easter, I had to be creative and find a way to spend all those eggs somehow. This is perfect salad, it can also serve as a light lunch. I prepare it many times for my friends in the evening, they're all thrilled with this salad. It goes well with wine too.

4. LAMB STEW

Meat stew is a traditional dish in Macedonia. Veal stew, tripe stew and chicken stew (and somewhere and fish stew) are served in every restaurant every day from morning till afternoon. You can't easily find lamb stew on the regular menu. Lamb stew is usually served and prepared in homes during Easter. But if you want to prepare it in any time of the year, then, here's a great recipe.
Lamb stew with spring onion

5.YOGURTLITAVA (RICE, MEAT AND YOGURT SPECIALTY

This Macedonian traditional tasty dish will win you with its unique taste. It is prepared relatively quickly and many are preparing this dish for Easter.Yogurtlitava looks great when served in cubes, and can serve as a lunch prepared for special occasion in the family.

http://www.macedoniancuisine.com/2016/02/yogurtlitava-rice-eggs-and-yogurt-pan.html

6.KOZINJAK (MACEDONIAN SWEET BREAD)

Kozinjak is a Macedonian traditional homemade sweet bread with raisins, usually made in a form of a braid. It's a common treat for holidays, especially for Christmas and Easter.



7.KUKUREC (LAMB INTESTINES EASTER DELICACY)

This is one of the most interesting delicacy in Macedonia, usually prepared for Easter. My mum prepares it every year and usually she and my sister in law eat it whole :) She prepares it in an earthenware pot and looks and tastes really awesome. It's prepared from the lamb intestines and they should be cleaned really good before cooking from understandable reasons. This dish is low fat and low caloric and goes well with good Macedonian white wine.

  MACEDONIAN WINE 


Combine with high quality Macedonian wine. Cheers!