Your Easter Meal Checklist

By now you should be ready for cooking your Easter meal.However with all the to do leading up to the holiday, it's hard to keep track of everything,and that includes ingredients.Remember that you can always run out or sub in something last minute.No recipe is set in stone The most important item is the main course.The ham is probably taking up a good portion of the fridge right now.Check your spice rack however.The most important part of the roast is actually there.Make sure you have enough cloves or cinnamon for the ham's rind. If you want a more savory one use mustard but make sure you have enough for an all over rub.It pays to have a back up jar, not only for the ham but if people want a dab or mustard at dinner.It also will come in handy if people stay for supper and want ham sandwiches.If you're serving asparagus to a large crowd a lasagna tin will work better than a Corningware one for cooking. You'll be able to spread them out and they'll evenly steam during a hot oven bath.Your baked beans should be soaking now too.Make sure they're soaking in just plain water and not salted.Also make sure you have extra brown sugar and spices too(although you can improvise here.Try a dash of cumin or nut Meg of there' little of the other spice) If you"re using tonight to make Easter treats,again, make sure that you have all your ingredients and supplies at hand.There should be enough confectioner's sugar for frosting and icing.Food coloring is in high demand in most households right now thanks to dying eggs.Keep an eye on these little vials, just in case your egg Picassos go crazy with them. .If you are missing certain colors,you can use beet juice for creating pinks and blueberries for blue and violet dyes. If you are out of colored sugar ,you can make your own using regular granulated sugar and food coloring.You can dry it in a low temperature toaster oven for a few minutes.If you're low on butter or margarine to grease cookie sheets, then just use vegetable oil.If you're making Rice Krispy eggs to decorate tomorrow, make sure you have enough cereal and marshmallow.Also keep track of the amount of icing and candies for decorating..If there are kids attending your Easter meal, have all the treat bags filled with favorites such as Peeps, chocolate eggs and jelly beans. The most important idea is to enjoy the holiday and your guests.If your checklist has worked out then you've prepared the dinner just fine.You've planned it perfectly and it will show through in your main meal and desserts.