All recipes can be found on Sian’s Plan and the grocery list is outlined below. Don’t forget the unique 10% discount available for Irish Central readers! Enter the code irishcentral on the payment page. The links to each recipe are below.

We still love a Traditional Easter in Ireland with family, food and faith being priorities during the Holy Week. It is often the first opportunity for many families to reunite since Christmas with traditional food like lamb, salmon, chicken and eggs still very popular. This week’s meal plan will start on Good Friday and take you through to Tuesday, with a couple of celebratory meals in the middle. Now, where to fit the Cadbury’s Easter Egg in?

Friday - Crispy Pan Fried Trout with Warm Potato Salad and Steamed Green Beans

For the traditionalists amongst you, Good Friday means no meat. In fact, I often try a no meat meal every Friday - if only to focus me on the other options out there. Here is a very tasty fish choice. I get my fishmonger to fillet the trout, as it is much quicker to cook and I find children prefer fish this way (it’s less intimidating than a whole fish). I would always serve this with traditional potatoes with a twist (it also means I don’t need to make a sauce) and a packet of frozen green beans to ensure everyone is getting their requisite vitamins.

Saturday - Citrus Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry


Stir fries are not exactly a traditional Irish way of cooking, but it has become a popular way of cooking in Ireland especially for families who are concerned about getting their full compliment of nutrients. This is a yummy option, but make sure to purchase good quality, plump chicken fillets.

Sunday - Braised Lamb Shanks with Crushed Herb Potatoes with Baked Leeks


Is there anything that spells Easter Sunday more than lamb? This is one of my favourite dishes ever. The beauty of this dish is that once prepared you can almost leave it to braise alone for hours while you enjoy strolls with the family and the quintessential Easter board games. It even comes with its own gravy. And what’s more, the accompanying sides are all baked beside the lamb in the oven.

Dessert - Hot Cross Bun and Butter Pudding


I don’t usually include a dessert, but couldn’t help myself this week. This is a treat for Easter Sunday.

Monday - Cheese Omelette

After the indulgence of Sunday, this is a great store cupboard option. And who doesn’t enjoy an omelette? This is an opportunity to get teens to make their own. Add whatever ingredients you may have in the store cupboard e.g. corn, onions, tomatoes and even smoked salmon.

Tuesday - Smoked Salmon and Prawn Pasta with Steamed Spinach

 In Ireland smoked salmon is very popular, with many smoke houses dotted around the country. This meal is a delicious, easy peasy because very little preparation is needed and it doesn’t compromise on goodness. The spinach wilts in seconds and adds colour as well as extra nutrients. I’ll probably serve it with a big bowl of salad (which I always have in the fridge at this time) and a lemon dressing.

Grocery List:

Baked
4 Hot Cross Buns 

Dairy
5 fl oz(150 mls) Cream (or milk) 

Drinks
2 cups (500 mls) Red wine 

Poultry/Fish/Meat
3 Chicken fillets

⅔ cup (100 g) Prawns

⅔ cup (100 g) Smoked Salmon

4 Trout

4 Lamb Shank

Fruits
1 Fresh Lime

Nuts

½ cup (50 g) Walnuts

Spices

1 Vanilla Pod (or 1 tsp vanilla essence)

½ tsp Nutmeg (Grated)

Vegetables

200 g (1 pack) Spinach

300 g (1 pack) Green Beans

12 Baby Potatoes

2 lbs (1 kg) New Potatoes

1 Broccoli

3 Carrots

1 pack Coriander (leaves)

2 Leeks

2 Red Onion

1 Red pepper

4 Spring onions

Other:

½ lb (200 g) Pasta

1 cup (300 mls) Milk

1 cup (100 g) Cheese

5 tblsp (75 g Butter)

4 tblsp (50 g) Sugar

¼ cup (25 g) Plain flour

½ cup (100 mls) Balsamic vinegar

11 Eggs

4 Garlic cloves

6 tblsp Olive oil

1 Onion

2 tblsp Tomato puree

1 tsp Soy sauce

1 tsp Chinese Five Spice

4 tsp Mint

2 tsp Rosemary

2 tsp Thyme

½ tsp Paprika

3 tblsp Mayonnaise (light, low salt)

2 tsp Sesame Oil (Optional use olive oil if you don’t have any)