HURRY UP! HOP TO IT! DUST OFF YOUR EASTER BONNET!

 

Some of you may recall in previous years I’ve mentioned my friend Clint. To put your mind at ease...yes, Clint Lindt, my chocolate bunny, immaculately clad in his golden suit, remains in residence, rent-free, safe and secure, fully chilled-out in my fridge.

And there, Clint shall stay. I should plan a birthday party for him. Many a year has passed since I adopted Clint.  It’s about time we had a celebration.  After Easter weekend has come and gone would probably be the best plan.  I don’t want to put the fear of God in him by throwing an Easter party!  

I was eyeing off the Lindt chocolate bunnies in IGA, our local supermarket, the other day, tossing up whether or not I’d get Clint a roommate, but I decided against the idea. Bunnies breed like rabbits, I’ve heard.  If that is the case, I’d soon have a herd of bunnies hopping around in my fridge, leaving no room for anything else. By the permanent smile on Clint’s face, I think he’s happy the way he is in his domain.

As long as I’ve got a good supply of Cherry Ripes and Batch 37 Darrell Lea Liquorice on hand to chew through...I’ll be content throughout Easter, and beyond.  In readiness, I’ve already begun stockpiling!  I’ve previously admitted I’ve not yet grown up...additional evidence not required.

When my late brother, Graham and I were kids our brightly-feathered, most generous Easter Bird...not Bunny...was an early bird....always arriving during the wee small hours of Good Friday morn, not to catch a worm, but to deposit a stack of Easter eggs in the nests we’d made with dried grass. The nests were snugly fitted into our rather large sun hats.  Knowing where we’d find our eggs, we never had to go in hunt.  

Fish was always our Good Friday fare, and Easter Sunday lunch was, without fail, a grand affair.  Knowing what lay ahead, we’d scurry home from Sunday School.  

Sunday School was conducted in the Scots’ aka Presbyterian Church, a couple of blocks from where we lived.  In those years Gympie boasted two Presbyterian Churches.  Many Scots settled in the Gympie area having flocked to the rich goldfields in the mid-1800s in search of a nugget or two.  My Scottish ancestors were part of the early influx.

As a carefree teenager, along with a couple of girlfriends, our Easter long weekends were spent at the coast...either Mooloolaba or Noosa Heads...mostly Noosa.  We’d head off after work on Easter Thursday, returning home again on Easter Monday afternoons.

 Also, one year I spent Easter weekend participating in a honeymoon...mine. 

In my case, neither a coastal Easter, nor a honeymoon, will ever occur again in the foreseeable or, unforeseeable future.  Nowadays I prefer to stick at home munching on my delicious treats, with my two furry mates as company.  Thankfully, they don’t have a sweet tooth between them.  Very spoiled, with many treats of their liking, they want for little, if anything.  I suppose, I could give them a couple of Kit Kats.

To compensate for what they miss out on in the sweets’ department, I’ll make Remy and Shama, my feline best buddies, an Easter bonnet each to wear over the Easter weekend. The three of us will have our own Easter Parade. We’ll prance around in tune to Gene Autry’s “Peter Cottontail”.  Don’t spend too much time thinking about it, you’ll spoil the image!

The thought of warm Hot Cross buns loaded with lashings of butter (definitely never margarine!) and raspberry jam is already making my mouth water.  Diet?  What diet?   

Locked in with my furry rascals, armed with an Amazon load of Cherry Ripes, Batch 37 Liquorice, Hot Cross buns, maybe a chocolate Easter egg or two, along with Netflix and Stan (not Stan the Man, but the streaming service)...and Clint, the Untouchable...I’ll be well-primed for Easter. 

Have a safe and Happy Easter...whichever, whatever way you choose to spend the special weekend. Take care if you're out on the roads....take care wherever you may be....

Enjoy the company of the people you’re with.  If you’re alone, enjoy your own company; if you have a pet or two...cherish the companionship of your furry or feathered mates.  That's what I intend doing with my two four-legged, furry-pawed beloved roomies...

 

Easy Fish Bake: Preheat oven 180C. Grease 20x30cm baking dish. Bring saucepan of lightly salted water to boil; add 1kg boneless fish fillets; cook 4-6 mins; drain. Melt 3tbs in a med-saucepan; remove from heat; mix in 6tbs plain flour, ½-1tbs mustard powder and 2c milk. Return to stove over med-heat; stir until thickened; season. Flake fish into baking dish alternating layers with sauce. Sprinkle top liberally with grated cheddar (add some dry breadcrumbs and parmesan to the cheddar, if desired). Bake 20-25mins, or until browned.

Chocolate Bird Nests: Melt 700g semi-sweet choc chips, or choc chips of choice; stir often, until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1/2c peanut paste/butter, if desired. Break up into small pieces, 375g pretzels; add to melted chocolate; mix to fully coat. Line 2 baking sheets; place scoops of mixture onto pans. Press mini Easter eggs or M&Ms into centre. Set at room temp, 1hr; or chill in fridge. Store at room temp.  If desired, add 1/2c shredded coconut to choc mix for scragglier looking nests.

Hot Cross Bun Pudding: Preheat oven 180C, fan-forced. Butter baking dish. Slice 6 Hot Cross buns into bread slice thickness. Butter slices on one side; jam of choice on the other. Arrange slices on baking dish. Blend together 200g cream, 50g milk, 20g sugar and 4 eggs. Pour over the Hot Cross buns; allow it to soak in for 5mins. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Loosely cover with foil.  Bake in oven for 20-30mins, or until golden brown and set.