Unmissable Easter dishes from three world-famous chefs

The Easter table has long been about abundance: ham, cakes, eggs and rich pastries have come to the fore. However, in recent years, festive gastronomy has been transforming across Europe. More and more people are looking for dishes that are festive but easy to prepare, spectacular yet practical for a friendly brunch or family gathering. The spring recipes of British star chefs also fit into this approach. 

The three chefs represent different styles, but what they have in common is that their elegant recipes work in an average kitchen and can be included in the menu of an Easter party. Raymond Blanc makes classic French cuisine accessible, Prue Leith focuses on homely, welcoming dishes, while Jamie Oliver brings the world of modern, seasonal and vegetable dishes closer to home. 

The legendary French classic, the cheese soufflé 

Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc’s cheese soufflé – the Soufflé au fromage – is among the “dreaded” dishes for many, even though, according to the chef, it is actually one of the simplest dishes. The secret to a light, airy texture lies in a few basic techniques, which guarantee that the puff pastry will rise high and not collapse. 

The 3 golden rules of cheese puff pastry:

A stable base: a béchamel made with butter and flour provides the base.
A quality cheese: for example, gruyère or comté, or anything that provides an intense flavor.
Careful movements: the egg whites beaten into stiff peaks must be gently folded into the mixture.
+1 important rule: do not open the oven during the first few minutes! 

The end result is a light and elegant dish that takes about 15 minutes to prepare, is both spectacular and surprisingly simple, and according to the chef, “the perfect guest-waiter”. 

A surefire favorite: Easter quiche 

The classic Quiche Lorraine recipe from legendary food writer andThe Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith is one of the most well-known dishes of British brunches. This savory pie, made of shortcrust pastry, egg-cream filling and rich toppings, is well suited to the spring season, as it can be easily varied with seasonal ingredients, such as asparagus, leeks or fresh herbs. The advantage is that it can be made in advance and served cold or warm, making it an ideal choice for entertaining guests. 

Quick preparation: 

Dough: 200 g fine flour, 100 g cold butter, 1 egg, 1–2 tablespoons cold water, a pinch of salt.

Crush the flour and cold butter, add the egg, salt and enough water to make a dough. Wrap in foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes, then roll out, shape and pre-bake at 180 °C for 10 minutes.

Filling: 150 g bacon (diced), 3 eggs, 200 ml cream (30%), 100 g grated cheese (e.g. Emmental), salt, pepper, nutmeg to taste. Fry the bacon in a pan until crispy. Mix the eggs with the cream until smooth, season. Sprinkle the bacon and cheese on the pre-baked dough, pour the egg-cream mixture over it, then bake at 180 °C for approx. Bake until golden brown in 30–35 minutes. 

The cake everyone is looking for 

Jamie Oliver’s lemon poppy seed muffins have long been a fan favorite. The recipe has become popular due to its simplicity and fresh taste: lemon zest and lemon juice give an intense aroma, yogurt or buttermilk makes the dough light, while poppy seeds or almonds give the cake character. It can be prepared quickly, It is also an ideal choice for Easter breakfast or spontaneous guests. 

What makes these recipes work? 

According to the latest trends, Easter is no longer just about one big festive meal, but about an entire period characterized by friendly brunches, communal cooking, and more relaxed hospitality. In this environment, recipes that are spectacular, easy to prepare and flexible are appreciated. 

The recipes of the three chefs offer this: a three-course, yet simple to prepare Easter menu that can be prepared quickly, in advance and with minimal stress, guaranteed to be a success. 

In April, viewers can meet the three iconic chefs on TV Paprika, which shows step-by-step how to prepare the above dishes. It’s worth collecting ideas and putting together your Easter menu now: a spectacular cheese puff, a quiche that can be prepared in advance and a quick, fresh cake can be a perfect, yet stress-free combination. 

Detailed recipes and further Easter and spring inspirations are available in the following series on the TV paprika channel: 

Just Raymond – premiere: April 21. 20:05
Prue’s English Kitchen – premiere: April 01. 10:25
Jamie Oliver: Seasons – April 01. 13:30