Chocolate eggs are practically obligatory at Easter but there are other presents to give during the season to your friends, family or host, you know — traditional essentials to eat and spring-like treats to give.
How about these.
Apostle Simnel Cake, by Fortnum’s
Now this is the essential English Easter cake: a light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan in the middle and on top, with 11 marzipan balls for the apostles minus the traitor Judas. This one has a nice moist crumb, includes cherries as well as fruit and well-flavoured marzipan and looks lovely. £27.95. https://www.fortnumandmason.com/traditional-simnel-cake-290g
The Italian Easter cake
The Columba (Lina Stores, £15.95) is similar to panettone but in the shape of a dove for peace (actually, if you didn’t know, you’d be hard pressed to identify a bird) with candied peel and a crunchy sugar and almond glaze. This excellent version from the Fiasconaro family in Sicily is light and flavoursome with vanilla and honey. linastores.co.uk
Easter Biscuits
Betty’s of Harrogate do very good, very traditional Easter biscuits, buttery, crumbly, with spices and currants (£7.75). The box, with its jolly pictures, is lovely. This is what you want with your Easter Sunday tea. bettys.co.uk
Shoulder of Lamb, Parson’s Nose
Easter means Paschal Lamb, no? This succulent shoulder on the bone is pricey, from £63, but it’s from flavoursome Essex marsh lamb, feeds six and is nicely presented. If there’s only a couple of you, or if you’re buying for someone living alone, a very good option is the boneless Lamb Rump mini-roast (£16.46). The company also offers its own lamb gravy and mint jelly, and if you’re pushing the boat out, try the garlicky potatoes Dauphinoise (£10.50). parsonsnose.co.uk
Lamb Wellington, Fortnum and Mason
Here’s a little showstopper: a lamb wellington in elegant buttery puff pastry (£70), which takes no effort to cook and cuts down on the washing up. The lamb is from Cornwall and matured for flavour and tenderness. Delish. Bear in mind it arrives partially defrosted so follow the instructions. Serves four. fortnumandmason.com
A toothsome dessert: Raspberry Tropezienne
This is just the most delicious cake: a light, light brioche soaked in an orange blossom syrup, with raspberries. You will always find room for this, even after the Easter lamb. £22.
https://birleybakery.com/products/medium-raspberry-tropezienne?srsltid=AfmBOorhxPFOlP6YYcI6gaNilFKPx6-YIUYZdJdsWC6fAQPA8tTOzveA
Easter Cheese Board, Paxton and Whitfield
This is a jolly nice selection of cheese for the time of year and a worthy end to a Paschal feast. It includes the English Camembert, Tunworth, plus cheddar and soft little wheels of Ashworth goats cheese and Yorkshire blue, plus a good white Rioja, quince preserve and beetroot crackers for £100. Oh and a little Simnel cake. It would be a welcome offering chez McDonagh. There’s also an excellent Easter feast for £60. If you’re getting just one cheese, make it the delicious raw goat’s milk La Bouyguette . Yum. paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk
Affordable champagne: Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut
Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (£15.99, 75cl) - yes, you read the price correctly - is one of the best budget champagnes. It would enliven any Easter feast.
Red wine for Easter Sunday lamb: Berry Bros & Rudd Cotes du Rhone Rouge, 2024, by Remi Pouzin
This organic, fruity wine would pair nicely with roast lamb. Berry Bros says: “ Enticing aromas of fresh blackberries and red cherries are followed by moreish flavours of crunchy hedgerow berries with a twist of dried thyme .” I say, yum. (£14.95) bbr.com
Lovely flowers: The Real Flower Company
At this time of year you can get beautiful and inexpensive bulb flowers but if you want a bouquet that has pretty well all the good things of the season, the lovely Spring Garden bouquet from The Real Flower Company includes scented narcissi, rosemary and a selection of pretty flowers, starting at £78. There’s also a pretty bunch of tulips for £40. https://www.realflowers.co.uk/spring-garden-bouquet
A perfect rose
For the gift that really does keep on giving, how about a heavenly scented pink rose from David Austin? The Emily Bronte is very pretty, very healthy and very fragrant. £24 for bare root; £34 potted.
And you’ll be wanting some fabulous secateurs to keep it looking lovely, won’t you? There is, to my mind, nothing to beat Niwaki when it comes to garden implements, and its bright yellow secateurs, £59, is hard to lose, and given proper care, will last for years and years. It’s the perfect rose-grower gift. https://www.niwaki.com/higurashi-gr-secateurs/?sku=P00705-1
