Outstanding Easter Side Dishes

Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. And Easter is often a favorite as families look forward to the coming spring and milder weather in many regions of the country.

As you prepare your Easter menu, consider using duck fat or duck stock to enhance the flavor of standard side dishes you serve along with your holiday duck or ham.

Duck fat, whether rendered from preparing duck at home or purchased online from Maple Leaf Farms, can add depth of flavor to family favorites, making them even more memorable. And don’t forget that duck fat is considered culinary gold with its subtle, silky flavor that makes everything taste better.

Duck stock is a great substitute for chicken stock in recipes and makes side dish flavor more robust. It’s really no different than making chicken stock but the end result is rich and savory.

Selecting the side dishes for your holiday meal is almost as important as the main entrée. If you are looking for a completely new take on commonly served Easter side dishes, try these recipes:

• Duck Fat Mashed Potatoes - These rich, garlic-infused potatoes pair perfectly with any main dish.
• Duck Fat Brussels Sprouts - Add savory flavor to Brussels sprouts with duck fat.
• Duck Fat Carrots - Duck fat and Asian flavors create a refreshing take on cooked carrots.
• Duck Stock Cornbread Stuffing - Stuffing is amplified with cornbread and duck stock in this recipe.
• Gravy made with Duck Stock - Use duck stock to make a rich, savory gravy.

Whether you are looking to serve duck at the center of your Easter meal or want to dress up your side dishes, turn to Maple Leaf Farms for menu ideas, recipes and cooking instructions.