How to Have an Affordable and Effortless Easter

Easter is all about festive family gatherings and good food. Whether you’re celebrating with your closest or hosting a larger crowd in your home, try these simple tips to keep everyone happy and full without blowing your budget.

Plan ahead: Don’t let the pressure of hosting the holidays stress you. A well-constructed game plan can help you stay on track with your spending goals. Before heading to the grocery store, take inventory of what you already have, and create a list of the items you need. These simple steps can save you time and money in the long run.

Find affordable ingredients and supplies: Grocery shopping can be a daunting task, especially with seemingly endless options. Shopping at a grocery store like ALDI helps you find everything you need in one quick and easy shopping trip, including high-quality, fresh, affordable foods for your Easter spread. While there, you can also pick up other Easter essentials like baskets, toys, bakeware, decor and more.

Keep leftovers in mind: Food (and money) can go to waste when leftovers go uneaten. Instead of tossing out your forgotten leftovers, incorporate them into a whole new dish. Try these Holiday Ham Sliders using leftovers from main dishes such as Slow-Cooked Maple Ham.

Find more tips and recipes for an appetizing Easter at ALDI.us.

 

Slow-Cooked Maple Ham

Recipe courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5 hours, 15 minutes

Servings: 10

20        ounces Sweet Harvest Pineapple Chunks

8          pounds Appleton Farms Smoked Ham Butt

1          cup Specially Selected 100% Pure Maple Syrup

1          cup Baker’s Corner Brown Sugar

1/2       teaspoon Stonemill Cinnamon

1          tablespoon Burman’s Dijon Mustard

1          teaspoon Stonemill Ground Black Pepper

• Pour pineapple into large slow cooker. Place ham on top of pineapple, flat-side down.
• In small bowl, combine syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, Dijon mustard and pepper. Pour over ham.
• Set slow cooker to low. Cook 4-5 hours.
• Remove ham; keep warm. Skim fat off top of remaining liquid in slow cooker.
• Pour liquid into small saucepan, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer, and cook until reduced to desired consistency.
• Serve sauce on the side, or heat oven to broil and glaze ham. Broil 3-4 minutes for caramelized crust.

 

Holiday Ham Sliders

Recipe courtesy of Chef Linsey, ALDI Test Kitchen

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

Carlini Canola Cooking Spray

3          ounces Happy Farms Preferred Cranberry White Cheddar, shredded

3          ounces Happy Farms Preferred Plain Havarti Cheese, shredded

12        ounces L’oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

2          tablespoons Burman’s Spicy Mustard

1/4       cup sliced red onion

12        ounces Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Half Ham

1/4       cup sliced green apple

4          tablespoons Countryside Creamery butter, melted

1/2       teaspoon Stonemill Garlic Powder

1/4       teaspoon ground Stonemill Sea Salt

1/2       teaspoon Stonemill Parsley Flakes

• Heat oven to 350 F.
• Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, and coat with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, combine cranberry white cheddar and havarti cheeses. Set to the side.
• Remove entire package of rolls, and while keeping rolls connected, slice in half horizontally.
• Place the bottom half of rolls in baking pan. Spread with spicy mustard.
• Top with red onion, ham, apple, cheese mixture and bun tops.
• In small bowl, combine butter, garlic powder, salt and parsley flakes. Pour over sandwiches.
• Cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove foil. Bake for another 10 minutes.
• Remove from pan and separate sandwiches. Serve immediately