Greek Easter-Family Life and Food in Pictures

Playing outside on Easter morning

We’re Greek Orthodox in this family (I was born in the UK, both my parents are originally Greek Cypriot), and as the Greek Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar to calculate when Easter falls, not the Gregorian, our Easter was last Sunday just gone, a week after English Easter.

Xander and I had just returned from a holiday in (mostly) sunny Spain, my husband Peter and eldest child Oliver, a wonderful break in beautiful Wales, fishing, catching crabs and having a blast.

There had been a tiny ‘passportgate’ situation meaning we were forced to take different holidays but it actually turned out for the best. Each boy got our respective undivided attention and Easter Sunday was made even more special by the fact we were all back together again where we belong.

After the initial sibling cuddles and kisses, they were soon arguing over chocolate Easter eggs and who had the best new shoes. Normality restored.

It’s traditional to buy new clothes at Easter for many Greeks (I love this ritual, naturally!) so Oliver wore his new plaid shirt from Zara Spain picked up while I was away and peach chinos from a local Spanish boutique. Xander in his preferred outfit of choice (Nutmeg shirt and Zara chinos), that weren’t new but still cute (you can’t win them all, hey).

I’m currently working with stylish kids footwear brand Bobux and both boys wore their new gifted shoes for the special day. I’ll be running a competition soon on the blog for Bobux so watch this space if you’re as shoe-mad as we are. They’re quite honestly some of the finest shoes my boys have ever worn…

 

…On Easter morning, we headed to my folk’s house for some garden play and Rooibos tea before descending to one of the family restaurants, the multi-award winning The Olive Tree, in Headingley, Leeds for a spectacular Easter Sunday feast.

I actually stopped eating meat before Christmas but found I was missing it a little too much (especially on holiday) and along with being a little anemic, decided to bring back some chicken and a little bit of red meat into my life.

Today, fittingly as many fast for Easter, was the first time I’d eaten lamb again, marking the occasion with a juicy rack of lamb in a red wine jus, expertly cooked by Head Chef Orhan. Definitely Easter Sunday-worthy.

Here are some of the other dishes Peter managed to capture too (and believe me, he had to be quick)!

Magnificent rack of roasted lamb in a deep wine reduction.

Mixed fish platter on a bed of spinach and new potatoes.

Traditional Macaroni Pastichio, a Greek style lasagna that always takes me back to my childhood.

Delicious.

Such a happy, tasty Easter for all!

Christos Anesti everyone.