For an appetizer, try Traditional Southern Deviled Eggs (or BLT Deviled Eggs for a twist on a classic). Then, serve some classic side dishes like a Southern Green Bean Casserole or some Rosemary & Garlic New Potatoes. And of course, a Fresh Ham is sure to please along with a themed desert like Carrot Cupcakes!

Whatever you decide to make, we hope these Easter lunch ideas spark inspiration. Happy Easter, y’all!

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Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather around with family and friends, and what better way to keep everyone munching than with some finger foods? Not every party demands a full meal, and these tasty, bite-sized treats are perfect for snacking while you enjoy the sunshine and good company, And since you don’t need silverware, it frees up a hand to hold an ice cold drink—who doesn’t love that?

Finger-Food Appetizers

Deviled eggs are a classic Memorial Day finger food option—try these BLT Deviled Eggs or Pimiento Cheese Bacon Deviled Farm Eggs for a twist on the classic version. For something a little sweet and savory, try Pecan Stuffed Dates or Bacon, Blue Cheese & Fig Tartlets—both are easy to pop in your mouth and packed with flavor. If you’re wanting to satisfy the palates of your littlest guests, Pigs in a Blanket are always a winner, as are Bacon-Wrapped Saltines.

Finger-Food Entrées

Looking for something both handheld and a bit more substantial? Sliders are a great option—from Buffalo Chicken Sliders and Chicken Salad Sliders to Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders, Paula’s got you covered!

Finger-Food Desserts

And it’s just not a party without something sweet, and, yes, even your dessert can be handheld! You can’t go wrong with Paula’s Strawberry Tiramisu Bites or Blueberry Cream Cheese Tarts. They’re both fruity, light, and the perfect way to get just the right amount of sweetness!

Which Memorial Day finger food recipes are you planning on serving up? Let us know in the comments below!

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Make-Ahead Appetizers

Start things off with Paula’s Southern Cucumber Salad—it’s refreshing and full of flavor, and, as an added bonus, it’s even better when made ahead because the flavors have a chance to really marinate together. Another great starter option is Paula’s Tomatoes Stuffed with Chicken Salad appetizer! Not only does this make-ahead appetizer make your life a little easier, but it’s easy for your guests to enjoy as well—no silverware needed!

Make-Ahead Entrées 

When it comes to the entrées for Memorial Day, you may want to stick with classic burgers, brats, hot dogs, or grilled chicken, but if you even want to get your main course prepped ahead of time, Paula’s Light Lobster Roll recipe is a great option. Make the filling ahead of time and stick it in the fridge until mealtime. Then, everyone can prep their own sandwich!

Make-Ahead Sides

Sides are one of the easiest ways to work ahead—for instance, you can’t go wrong with a Southern Coleslaw or Southern Pasta Salad, both of which are classic make-ahead recipes. If you’re looking for something even fresher, try a Watermelon and Cucumber Salad or Corn and Carrot Salad with Golden Raisins. And of course, every cookout needs a good Mac and Cheese recipe. Plus, this Barbecue Baked Bean Casserole isn’t just any average baked bean recipe—we promise your guests will go crazy over it!

Make-Ahead Desserts

Of course, we can’t forget the dessert! Paula has plenty of make-ahead Memorial Day dessert recipes, including Strawberry Cream Pie and a Blueberry Cream Pie, both of which will satisfy that sweet tooth! For something a little less conventional, serve up a slice of this incredible Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe for a salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy treat.

Make-Ahead Drink

Lastly, be sure to prep something refreshing to sip on—Paula’s Black Cherry Limeade will keep everyone cool!

Make It Easy with Make-Ahead Recipes

Now that you’ve had a taste of Paula’s make-ahead Memorial Day recipes, be sure to check out the full list of ideas below! And with most of your dishes now prepped and ready ahead of time, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the day with your loved ones. Have a blessed Memorial Day, y’all!

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One of the standout flavors of spring is, of course, citrus—its bright acidity can really bring out the best in a dish. Take Paula’s Lemony Shrimp and Caper Pasta, for example. The tangy lemon elevates the shrimp, while capers add a briny bite that pairs beautifully with the light pasta. If you’re looking for another citrusy option, this Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes and Basil brings a punch of fresh herbs and a rich, buttery lemon sauce to create a delightful balance of light yet indulgent flavors.

Spring is also the season to enjoy tender, fresh greens and vegetables. Try Paula’s Fettuccine with Zucchini Ribbons or her Shrimp and Pea Risotto to highlight some of the season’s best vegetables.

Incorporating these flavor profiles into your spring dinner recipes—whether it’s citrus, fresh herbs, or the sweetness of fruit—will keep mealtime fresh and exciting for the whole family.

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Fresh herbs and veggies are one of the quickest ways to take a pasta dish from winter to spring. Basil, spinach, tomatoes, lemon, asparagus, zucchini—all are perfectly at home in a pasta dish. Since the world is awakening this time of year, it makes sense to use nature’s bounty to jazz up dinner. It adds a lightness to any recipe—especially a spring pasta dish!

If you ask us, seafood always has a place in a pasta dish, too—while a classic meatball or ground beef is delicious, crab, lobster, shrimp, and the like always feel lighter and fresher! Consider Paula’s Tomato and Crab Spaghetti or her Linguine with Candied Tomatoes and Shrimp with a Wine & Butter Sauce—they’re just begging to be served al fresco on the back patio, under the warm sunshine. The seafood adds a decadent touch without weighing you down.

So, next time you’re looking for something delicious for dinner, give Paula’s spring pasta ideas a whirl. They prove that pasta can be perfect for spring when you keep it fresh and vibrant! Which spring pasta recipe will you try first? Let us know in the comments below!

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Lemon and lime, with its tangy zest, brings a burst of sunshine to any dessert. Whether it’s an easy lemon blossom recipe or a key lime meringue pie recipe, citrus adds that perfect hint of brightness to our sweet treats, while strawberries add a pop of color and sweetness after a cold, grey winter. With berry season starting in spring, a list of spring dessert recipes just wouldn’t be complete without a fresh strawberry cake or something that pairs our favorite berry with some bright citrus notes, like Paula’s Creamy Strawberry-Lime Shortbread Bars. And we can’t forget carrots, which are perfectly at home in desserts, especially in the form of a moist and decadent carrot cake recipe with cream cheese frosting.

As the days grow longer and the air warms up, we find ourselves gathering with family and friends more often. Desserts become the sweet centerpiece of our get-togethers, whether it’s a casual picnic, a Sunday brunch, or a festive Easter spread. So, as the flowers bloom and the world turns green again, let’s celebrate the season with desserts and flavors that bring a smile to our faces and warmth to our hearts.

Here’s to the sweet joys of spring and the delicious moments we share with loved ones! What are some of your favorite spring dessert ideas? Let us know in the comments below.

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Whether your mom prefers lighter fare, like fish and seafood, or something a bit more decadent, like steak or pasta, we’ve got tons of great Mother’s Day dinner recipes to help you shower mom with kindness (and flavor!). These Mother’s Day entrées are the perfect centerpiece for any special dinner. Just add some fresh salads, side dishes, and sweets to round out your Mother’s Day menu.

What do you have planned this Mother’s Day? Will you be doing the cooking? We’d love to hear what (or where!) you’re eating and how you’re celebrating this special day. Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Mother’s Day, y’all!

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Picnics, potlucks, parties—with the warmer weather comes plenty of opportunities to eat and hang out with our family and friends. And every sweet opportunity to spend time with our loved ones deserves a sweet ending, don’t you think? When we think about spring dessert recipes, pie is one type of dessert that immediately comes to mind!

There are so many ways to use spring’s best flavors in pies, from coconut and chocolate to berries and citrus fruits. Pies can also be incredibly easy to make! While a homemade pie crust is always a treat, it can also be a labor of love! Pre-made pie crusts can be found at any grocery store, and they significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to put together one of our favorite sweet treats.

Whether you prefer a store-bought crust or a homemade one, a cookie crust or a classic pastry crust, you simply must try some of these spring pie recipes, y’all!

What’s your favorite pie recipe? Let us know in the comments, won’t you?

The post Sweet Spring Pie Recipes appeared first on Paula Deen.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
• nonstick cooking spray
• ½ cup prepared cake frosting
• food coloring in colors of your choice (we opted for pastels)
• macaroons (you can buy prepared macaroons or make your own Lemon Coconut Macaroons)
• candied lemon zest
• flower-shaped decorative sprinkles

You’ll also need the following tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer
• Small mixing bowl
• Sifter
• Baking sheet
• Plastic wrap
• Wire racks
• Piping bag

First, let’s start by making the cookies. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars together at a medium speed until light and fluffy. Then add the egg, lemon zest, and vanilla, mixing until well combined.

In the small mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Then, gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture at low speed, until smooth. Divide the dough into 2 balls, wrap each ball in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

After chilling the dough, roll it out to a quarter-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Then cut out your cookies with round, fluted 2-inch cutters, and place them on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Chill the cookies for 15 minutes more before baking.

Preheat the oven to 350°F, then bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Let them cool on the pans for 2 minutes before cooling them completely on wire racks.

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If you’d like to host a brunch, we’ve got you covered when it comes to what you’ll serve! We’ve got a dozen of our favorite spring brunch recipes that are as delicious as they are pretty. What would you serve for a spring brunch menu? Let us know in the comments below, won’t ya?

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