Easter is quickly approaching, evoking visions of pleasant gatherings around the dinner table and of course pastels — whether in the form of colorful eggs, baskets and bunnies, or that pale lavender slip dress you’ve been saving. Entertaining family and friends comes with largely self-imposed expectations — to be the hostess-with-the-mostess, presiding over a home with tasteful unique Easter décor as well as pitch-perfect food and drink.
Take advantage of these unusual products to ensure your holiday is memorable and stress-free.
Pinks and Whites Dark Chocolate Bar from Trader Joe’s
Available exclusively in the spring, this 54 percent dark chocolate bar is more than delicious — though, of course, it is. Rather, what makes it special is its beautiful design, bedecked with “Pinks and Whites Shortbread Cookies” — white flower-shaped cookies — and sprinkles in happy spring colors. In their podcast episode “Spring has Sprung” the hosts describe this dainty-but-decadent morsel and suggest including this eye-catching chocolate bar in a dessert charcuterie board, referencing the brand’s YouTube video, “How to Make A "Choc-uterie" Board.”
Price: $2.99. Find at TraderJoes.com.
Grilled Asparagus and Artichoke Salad from Whole Foods
Do yourself a favor and order this popular salad, which stands ready to whip out from the refrigerator. Scoop into your favorite decorative bowl and — voila, impress your guests. After all, no one has to find out that you didn’t make it yourself.
Price: $15.99 (4 servings). Find at WholeFoodsMarket.com.
Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods Market
Light fluffy white layered cake combines fresh berries and Chantilly icing, made with sweetened whipped cream. The moist cake first appeared over a dozen years ago at a Whole Foods in New Orleans, and quickly became a cult classic, referenced on social media using the hashtag #berrychantilly. It’s a magical way to impress guests when dessert rolls around.
Price: $35.99. Find at WholeFoodsMarket.com.
Les Petites Carrots of Many Colors from Trader Joe’s
With images of bunnies munching carrots filling the Easter landscape, it’s natural that carrots find a place on your Easter menu. This carrot assortment from Trader Joe’s takes things to the next level by offering an array of colors, rather than the same-ole orange — perfect for roasting or using in a salad.
Price: $4.49/16 oz. Find at TraderJoes.com.
