Plan Ahead
Up to 4 Months Before
- Make Miniature Lemon Cheese Tarts, following recipe directions for freezing.
Up to 2 Months Before
- Bake cake for Strawberry Yogurt Torte; cut cooled cake into thirds as directed, wrap tightly and freeze.
- Bake and cool Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns, but do not frost. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and freeze.
- Make Lemon Yogurt-Poppy Seed Muffins, but do not glaze. Tightly wrap completely cooled muffins and freeze.
The Day Before
- If Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns were not made before and frozen, make buns following the Do-Ahead recipe tip. If rolls were made ahead, thaw and frost.
- Make Cucumber-Dill Mousse; store covered in mold in refrigerator.
- Make ice ring for Sparkling Citrus Punch following Special Touch recipe tip.
The Morning Of
- Make Slow Cooker Ham with Fruit Chutney.
- Assemble and frost Strawberry Yogurt Torte; store loosely covered in refrigerator.
- Make dressing for Tossed Greens with Sesame and Oranges; refrigerate. Prepare fruit and veggies for salad; store separately, tightly wrapped, in refrigerator.
- Unmold mousse onto serving platter; store covered in refrigerator.
- Place frozen juices in refrigerator to thaw for punch; refrigerate sparkling water.
- Remove muffins from freezer; glaze muffins.
- Remove miniature tarts from freezer.
About 4 Hours Before Serving
- Prepare Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Herbs.
About 1 Hour Before Serving
- Make Marbled Potatoes and Carrots.
About 30 Minutes Before Serving (as the lamb stands)
- Make Asparagus with Honey Mustard.
Just Before Guests Arrive
- Mix punch, and add ice ring.
Just Before Serving
- Carve the ham and/or lamb.
- Toss the salad.
Party Guide
Bring Spring’s Blooming Beauties Indoors
- Cluster small flowering potted plants on the table. Intersperse white or pastel votive candles in glass holders.
- Place a small basket of cut spring flowers at each place setting. Fresh violets, snowdrops, scilla, primrose and crocus are lovely choices. Invite guests to take their baskets home with them.
- Force branches of early spring shrubs or trees into bloom to use as a centerpiece. Forsythia in its cheery shades of yellow is widely available at florist shops. Or cut crab apple or cherry branches for their pink and white blossoms. Arrange the branches in a simple pitcher or large vase.
Garnishes for an Attractive Finish
- Tie strips of lemon peel around individual servings of asparagus. Use a citrus stripper to remove the peel.
- Add fresh sprigs of rosemary to the lamb platter.
- Sprinkle potatoes with crushed canned French-fried onions.
Learn with these helpful tips:
Roasting Lamb
Betty’s Tips for Cooking Ham