Easter Dinner - Jell-O Pie and Banana Bread

A traditional Easter lunch with my family is like many other holidays. We pull out the tables, get out the linen tablecloths and the candle holders, and dress up. The meal is extensive and there are always leftovers.

The main course is a ham, and we always also have a chicken for the picky eaters. The ham is decorated with pineapple slices. Boiled carrots and mashed potatoes get passed around, as well as hot rolls purchased pre-baked from a nearby bakery. Banana bread often makes an appearance as well, and for my sister, cranberry sauce, which is usually a Thanksgiving treat. Drinks are low key and usually consist of milk, soda, wine, or wine coolers; the wine coolers are more common since 'the grandkids' have grown up.

After the meal, there are always desserts. My personal favorite is my Memere's (that would be grandmother's!) Raspberry Jell-O pie. We always have raspberries that she picked in the field behind her house. This recipe can also be made with strawberries.

Jell-O Pie
1 pkg. of raspberry Jell-O
1 cup raspberries (frozen is okay)
1 med. container of Cool Whip or real whipped cream
Whip it all together while the Jell-O is still soft, put it in a graham cracker crust, and let it set overnight.

Banana Bread
This recipe is great when you find your bananas getting to the inedible point!!
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
You can also add walnuts to the bread; it's my favorite way to have it, but we don't do it on Easter due to picky family members!
Preheat over to 350 and lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
Combine salt, flour, and baking soda in one bowl. In another, cream together the brown sugar and butter. Stir in the eggs and bananas, then combine everything together and stir just to moisten; pour the resulting mix into the bread pan.
Bake for 60 minutes, checking to see if it's done with the toothpick trick. Let it cool for 10 minutes, then get it out of the pan or it'll get stuck!

Happy Easter.