Easter Prep | Part 3 - Menu Inspiration With Brooke Perez Of Table Catering Co.
The third and final part of our Easter Prep Series is here! The Menu! Thank you to Brooke Perez of Table Catering Co., my next Female Illuminator, for sharing what she will be cooking up in her kitchen on Easter! Perhaps we can all take a bit of inspiration from her menu as we shop this weekend and plan our own meals.
I met Brooke in my wedding world days a few years back and immediately liked her. Kind and warm, she is such a delight. And then you taste her food … and you know it is her love language. Her company, Seattle based Table Catering Co. is run by Brooke and her hubby Tomas. Not only are the most adorable couple I think I have ever seen (with the most precious little girl!) but the care that the put into their craft in unsurpassable. Their food out of the world delicious, and the presentation is truly exquisite. Each bite is special and beautiful and as you savor it, you can taste and feel the love that was put into making it just for you. Brooke and Tomas create with a uniqueness that you find in only the most fine dining restaurants but they do it in a way that feels approachable and not stuffy. It is a true art in farm to table fresh. They are a catering company, but none of that special small batch magic is lost when they create for large groups. There are certainly one of the absolute best caterers in the PNW. With a focus on fresh, seasonal and sustainable cuisine, they allow the seasons to determine their menus. Creating with the best of what the land naturally has to offer season to season, their dishes are fresh, unique, delicious and beautiful and pay a special homage to our glorious earth.
It has been almost five years since I had a roasted sweet and spicy cauliflower that they make and I dream of it at least monthly. The perfect amount of sweet, spicy, buttery and the perfect roasted crunch. I think I’ve tried to recreate it a hundred times but to no avail. It was so dang good. Brooke, if you ever want to share the recipe… I’m just saying…I’m all ears ☺
To only add to the deliciousness that is Table Catering Co., Brooke and Tomas launched Bells Cookie Co. in 2019. Named after their daughter (and the true boss) Isabella, Bells Cookie Co. serves up ooey-gooey goodness in the form of savory, nostalgic cookies that make your mouth water just reading the menu. Did you know they deliver too?!!!
So, naturally, there is not a more well well qualified family to take Easter menu inspiration from! Here’s what Brooke is serving up … and at the end, she shared a top secret recipe for their famous Italian Candied Orange Easter Bread with us! Enjoy…and keep a napkin handy for that drool!
I don’t know about you, but this menu sure looks heavenly to me! Brooke shares a few tips with us:
[from Brooke] “This is all happy, feel good food ☺
Easter bread is the quintessential earmark to welcome Spring! It is light and fluffy like a milk bread but the candied orange still keeps it rich and moist. It really is the perfect sweet bread.
Tip: stay patient, this could take a couple days but it’s worth the wait.
Cooking a risotto with the very first sprouts of Spring is perfect. Doesn’t have to be sweet peas, just whatever decides to come out of the garden first! Lay that under a mildly pink duck breast with some wine plumped cherries and it is a match.
Tip: always sear skin-side down first, for everything.
Tip: add the cream, butter, peas and cheese to the risotto at the end. If added too soon, the rice will take a long time to cook and be unevenly done. Wait at least 13-14 minutes.
Tip: when grilling broccolini make sure that the ends have enough oil or they will burn. Also, don’t leave it on the grill too long or it will overcook and get stringy. You want it to still have a bite.
Brandy snaps are fun to make and probably not your normal go-to dessert dish which makes it that much more exciting.
Tip: broken mascarpone (over-whipped) can never come back together so careful with the whisk!
Gin until the birds come home! Citrus-y and refreshing while sweet yet tart, careful because this is easy-drinkin’.”
Photo Credit: The Spruce Eats
And while Table Catering Co.’s recipes are usually proprietary, Brooke was so sweet to share their magical Traditional Toasted Almond and Candied Orange Easter Bread recipe exclusively with us! Click here for the recipe to create it at home yourself!
If you are just getting your prep going, make sure to run back to quickly read our first two Easter preparation posts:
Easter Prep Part One: Setting the Table - Our guide to creating a beautiful tablescape and proper table setting etiquette
Easter Prep Part Two: Easy DIY Floral Centerpieces with Kelli Walker of Country Bouquets Floral - Our guide to putting together some easy floral decor for your table
Before you run off to the grocery to grab the items to prepare for your Easter feast, I’ll let you delight your palate and eyes with some of the beautiful creations from Table Catering Co. A special thank you to Brooke for helping our mouths water and get the inspiration going for our Easter feast! I hope you all have a lovely holiday weekend celebrating with loved ones. Make it special, full of love and full of celebration! He is risen!
