Chocolate Bird’s Nest Easter Treats

chow-mein-birds-nest-treatsWhen I was in Middle School, umpteen years ago, all the girls were required to enroll in Home Economics while the boys were in Shop. Home Economics taught us how to clean house, make beds, sew, and, my favorite, how to cook. The boys basically learned how to use tools and would make bookends, bird houses, and model airplanes. Bless our parents who had to grin and compliment our achievements even if we burned the pudding or the bookends collapsed after trying to hold up a few books. These classes were so much fun and we really did learn the necessary basics of homemaking and carpentry.

Italian Zeppole Dessert

italian-zeppole-recipeEaster will be here in early April this year and I can remember the excitement and anticipation of this holy celebration among Catholics starting with Ash Wednesday. My Mother and my Aunts, the blue ribbon cooks in our family, would plan and prepare some delicious meals, including desserts. There were many meatless dishes that were prepared during the forty days of lent.

As children, most of us would give up eating sweets during those forty fast days. Come Easter Sunday, a full course meal of meat, pasta, and salads and pastries, pies, and cakes were a child’s dream after the 40 days of giving up sweets. I can still smell the aromas coming from the family cooks on the days prior to Easter. They would be preparing for days the scrumptious feast for this special holiday.