Easter-ing: Strawberry Orangeade

For the first time in years we didn't travel to the inlaws for Easter.  It was a combination of a bunch of things.  Typically the week before Easter we're bouncing between Arizona, LA, and the Bay Area.  Basically unpacking suitcases, running from airport to airport, and generally being exhausted by the time the week is over.  Add to that the fact that Thatboy's family makes no accommodation for us as we do all that running around and traveling to them while keeping Passover and we're all pretty hungry, crabby, and hurt by the time Easter is over.

So this year, we cut out 2 flights, the inability to eat for 3 days, and stayed home.  It was marvelous.  We started the weekend by dying eggs. 

And we combined our traditions by eating matzah brei as we did it.  Passover AND Easter!  Together at last.  

While our eggs dried, we headed over to Kenny's Strawberry Farm, where they were having their own Easter celebration.

Plus, I mean - strawberry picking!

It was such a mellow way to spend the morning and a great way to ring in Easter.  While Thatboy waited in line to pay for our haul, the kids were entertained with balloon animals.

And while we couldn't partake in the strawberry doughnuts, because of Passover, we could definitely indulge in strawberry milkshakes.

The next morning, the boys did a little Easter egg hunting in our yard.

Then we headed over to do another hunt with friends.

But the best part for us was the fact that we could actually eat an Easter meal!  No matter how many years (19) we've been spending with the inlaws, they refuse to acknowledge that Passover occurs at the same time, and so they don't make any food we can eat.  Thatboy even got into a huge fight with his brother last year when he asked if we could please have something to eat other than the pizza and lasagna they serve every year.   They make it seem like it's a huge deal to serve anything that doesn't contain bread or noodles, so let me show you just how hard it is.  With the reminder that we were out of town for almost the entire week before.

I purchased a Passover-friendly frozen pie crust and created a brie and apple tart.

Passover plum muffins

Crustless quiche

Passover pancakes (made in a sheet so I didn't have to stand over the stove that morning flipping pancakes)

Passover raspberry rolls

Goat cheese and beet salad

And of course, the easiest Passover friendly food - fruit salad.  With out fresh picked strawberries of course!

But that fruit salad isn't the only thing we used our strawberries for.  We have an orange tree in our backyard that is dying.  But with all the rain this year, we still got oranges!  So with a huge crate of oranges and a huge carton of strawberries, I tried to think of a good way to use them both.  Strawberry orangeade it was.  Perfect for the summer, and even more perfect to freeze into popsicles.  It's the gift that keeps on giving. 

Strawberry Orangeade

3 cups strawberries

3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice

3 Tbsp sugar (if not using fresh oranges, reduce or eliminate the sugar)

1. Puree strawberries in the food processor.
2. Using a fine mesh sieve, press the strawberry puree through, discarding the seeds.
3. Stir together the strained puree, the orange juice, and the sugar.