Tag Archives: chocolate bark

Planning Easter Dinner

Having guests over for Easter? Attending a potluck or an event where you need to bring a dish? Then take a look at some of the perfect Easter dishes from 400 Calories or Less !

I typically make holidays my ‘Cheat Day’ for the week, but I don’t go wild – I just don’t watch quite as close as I normally do. With my low cal dishes, you can have an appetizer, soup, your meal and dessert for less than some single slices of cake (think Cheesecake Factory). So put your apron and get makin’ some Easter goodies 🙂

My Easter Meal Recommendation:

Appetizers:
Stuffed Mushrooms
Zucchini Pizzas
Spinach Tarts

Soup:
Lemon Soup

Dinner:
Baked Ham
Steamed Potatoes with Garlic Sauce
Lemony Green Beans

Dessert:
Chocolate Bark
Banana Cake

The mushrooms can be prepped ahead of time and cooked when the guest arrive. Same with the zucchini pizzas. The spinach tarts can be prepared AND cooked the day ahead – they reheat great in the microwave or oven.

The soup can be prepared ahead and kept warm in a crock pot set to the ‘warm’ setting.

The ham can go in the oven early, taken out while you cook the appetizers and placed back in to finish up the cooking. And the potatoes can be done ahead and you keep them warm in a crock or reheat at the last minute. Keep the steamer out and reuse it to do the beans. The beans should be done at the last minute – but it is just a steaming and quick mix with the other ingredients before you bring them to the table.

The 2 desserts can be prepared the day before.

Happy Easter and Happy Cooking !

Chocolate Bark

This chocolate bark is made with matzah crackers and it is just delicious – – and the prep time is only 5 minutes ! This is great to serve as a dessert when you have company. If you don’t like almonds, use any chopped nuts.

Chocolate Bark
Chocolate Bark


8 servings
109 calories per serving

2 1 oz. UNSALTED matzah crackers
1 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate bar chopped up into small pieces (or semisweet chocolate chip morsels)
2 T toasted chopped almonds

Place chocolate in microwave and cook on high 1 minute. Stir and cook another 30 seconds. Mix well assuring it is all melted and no chunks are left. Pour over crackers and spread with a spatula until well covered. Sprinkle with almonds and press them into the chocolate so they stick well. Let stand until hardened and then cut into 4 pieces each.

Make sure you don’t skip the ‘toasting the nuts’ portion of the recipe. It really makes a difference in their flavor and just takes a few minutes – chop your nuts and then place in a dry hot skillet. Stir and continue cooking a few minutes until toasted. You will know they are ready as they will be a little browned and you will start to smell the aroma 🙂

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