Entertaining Easter

This has been the first weekend in a long time that I have felt honestly excited! Like Christmas, but better. There is no doubt that Easter is a significant date in the calendar - whether it is for religious reasons or simply because the long weekend means time off work - Easter is exciting. For me I think Easter feels like the mark of Spring, new buds and blooms sneak out from the snowy winter months and the sun shines with much anticipation.
This Easter we headed north to Achiltibuie to spend the weekend with my family. Weeks in advance we had planned the menus for the long weekend and the car was packed with shopping to keep us all going.
Now the road from Inverness to Achiltibuie leads you through Ullapool, a wonderful wee fishing port which boosts some of the best fish and chips I have ever tried (and I have tried many many many). Last time we passed through Ullapool The Seaforth was being refurbished in time for the start of the tourist season so we headed there for a late lunch on Friday and it did not disappoint. The Seaforth is the only place (plaice?) I have ever been able to have Queen Scallops with chips. The man in my life tried the Scampi and chips which is my usual meal from a chippie but not the Seaforth. Their Scallops are the small sweet kind, lightly battered and fried to perfection - the chips are the best, home-made chips you will find on the west coast. As far as I'm concerned, a visit to Ullapool isn't complete without a visit to The Seaforth chippie.

Anyway, once lunch was done we drove up to Achiltibuie with enough food to feed an army. The meals for the weekend are listed below with links to recipes where possible. I made slight alterations as I went along but feel free to stick to the recipe or try the Gourmet Lass twists:
Good Friday
Fine Oatmeal coated Scallops with Roe in Garlic butter, served with Garlic Mayo
Pancetta Wrapped Salmon with Saffron Rice
Lemon Ice Cream with Biscotti

Saturday
Pancetta, Blue Cheese and Pear salad with walnut pieces
Lemon & Garlic Roast Chicken with roast vegetables
Passion Fruit Meringue

Sunday
Mezze platter with pea, mint, feta and pancetta salad
Roast Rack of Lamb with aubergine & goats cheese bake
Baked Yoghurt Cheesecake