If you'll be hosting friends and family to honor Easter this year, make your gathering as simple as it is scrumptious with a decadent brunch menu.

If you're daunted by the diversity of dishes a brunch menu demands, remember that quality ingredients – not complex preparation – is what makes dishes truly stand out. Fresh produce and superior products instantly elevate a recipe from good to great.

These brunch staples all start as basics, but get a boost with the right combination of quality ingredients:

Made-to-order omelets are always a hit because they guarantee you're serving up exactly what your guests enjoy. Use a few winning ingredients to create an easy and quick omelet base, then offer an array of toppings, including unexpected flavors such as Jarlsberg Brand Cheese. Best known for its classic wedge, this nutty, mild cheese is also available in slices – perfect for the ooey-gooey factor everyone loves in an omelet.

A classic French quiche combines fresh and flavorful ingredients, is easy to make and tastes delicious hot or cold. The quiche is simple enough to make that you can prepare several varieties, giving guests plenty of options and handily filling a buffet spread. Simply prepare your crust and filling base then mix in fresh, crisp veggies that are steamed or lightly browned. Or create a savory, meaty quiche with your favorite sausage or bacon. Add some cheese before filling the crust and sprinkle some more cheese on top before baking.

Finger foods bursting with flavor simply make brunch better. This recipe uses ready-rolled puff pastry sheets, rosemary and the distinctive taste of Jarlsberg Brand Cheese for a mouthwatering dish that can be featured at a tasting station or as part of a larger meal.

Find more recipes for your Easter brunch at jarlsberg.com.

Make Brunch a Breeze
Skip the stress this Easter with these tips to make preparing your holiday brunch simply delicious.

1. Choose several make-ahead dishes that you can prepare well in advance, such as quiche or a breakfast bake.
2. Skip time-intensive pancakes and instead serve up a French toast casserole.
3. Prepare recipes using the highest-quality, freshest ingredients for the best results.
4. Give your meal a boost with unexpected but impactful touches, such as specialty butters, homemade jams and delicious cheeses.
5. Create beautiful and tasty accents for your buffet in minutes with pretty bowls or platters filled with colorful, seasonal fruit.

Easy Brunch Omelet
Makes: 4 portions

Toppings:
		mushrooms
		chorizo, bacon or ham
		cherry tomatoes
		spring onions
		herbs
Omelet:
8		eggs
8		tablespoons water or milk
		salt, to taste
		pepper, to taste
2		tablespoons butter
8		slices Jarlsberg Cheese
8		slices ham

Prepare toppings. Fry mushrooms and chorizo, bacon or ham; cut cherry tomatoes and spring onions.

To make omelet, crack eggs in bowl and add water, salt and pepper. Whisk eggs until they turn a pale yellow color, about 25-35 whisks.

Heat frying pan on medium heat and melt butter. When butter is bubbly, add about one quarter of the egg batter. This will make one of four omelets. When batter starts setting, move hardened parts toward the middle, enabling the rest to get direct heat as well. Use a gentle hand to avoid scrambled eggs. When batter starts to look cooked, add cheese and meat and flip omelet over. The omelet should be slightly golden on fried side and a little runny and soft in the middle.

Finally, put omelet on plate and add garnish before serving.

Puff Pastry Swirls
Makes: 4 portions

4		ready-rolled puff pastry sheets
1		cup grated Jarlsberg Cheese
2		sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
		pepper

Heat oven to 400 F.

On lightly floured work surface, roll out pastry sheets into 8-by-4-inch rectangles. Mix grated cheese, rosemary and pepper. Spread mixture over puff pastry. Roll up each pastry rectangle from short end. Press edges firmly together to seal roll.

Slice each roll into 2-inch thick slices. Place face down on baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Tip: To make swirls rise more, don't roll out pastry with rolling pin.

Cheesy Bacon Quiche
Makes: 4 portions

Crust:
1		cup butter
1		cup flour
2		tablespoons water
		salt
Filling:
1		cup bacon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1		leek
4		eggs
1/2		cup Jarlsberg Cheese, plus additional for topping, grated
3		tablespoons parsley
4		tablespoons cream

Heat oven to 400 F.           

In large bowl, mix butter, flour, water and salt together. Knead thoroughly to make firm dough. Pack dough in plastic wrap and let rest in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Press dough into full surface of pie plate and cover with aluminum foil. Prebake in oven 10 minutes, then remove aluminum foil and bake another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in frying pan on medium heat, saute bacon. Add leek at end of cooking time.

In bowl, whisk eggs and cream together and add grated cheese, parsley, bacon and leek. Pour filling into crust and top with grated cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until edge is golden brown and center is set.

Tip: To save time, use premade pie crust and bake according to package directions.

An Easier and Faster Way to Hard-Boiled Eggs

Difficulty peeling off the shells is the top barrier to making hard-boiled eggs more often, according a recent consumer survey.[1]Fortunately, just in time for Easter – the biggest hard-boiled holiday of all – the American Egg Board is introducing a new method to help make eggs not only easier to peel, but takes 30 percent less time.[2]

• HEAT ½- to 1-inch of water in a large saucepan to boiling over high heat. Carefully place steamer insert into pan over boiling water OR proceed to Step 2, if not using a steamer insert.
• Carefully ADD eggs using a large spoon or tongs. COVER pan. Continue cooking 12 minutes for large eggs (13 minutes for extra large eggs).
• DRAIN immediately and serve warm. OR, cool completely under cold running water or in bowl of ice water, then REFRIGERATE.

Instead of waiting for an entire pot filled with water and eggs to boil, this method relies on filling the pot with less water and adding eggs after it’s brought to a boil. This cuts the classic hard-boiling cook time by nearly one-third. Making hard-boiled eggs fast and easy-to-peel is good news for the millions who search for ”boiled eggs,“ one of the most popular search terms related to ”eggs“ in Google. ”Hard-boiled eggs“ is also the most popular recipe on IncredibleEgg.org.

Eggceptionally Easy and Eye-Catching Easter Eggs
Once you’ve mastered the art of hard-boiling, it’s time to start decorating. Modern designs on jewel-toned and spring-colored hard-boiled eggs are easy to make, great for displaying and tasty to eat, making them a staple for Easter celebrations. Pick up an extra dozen eggs for hard-boiling, find the right egg dye color combinations and then give these fun ideas a try:

• Stick To It: Take rolls of craft tape (Japanese Washi Tape) from your local craft store and start wrapping. Mix and match different colors and patterns of tape to give eggs a modern edge.
• Perfect Polka: Use the eraser end of a pencil to paint perfect polka dots on your egg. Just dip the eraser into acrylic craft paint and dab onto the egg. Make different patterns and use different colors to create your whimsical designs!
• Glitter Eggs: Add sparkle to your eggs by covering them in your favorite colored glitter. Brush craft glue over the egg until the entire surface is covered. Sprinkle a handful of glitter on paper plates and start rolling!
• Cascarones: Give family and friends good luck by making a dozen ”confetti eggs,“ a Latin American tradition, and cracking it over their heads! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to empty the eggshells. Once they’re clean and dry, dye the egg shells and fill the insides with confetti. Place glue around the edges of the hole, cover it with colorful tissue paper and get cracking.

For more Easter tips, how to have a fun and safe Easter egg hunt, brunch recipes and a second helping of Bacon – the Bacon Brothers, that is – visit us at IncredibleEgg.org and check us out on Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram.

Spring into Easter with Reinvented Family Recipes

Vegetable casseroles and carrot cake have been Easter menu mainstays for decades, but with the majority of millennials now hosting holiday family gatherings, retro dishes are getting a flavorful facelift with new ingredients and flavor twists.

Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens offers these tips to put a new spin on Easter favorites:

• Liven up the Easter ham with a spicy-sweet glaze of apricot jam, pineapple juice and chipotle chili pepper. Brush on a spiral-cut ham before roasting in the oven.
• Upgrade a traditional vegetable casserole by sprinkling a layer of cheddar cheese and topping with potato tots. Bake until the tots are crisp and golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
• Combine two classic Easter desserts in one; swirl carrot cake batter into a smooth and creamy cheesecake base with a hint of lemon. Bake and cut into bars.

Elevate your holiday meal with these creative updates to Easter classics. For more recipes and tips, check out McCormick.com and visit McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.

Carrot Cake Swirled Cream Cheese Bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 24
	1	cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, divided
	2	cups sugar, divided
	1 1/2	teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon
	1	teaspoon baking soda
	1/2	teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
	1/4	teaspoon salt
	2/3	cup vegetable oil
	4	eggs, divided
	2	teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
	1 1/2	cups finely grated carrots
	3	packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
	1/4	cup milk
	1	teaspoon McCormick Pure Lemon Extract

Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix 1 cup each of flour and sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add oil, 2 eggs, vanilla extract and carrots; mix well. Spread 1/2 of the batter into greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Reserve remaining batter. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, remaining 2 tablespoons flour and lemon extract; beat until well blended. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended.

Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture and reserved carrot cake batter, alternately, over carrot cake batter in pan. Cut through several times with knife for marble effect.

Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Apricot Pineapple Chipotle Glazed Ham
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Servings: 24
	1	bone-in spiral-cut ham, about 10 pounds
	1	cup apricot jam
	1/2	cup pineapple juice
	3/4	teaspoon McCormick Chipotle Chili Pepper
	1/2	teaspoon McCormick Garlic Powder

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham on its side in roasting pan. Mix apricot jam, pineapple juice, chipotle chili pepper and garlic powder in small bowl until well blended. Brush 1/2 of the jam mixture over ham, gently separating slices so mixture can reach middle of ham. Cover loosely with foil.

Bake 1 hour, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Remove foil. Brush with remaining jam mixture. Bake 45 minutes longer. Serve ham with pan drippings.

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Tater-Topped Casserole
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Servings: 14
	1	package (16 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed
	1	package (16 ounces) frozen cauliflower florets, thawed
	2	tablespoons butter
	1	cup chopped onion
	2	tablespoons flour
	1	teaspoon McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning
	1	teaspoon McCormick Garlic Salt
	1/4	teaspoon McCormick Coarse Ground Black Pepper
	1 1/4	cups milk
	4	ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, cubed
	1/4	cup grated Parmesan cheese
	2	cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
	1	pound frozen fried potato tots

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut up any large broccoli or cauliflower florets into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and pepper. Add milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Add vegetables; toss gently to coat. Spoon into 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Cheddar cheese and top with potato tots.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until heated through and potato tots are golden brown and crispy.

10 Paint Hacks to Simplify DIY Projects: Videos Show Professional Tips for Commonly Asked Paint Questions

From cleaning excess paint off a roller to properly patching a hole, experts at Dunn-Edwards Paints show how to in these quick and easy how-to videos. These shortcuts to cleaning, mixing paint and using paint tools can help you paint like a pro, all while saving time and extra paint!

1. How to Patch a Hole: Whether they're from hanging picture frames or a clumsy accident, holes in walls are common eyesores around the home. Learn to fill, sand and paint over a hole for an even, finished wall.
2. How to Determine If Existing Paint is Water- or Oil-Based:Mixing water- and oil-based paints on one wall can be disastrous without proper preparation, so make sure to use this quick trick to check the type of paint on an existing wall before painting.
3. How to Remove Lint from a Roller Cover: Don't waste time picking pesky lint pieces off your freshly painted wall by hand! Here's a simple trick to nab them all at once in a few seconds.
4. How to Get the Most Out of Your Sandpaper: Gleaming tabletops and smooth walls are results of diligent sandpaper action before painting. Maximize one piece of sandpaper like a pro with this simple hack.
5. How to Use a Painter's 5-in-1 Tool: While it may seem intimidating at first, a painter's 5-in-1 tool is a convenient helper to save time and energy during paint projects. Discover its many uses -- including a 6th tip you're sure to like.
6. How to Reuse or Dispose of a Roller Cover: Minimize mess (and shorten the clean-up process after!) with this easy hack on how to reuse or dispose of roller covers.
7. How to Mix Paint for Color Consistency: There can be a small difference in color from can to can, so it's very important to mix gallons well for color consistency before painting. Avoid differing hues on one wall with this simple tutorial.
8. How to Load a Brush with Paint: Most people automatically scrape excess paint off a brush before applying, thinking it will drip. In reality, paint brushes are designed to hold much more paint if you gently tap the sides of the bucket. Learn more with this video.
9. How to Paint Out of a Bucket to Save Time: Using a bucket, which holds more paint than a tray, can save you time during your next painting project.
10. How to Get Excess Paint Out of a Roller Cover: A lot of excess paint clings to paint rollers! Learn how to scrape off paint to make cleanup a breeze.

Beyond Pastel: At Home Offers Easter Looks for Every Style

 Easter comes early this year and, though decorating enthusiasts have hardly had time to take down their Valentine's Day decorations, it is time to brighten up homes for spring and one of the first holidays of the season.

While typical Easter décor focuses on pastels and simple white bunnies, At Home®, the home décor superstore, offers hundreds of Easter items to help the savvy decorator tailor Easter decorations to fit their personal space. From chalkboard eggs to a sweet chevron bunny, enthusiasts can find everything they need to celebrate the occasion.

"At Easter, it's sometimes hard to find décor that blends well with what you already have in your home," said Alissa Ahlman, Chief Merchandising Officer for At Home. "We love looking to people's favorite décor styles for inspiration in choosing all of our seasonal items, and are thrilled to share different and modern looks that fall outside traditional Easter pastels."

To add Easter flair to your home, At Home has a few favorite products and tips to suit any style:

1. Embrace the tried-and-true bunny motif, but do so in your own way by selecting one that will look at home in your present décor like a moss bunny for those who lean toward more natural elements or this gold chevron bunny marquee or porcelain bunny for the modern decorator.
2. Share your feelings of excitement for the season with your guests through declarative tabletop décor such as green "welcome" and "bloom" or colorful "spring" and "Easter" signs.
3. Bring your childhood love of egg-hunting into your surroundings with eggs of all hues and materials including chalkboard, colored, or fabric.

Windle Group Named to Coldwell Banker's International Diamond Society