WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN HOT SPRINGS...

Family Features

Easter is a time meant to be spent creating memories with loved ones. Even when hosting duties fall on your plate, creating the perfect brunch spread doesn’t have to be a daunting task. If you take advantage of quality ingredients and recipes that feature simple preparation, your spread can impress even the pickiest of guests.

Look for diverse ingredients that can be incorporated into a variety of spring recipes: a versatile cheese like Jarlsberg is easy to cook with, whether your menu features light or savory dishes, or a combination of the two.

These tips and recipes from Chef George Duran, host of TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off” and Food Network’s “Ham on the Street,” can help you prepare a scrumptious meal that lets you keep your attention where it belongs - on the festivities of the day.

Keep ingredients like puff pastry sheets, cheeses and various spices and seasonings that work in a multitude of dishes on-hand all year long.

Look for a cheese that won’t overpower other spring flavors; choose a mild, nutty cheese like Jarlsberg, best known for its classic wedge but also available sliced.

Choose dishes that can be prepared in advance, such as quiches or muffins.

Work to incorporate a variety of flavors that complement each other, such as mixed vegetables and smooth, nutty cheese.

Find more tips and recipes for a festive, seasonal brunch atjarlsberg.com.