Putting Together Your Easter Menu

Whether you have a big Easter brunch and an egg hunt or an evening Easter dinner, here are the recipes to make your Easter menu perfect.

What's on your Easter menu this year?

Instead of ham or roast lamb, why not try something different this year, like pork loin roast? Or even baked salmon with teriyaki sauce?

And for a fantastic appetizer or side dish, try asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, yet it looks so elegant. The kids might even try it, because the prosciutto turns all crispy and makes the asparagus taste salty and delicious.

Scalloped potatoes with cheese make an excellent side dish. Who doesn't love scalloped potatoes, really? And my cool whip jello salad recipe is always a refreshing hit, no matter what the occasion.

Fresh green beans with sea salt make an excellent green side dish. They're easy, yet elegant. Or if you want to go for something really elegant, try my Brussels sprouts with pistachios. The nuts and carmelized onions really make this a special side dish.

Of course, you'll want to have some deviled eggs on the table. But why not spice it up a bit with heart-healthy salmon deviled eggs? They're the perfect first course for an Easter lunch or brunch.

And speaking of Easter brunch, blueberry french toast is the perfect main course for a large brunch, because you can make it ahead of time. And everybody always loves it.

If you want something lighter, try my strawberry smoothie recipe and sweet potato scones. Or bake up a batch of pumpkin bran muffins the day before and let your guests help themselves before heading off to church.

Of course you won't want to skip dessert. Lemon bars make a refreshing Easter dessert. Or for something really luscious, try my low fat carrot cake recipe. And if you're like me, you have to have something chocolate on the table. My flourless chocolate cake recipe makes a splash. And so do my gold old-fashioned Ghirardelli chocolate brownies.

So bring on the company. Because if you use these Easter recipes, you'll be able to have a healthy, homey holiday and enjoy your guests, too!