(Family Features) All kinds of holiday celebrations, whether with immediate family or joining loved ones virtually, can be made better with sweet treats that add special meaning to the occasion. Including fresh fruit in your treat can make it an even tastier take on seasonal tradition.

For example, fresh California grapes are available into January and are perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy them as a fresh, healthy snack or side dish, or as an ingredient to add taste and visual appeal to recipes to make the season feel special.

This Grape Frangipane Tart offers a simple solution when your sweet tooth calls for a dish to share with family. Everyday ingredients likely already in your pantry combine with fresh grapes for a sweet-tart twist worthy of the holidays.

Find more holiday dessert recipes at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Grape Frangipane Tart

Servings: 10

• 1          tart pastry, single crust (10 inches)
• 3 1/2    cups red or black seedless California grapes
• 2          ounces almond paste
• 1          large egg
• 1/4       cup sugar
• 1/4       cup butter
• 2          tablespoons flour
• 1          pinch salt
• confectioners’ sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Line 10-inch tart pan with pastry. Arrange grapes snugly in decorative rings in pastry. With electric mixer, combine almond paste, egg, sugar, butter, flour and salt until smooth to create frangipane. Carefully spread over arranged grapes and bake 35 minutes until tart is golden brown and cooked through.
3. When tart is cool, remove from pan and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Nutritional information per serving: 151 calories; 2 g protein; 8 g fat; 46% calories from fat; 19 g carbohydrates; 34 mg cholesterol; .8 g fiber; 86 mg sodium.

Bake a festive brunch spread

(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 at jarlsberg.com.

Asparagus Tart

• 1          sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 2          cups Jarlsberg Cheese, shredded
• 1          pound asparagus
• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• salt
• pepper

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out puff pastry into 16-by-10-inch rectangle; trim uneven edges. Place on baking sheet. Using knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch from edges. Using fork, pierce dough inside markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove pastry shell from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Trim bottoms of asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside pastry shell; arrange in single layer over cheese, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, sprinkle with thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Bake until spears are tender, about 20 minutes.

Festive Salmon Cake

• 2          cans (16 ounces each) red salmon or tuna, drained and flaked
• 1          package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• 2 1/2    cups shredded Jarlsberg Cheese, divided
• 1          cup fresh bread crumbs
• 2          lightly beaten eggs
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2       cup minced onion
• 1/2       cup parsley
• 2          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, cooked and drained or 2 cups fresh, chopped mixed vegetables, steamed

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In large bowl, combine canned fish, spinach, 1 1/2 cups cheese, bread crumbs, eggs and lemon juice; blend well. In skillet, saute onion and parsley in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add to fish mixture. Spread mixture into well-oiled 8-inch springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheese.
3. To serve, remove from pan. Place on serving platter or low pedestal and arrange mixed vegetables on top.

Corn Muffins

• 3/4       cup milk
• 2          eggs
• 1/4       cup plain flour
• 1 1/4    cups cornmeal
• 1          tablespoon sugar
• 3          teaspoons baking powder
• 4          tablespoons softened butter
• 1/2       cup Jarlsberg Cheese, plus additional
• cured ham, thinly sliced (optional)

Nut Pesto:

• 5          tablespoons olive oil
• 1          pack fresh, flat-leaf parsley
• 1          garlic clove
• 1/2       cup walnuts
• 1/4       cup cashews
• salt
• pepper

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Whisk together milk and eggs.
2. In separate bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and butter. Add milk-egg mixture and stir. Spoon mixture into muffin cases.
3. Cut cheese into cubes and press down into mixture. Bake in center of oven about 15 minutes.
4. To make Nut Pesto: In blender or using hand blender, combine olive oil, parsley, garlic, walnuts, cashews, salt and pepper. Pulse or blend until coarsely chopped.
5. Serve corn muffins with additional cheese, Nut Pesto and thin slices of cured ham, if desired.

Notes: If possible, use stiff paper cups, so muffins stand up better. Cornbread can also be baked in large, round baking pan, about 20 centimeters in diameter; adjust baking time as needed until done.

Puff Pastry Swirls

• 4          ready-rolled puff pastry sheets
• 1 1/4    cups grated Jarlsberg Cheese
• 2          sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
• Pepper

1. Heat oven to 375° F.
2. On lightly floured work surface using rolling pin, roll out pastry sheets into rectangles about 20-by-10 centimeters each. Mix cheese, rosemary and pepper. Spread mixture over puff pastry sheets.
3. Roll up each pastry rectangle from short end. Press edges firmly together to seal roll. Slice each roll into 3-centimeter thick slices. Place face-down on baking sheet and bake about 15-20 minutes.

Note: To allow pastry swirls to rise more, don’t roll out pastry with rolling pin. Notes: If possible, use stiff paper cups, so muffins stand up better. Cornbread can also be baked in large, round baking pan, about 20 centimeters in diameter; adjust baking time as needed until done.

Source: Jarlsberg

(Family Features) Both first-time and experienced hosts know holiday entertaining is about more than serving one large feast for family and friends. This season, think outside the dinner table and incorporate tasty brunch dishes into your holiday planning to help keep guests satisfied morning, noon and night.

Arm yourself with everything you need for effortless holiday hosting. Whether you’re making a hearty breakfast or a sweet dessert, Smithfield’s online Holiday Hub has entertaining tips and simple recipes for cooking up flavor-filled dishes all season long. With guests coming from out of town or kids returning home from school, hosts can rest assured knowing every meal is covered.

Try adding savory, slow-smoked bacon to a recipe like this Bacon Lattice Breakfast Tart with Spinach and Mushrooms. Or serve guests these Pull-Apart Rosemary Sausage Rolls made with premium pork sausage and flaky biscuits for robust flavor any time of day.

Find more holiday inspiration at Smithfield.com/HolidayHub.

Pull-Apart Rosemary Sausage Rolls

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 20 biscuits

• 1          pound Smithfield Hometown Original Fresh Sausage Roll
• 2          teaspoons finely chopped rosemary leaves, plus sprigs for garnish (optional)
• 1/2       teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1          egg
• 1          teaspoon water
• 2          cans (12 ounces each) refrigerated small biscuits (20 biscuits total)

1. Heat oven to 400° F. In bowl, unpackage sausage and lightly mix with rosemary and pepper. Divide into 20 pieces, rolling into little balls; refrigerate until needed.
2. In small bowl, whisk egg and water until frothy. Remove biscuits from packaging and carefully dimple centers with thumbs. Insert sausage balls in centers and place biscuits close together on lightly sprayed or greased cookie sheet. Brush exposed biscuit dough with egg wash and top with rosemary sprigs, if desired. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until biscuits are golden and sausage is cooked through. Serve warm.

Substitution: Smithfield Hot Fresh Sausage Roll or Sausage Patties can be substituted for Original Fresh Sausage Roll.

Bacon Lattice Breakfast Tart with Spinach and Mushrooms

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

• 6          slices Smithfield thick-cut bacon, any flavor
• 1          cup sliced cremini or button mushrooms
• 3          cups lightly packed baby spinach
• 1          refrigerated prepared pie crust
• 6          large eggs
• 1          cup half and half
• 1/4       cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 5-6 minutes, or until slightly rendered and beginning to curl. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels until cool enough to handle. Drain all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan and cook mushrooms over high heat 4-5 minutes, or until softened and any moisture in pan has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Add spinach leaves and cook 1 minute, or until just wilted.
3. Line 9-inch pie plate with pie crust, working crust up sides with fingers; refrigerate until needed. In bowl, lightly whisk eggs and stir in half and half, Parmesan, salt and pepper; reserve.
4. Add mushrooms and spinach to egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour into pie crust and bake 20-25 minutes, or until eggs are begin to set. Increase oven temperature to 400 F. Arrange bacon loosely in woven lattice form on top of pie and return to oven. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until bacon begins to crisp and crust is golden brown.
5. Let cool on wire rack 10-15 minutes before serving.

Substitutions: Whole milk can be substituted for half and half. Baby kale can be substituted for baby spinach.

Source: Smithfield