Food

Passover, the Jewish festival in celebration of the Jews' freedom from slavery and the flight from Egypt, begins this year at sunset on April 18.

Although traditions vary throughout the world, the basics are as follows: The holiday lasts seven or eight days (depending on where it's being celebrated), and the first night of Passover begins with a ceremonial dinner, called a Seder, where the story of the Exodus is told.

The food and wine customs of a given Seder are elaborate, and differ between regions and families, but some factors remain constant.

With the change of seasons, it's fun to wake up the taste buds and celebrate the bright flavors and colors of spring.

A simple, casual, colorful and flavorful brunch is the ultimate gathering and a fresh new way to bring together friends and family.

"An at-home brunch is the perfect opportunity to express the flavors of the season with herbs and spices sweet and warm cinnamon, lively ginger, savory thyme and unmistakable vanilla all contribute to a special occasion your guests will enjoy," said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens.

Whoever coined the phrase "easy as pie" clearly didn't bake much. Enter Martha Stewart ... Again.

Stewart's latest cookbook "New Pies and Tarts" – offers more than 150 recipes whose clear instructions, gorgeous photos and brevity (all recipes fit on one page) take the intimidation out of pastry. Organized by category from "classic" (think apple) to "free-form" (no pie plate handy?) to "artful" (double lattice crusts, shingled leaves), the book lets users pick pies according to their skill and occasion.