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" Easter dinner is always a fun occasion, but if you&amp;#039;re hosting, it can be time-consuming and stressful. You don&amp;#039;t have to be stranded in the kitchen all afternoon, though. With all the no-cook and heat-and-eat items out there, it&amp;#039;s easy to put a delicious meal on the table that feels authentic without the fuss. From ready-to-eat appetizers to easy side dishes, here are quick ideas your guests will love.    Appetizers You can really shine with hors d&amp;#039;oeuvres. They&amp;#039;re the easiest part of the meal, and will add color and flair to your presentation. Pick three or four and you&amp;#039;ll be sure to have something for everyone.  1. Shrimp cocktail is a party favorite. Run frozen shrimp under cold water until thawed and place on a platter with cocktail sauce in a nice serving bowl.  2. Sliced goodies are always a crowd pleaser: Nicely arrange meats, fruits (apples, pears, strawberries, grapes) and cheeses (herbed goat, Chimay, Brie, Cheddar) together on a serving tray.  3. Prosciutto and melon is an Italian classic for a reason: It&amp;#039;s delicious and super-simple. Cut the melon (preferably cantaloupe) into wedges and wrap with slices of high-quality prosciutto.  4. Rethink chips and dip by using sliced cucumbers\u2014a much healthier alternative. Serve them alongside a bowl of tzatziki, or try salsa, hummus, guacamole, spreadable herb cheese (such as Boursin), or even seafood salad. If you want a starch, add a handful of toasted crostini to the platter.  5. Bowls of mixed nuts and gourmet olives look impressive and require no work.  6. For a quick Caprese salad, pair mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves\u2014either tossed together in a bowl with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, or placed on skewers (alternating ingredients) and seasoned with salt and pepper.    Entr\u00E9e Stick to tradition on this one\u2014spiral ham\u2014but don&amp;#039;t do it all yourself. Plan to spend the majority of your dinner budget on a prebaked ham from the grocery store or get high-quality sliced ham from a deli that you can layer on a serving plate. Then just add the finishing touches!  1. If you&amp;#039;re feeling ambitious, whip up a few fast glazes to go on the side (such as apricot or orange-mustard).  2. Pair ham with a fresh salad made of prewashed, packaged arugula and top it with honey-glazed nuts and dried cranberries or cherries.    Sides Side dishes should be the least of your worries on Easter Sunday. Just stick to the basics.  1. Toss asparagus in olive oil, sea salt and pepper, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes.  2. Heat fresh or frozen vegetables (green beans or a mix of broccoli, peas and carrots) in the microwave or steam quickly and dress them up with cracked pepper, a spritz of lemon and a little sea salt.  3. Premade mashed potatoes (whether microwaved or baked) save tons of time. Once they&amp;#039;re done, add extra flavor with chopped scallions or chives\u2014or if you&amp;#039;re feeling decadent, mix in a spoonful or two of garlic cream cheese or room-temperature Brie while the potatoes are piping hot.  4. Serve dinner rolls that are ready to go out of the bag with honey mustard and salted butter on the side.    Dessert 1. Serve small, ready-made desserts such as brownie bites, mini fruit tarts, or scoops of sorbet topped with a lemon cookie or wafer.  2. Slice up your favorite fresh fruit for a healthy and fast dessert. Or do small bowls of mixed berries drizzled with balsamic vinegar or a little honey and cr\u00E8me fra\u00EEche.  3. Affogato is a dream dessert: It&amp;#039;s delicious, looks fancy and can be done in 15 minutes or less. Just place a scoop of ice cream in a small bowl or nice glass, top it with hot espresso (and maybe a tablespoon of coffee- or hazelnut-flavored liqueur) and a dollop of whipped cream.   "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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