Instructions: Easter, the central holiday of the Christian year, brings with it two obligations for the food-loving faithful: to attend church and to serve a festive meal.

A do-ahead brunch is the best solution to conflicting claims on a home cooks Sunday morning.

The classy quiche recipe comes from a lovely little book called "Holiday Eggs" by Georgeanne Brennan (Chronicle, $14.95). The combination of shrimp, crab meat and saffron is just right. You can make the quiche a day ahead, let it cool completely on a rack and refrigerate it, covered, overnight.

Let it come to room temperature before serving.

Sour-cream hollandaise, with its lemony edge and luxurious texture, is the perfect accompaniment for spring asparagus. Prep the stalks and set out your steaming gear ahead of time and youll need only minutes to cook them.

Slice red-ripe tomatoes at the last minute to serve on the side, along with your favorite rolls.

The meringue nests for dessert can be made several days ahead. (Dont take them out of the oven early or theyll get sticky.) The strawberries will hold well for a few hours, so save the slicing for Sunday morning.

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