Warm weather just begs for a cool, refreshing salad, doesn’t it? This one couldn’t be easier, and it’s quite tasty. The combo of crunchy cucumber, sweet/juicy blueberries and refreshing mint alongside salty Feta is a winner. It’s a dish that can quickly be pulled together when you’re heading out the door for a boat ride…
Field Trip Friday – Blueberry Picking
(Field Trip Fridays capture interesting, fun, food-related and/or fishing adventures that I like to share with you!) When I was a kid in Massachusetts, it was a summer tradition to pile into the car and go blueberry picking at a nearby farm. I’ll just say that it was a real fashion parade – slathered in…
Cantaloupe with Citrus & Mint
Cantaloupe is such a versatile fruit — it can be served with sweet or savory components, and it’s always delicious. When in season, it’s sweet, fragrant and oh-so-delicious. I especially love the smell of it — it always reminds me of those melon flavored Lifesavers — you know, the ones in the tropical blend package?…
Sour Orange Mojo Marinade
I had never even seen a sour/bitter orange (a.k.a. Seville orange) before last week, when some dear friends picked ‘em right off their tree and gave me a bunch. They have a darker orange exterior color, with a distinctly rough, thick and dimpled skin — not the prettiest oranges you’ve ever seen, but they’ve got…
Green Almond Sauce for Fish
I love to read food memoirs, and one that I recently pulled off my shelf is a long-time favorite. Laurie Colwin, in her “Home Cooking” memoir, shares delightful food memories and humorous tales of the evolution of her culinary prowess, including her many cooking foibles. One of my favorite quotes in her book is “One…
Tomato & Sweet Red Pepper Relish w/Salmon
I find myself regularly thinking of new ways to serve salmon, probably because I try to incorporate it into my diet 1-2 times per week and don’t want to get bored! I love it simply seared or grilled, but it’s sometimes nice to have a sauce to accompany that yummy, healthy fish. While considering what…
Fresh Tomato Soup
When I was a kid, I was definitely not a fan of tomato soup. My mom usually served it on days when I had been playing in the snow for hours and basically would have eaten anything because I was starving (and frozen). But it was definitely a tough go — the only saving grace…
Roasted Tomato, Spinach & Bacon Pasta
I recently bought some beautiful cherry tomatoes at the farmer’s market – bright red, sweet and juicy — just the way I like them. Some were for cooking; others, for table decor at my Italian-themed dinner party (a VERY pretty way to bring a pop of color to your table, by the way). When I…
Zingy Fruit Salad with Whipped Coconut Cream
Fresh fruit salad is one of those “staples” in the dessert family. It’s easy to prepare, pretty, delicious and always welcomed by your loved ones (well, unless they were hoping for a big, gooey, chocolate cake. . .). While strawberries are still in season, I thought it would be nice to share a recipe for…
Thai-Inspired Seafood Pot Pie
Even though our “Spring” in Florida has been unseasonably warm, I thought it would be fun to bake a toasty pot pie. There really isn’t a bad time for pot pie, right?!? Remember the frozen pot pies we ate as kids? My brother and I usually got them (Swanson’s, to be exact) when our parents…
Mahi Mahi with Strawberry, Mango & Mint Salsa
This time of year, strawberries are in peak season in Florida, and I’ve been busy coming up with recipes incorporating the beautiful berries I recently picked at a U-Pick farm. Getting them off the vine is a real treat – there’s nothing like chomping into a fresh, pristine berry that’s been warmed by the sun….
Turmeric, Ginger, Carrot & Napa Slaw
Last Sunday I found myself standing in front of the refrigerator taking stock of what I had and trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I finally realized I had been standing there for quite some time after getting a flashback of doing the same thing as a kid and hearing “We don’t…