Forget about the cherry blossoms and tulips, the first sighting of a robin, pastel colored sweaters, or even the opening of the baseball and fishing season. The real sign that spring is here is the abundance of fresh, thin asparagus at the grocery stores and markets. Now's when these delicate, tender spears are at their best and least expensive - and will be for a couple of months to come. So don't miss out!
Try some of these terrific recipes:
10 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Asparagus
Forget about the cherry blossoms and tulips, the first sighting of a robin, pastel colored sweaters, or even the opening of the baseball and fishing season. The real sign that spring is here is the abundance of fresh, thin asparagus at the grocery stores and markets. Now's when these delicate, tender spears are at their best and least expensive - and will be for a couple of months to come. So don't miss out!
Try some of these terrific recipes:
10 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Asparagus
I dispelled with the notion of New Year's resolutions years ago - mostly because I know myself too well. However, this year I decided that I would start eating more fish, especially in the winter. For some reason, I seem to cook fish and seafood mostly in the spring and summer months. Probably because I live in New England, where winter means chapped cheeks and frozen fingers and toes, and as a result, all you crave is the cozy comfort of a warm bowl of soup. So I created this Salmon and Corn Chowder to 1) try to stick to my New Year's resolution and 2) combat the chill of a northeast winter. I'm happy to say that it's a winner on both counts.
Serve the chowder with some crusty bread and a big green salad and you have an easy and hearty supper - and it's ready in just 40 minutes.
Photo Getty Images
I have pretty high standards for the perfect chocolate layer cake. It should have a deep chocolate flavor and a tender, moist and slightly chewy crumb. The outside should be sweet, thin, and crunchy, and the whole cake should taste so good that if you take a bite before icing it, you won't miss the frosting. But the frosting is the finishing touch - the piece de resintance- adding another dimension of flavor and texture.
Got any favors you need done? This Ultimate Chocolate Cake might just be the bribe you need.
Photo Getty Images
All this warm weather in February makes me want to abandon winter foods early and turn instead to the fresh flavors of spring. To my mind, lemon's clean, piquant flavor says spring like no other, and no dish highlights it better than this Easy Lemon Chicken. The best part is that this recipe is easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes. So long winter!
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I love ice cream - who doesn't? But sometimes a scoop just isn't enough. Here's where an ice cream cake comes into play; it's decadent (always a good pie quality), requires no baking (important in July), and makes a big impression on guests (an extra bonus). In other words, an ice cream cake is the perfect summer dessert! Try this fabulous version:
Chocolate-Banana Ice Cream Cake
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If a gathering of friends and family looms on the horizon, rustle up this pot of Two-Bean Chicken Chili and surround it with some deliciously simple accompaniments. Chili serves a gang, is informal, and can be made ahead and reheated before serving - making it just about the perfect dish for entertaining. And this robust version is loaded with flavor, thanks to ground chipotle chili powder and a little something extra from a surprising ingredient - fresh orange zest and juice.
Round out the meal with trustworthy sidekicks like great guacamole, cornbread, and chocolaty cupcakes. Such an easy, great-tasting buffet will kick-up your culinary reputation a notch.
Photo K. Kingsley
