One of Springs Brightest Stars 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

Salmon Chowder TwoinOne

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

Ultimate Chocolate Bribery Cake

Whenever I need to coax a friend into doing me a favor, I always throw in the promise of a homemade chocolate cake. And it usually does the trick, because really, who can resist a slice of chocolate layer cake?

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

Ice Cream Takes the Cake

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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Spring Ahead Easy Lemon Chicken

If you live in the Northeast like me, then you know we haven't had much of a winter. In fact, we haven't really had winter at all. In the middle of February, with temps reaching for 60 degrees, it's starting to feel like spring, compared to last year at this time when we were digging out from yet another heavy snow fall with drifts more than 10 feet high. The weather in New England is certainly crazy, but it does keep things interesting!

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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Chicken Chili for the Gang

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

Chocolate Cream Pie An American Classic

The affection for something soft and sweet in a crust seems to be a purely American trait, and when you add chocolate to the mix, it becomes a full-fledged love-affair. Chocolate Cream Pie is a perfect example of this; velvety-smooth chocolate custard topped with billowing mounds of fresh whipped cream in a crisp crust is about as classic and homespun of an American dessert as you can get, but its appeal never wanes.

This recipe has more chocolate in the filling than most, making it dark and deeply flavored, and the chocolate pastry crust adds a double-chocolate punch. Offset by the pure, sweet whipped cream, one bite of this decadent pie and you'll know why it has withstood the test of time as one of America's most beloved desserts.

Photo K. Kingsley

One of Springs Brightest Stars 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

Salmon Chowder TwoinOne

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

Ultimate Chocolate Bribery Cake

Whenever I need to coax a friend into doing me a favor, I always throw in the promise of a homemade chocolate cake. And it usually does the trick, because really, who can resist a slice of chocolate layer cake?

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

Ice Cream Takes the Cake

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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Spring Ahead Easy Lemon Chicken

If you live in the Northeast like me, then you know we haven't had much of a winter. In fact, we haven't really had winter at all. In the middle of February, with temps reaching for 60 degrees, it's starting to feel like spring, compared to last year at this time when we were digging out from yet another heavy snow fall with drifts more than 10 feet high. The weather in New England is certainly crazy, but it does keep things interesting!

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!

___________________________________________

Sign-up for the American Food newsletter.
Become a Fan of American Food on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. ___________________________________________

Photo Getty

Chicken Chili for the Gang

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

Chocolate Cream Pie An American Classic

The affection for something soft and sweet in a crust seems to be a purely American trait, and when you add chocolate to the mix, it becomes a full-fledged love-affair. Chocolate Cream Pie is a perfect example of this; velvety-smooth chocolate custard topped with billowing mounds of fresh whipped cream in a crisp crust is about as classic and homespun of an American dessert as you can get, but its appeal never wanes.

This recipe has more chocolate in the filling than most, making it dark and deeply flavored, and the chocolate pastry crust adds a double-chocolate punch. Offset by the pure, sweet whipped cream, one bite of this decadent pie and you'll know why it has withstood the test of time as one of America's most beloved desserts.

Photo K. Kingsley

Pizza on the Grill

What's not to love about grilled pizza? Cooking the crust over the intense heat of an open fire gives it a smoky, crispness on the outside and a light, chewy texture on the inside. Plus, it's an easy technique to master. The key is to have everything ready, because once the dough goes on the grill, the toppings follow in about a minute. Give these recipes a try, and soon you may have a successful pizzeria right in your own backyard.

Grilled Tomato Pizza with Prosciutto and Basil
Grilled Pizza with Sausage and Broccoli Raab

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Photo K. Kingsley

They Changed American Taste

Who's made the biggest impact on American taste over the past 25 years? Gourmet Live recently released a list of the top 25 food entrepreneurs who they believe have made the most significant impact on the country's food culture. From Howard Schultz and Wolfgang Puck to Martha Stewart and Nell Newman, all of these food entrepreneurs have shifted the axis of American taste in one way or another - and really, thank goodness for them. Otherwise we'd all still be eating white bread, recipes made with canned soup, and nobody would've ever heard of a venti, double-shot, no foam, extra-hot, soy latte.

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C is for Cookies

When it comes to cookies, there are just too many good ones out there to pick a favorite. From chewy oatmeal and smooth peanut butter to the ubiquitous chocolate chip and fresh lemon bars, there's a cookie out there to suit every mood, every taste, and every occasion. And the best part is, they're so easy to make, almost anyone cake bake them - plus, few things compare to the aroma of delicious cookies baking away in the oven.

No matter what the time of year, time of day, or weather outside, there's no better time to bake up a batch and satisfy the cookie monster lurking in us all.

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Photo Getty

Fresh Berries Only

While frozen blueberries work well in many recipes, there are times when only fresh will do - and a homemade blueberry pie is one of those times. Here is where the texture and juicy content of fresh berries are absolutely ideal. Try this homemade fresh blueberry crumb pie served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you'll understand why it's an American favorite!

More great homemade pie recipes to try:

Lattice Peach Pie

Key Lime Pie

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Make Someone Happy Steak Gorgonzola

Did you ever notice sometimes how little it takes to make someone happy? When I make Steak with Gorgonzola Sauce, which takes all of 25 minutes, it puts a smile on the faces of everyone at the dinner table.

Why? Maybe it's because it's a dish that improves on the familiar but is as comforting as a blue plate special, or the fact that steak and gorgonzola have an incredible flavor affinity for one another. Whatever the reason, making this dish is a great way to get dinner on the table fast and make everyone happy at the same time!

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Photo Getty Images

Luscious Lemon Bars

The next time you're in the mood for something sweet and tangy, whip up a batch of these Lemon Bars. The buttery shortbread crust topped with a tart and creamy lemon filling is always a winning combination.

These bars are a great option when you want to bake a lot of cookies in a short amount of time. Another great attribute is that they can be cut into any size you like ― bite-size squares for a crowd, or bigger squares for the family. But whatever you do, don't leave these Lemon Bars. unattended or they'll disappear faster than you can say "Wait, I was saving those!"

More Great Bar Recipes:

Marbled Cheesecake Brownies
Butterscotch Cashew Blondies

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Photo Getty _________________________________________

April Cruellest Month No Way

T. S. Eliot wrote in his poem "The Waste Land," that April was the "cruellest month" - well, he was living in England at the time, and the weather there can be dreadfully rainy and cold during spring. But from a cook's point of view, April is anything but cruel. The month brings us some of the freshest, most wonderful foods. Consider the first stalks of rhubarb, ripe strawberries, sugar snap peas, asparagus, fiddlehead ferns, artichokes, tiny peas, and so much more. If you're a cook, you'll probably agree that April is the most "splendid" month.

Try some of the these great spring dishes:

Pasta with Asparagus Pesto
Spring Pea and Asparagus Pasta Primavera
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

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Photo Getty

Sweets for Mom

Personally, I feel that breakfast or brunch for mom on Mother's Day is way overdone. So I propose that you do something different this year and instead satisfy mom's sweet tooth with a wonderful homemade dessert. Here are some perfect sweet recipes just right for celebrating the most important woman in your life!

Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake

Mocha Caramel Custard

Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze

Luscious Lemon Bars

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Liberate Yourself Have Breakfast for Dinner

Breakfast is one of my favorite meals. Maybe it's because things like fried eggs, French toast and hash are so familiar and comforting. When I'm feeling indulgent, I make breakfast for dinner. It feels a bit liberating, kind of like eating dessert before dinner, and always satisfying.

Here's the thing, if you're going to have breakfast for dinner, then don't even bother to set the table - this is purely a lounging meal and should be enjoyed as such. You could even arrange it on a tray and take it to bed - best idea yet!

Breakfast for Dinner Favorites:

Cinnamon Pancakes with Spiced Maple Cream
Spinach Egg and Feta Pie
Corned Beef Hash

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Photo Getty Images

Waffling Around

Bring the waffle iron out of hiding and try these delicious recipes. You might reserve the waffle iron just for breakfast― and probably just on the weekend at that. But I say leave it out on the counter and make waffles during the week. They're so easy, and you can even make the batter ahead.

Lemon Waffles with Fresh Blueberries

Applesauce Waffles

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Pasta Trio

I think pasta might just be the perfect food: simple to prepare, quick, infinitely varied and healthy - it could very well be the perfect food. And here are three of my favorites:

Rigatoni with Asparagus Pesto
Spinach Stuffed Shells
Penne with Vodka Sauce

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Photo J. Mitzewich

Pudding Nostalgia

Nothing beats the taste of a homemade smooth, creamy, slide-through-your-teeth pudding or custard. One bite of these desserts and I'm transported back to my childhood where it seemed every cook in our neighborhood claimed their own special recipe for rice, bread, or chocolate pudding. Today, homemade puddings are harder to come by, but they are so easy to make and really, the taste is far superior to the versions that come out of a package. Treat yourself and those you care about and try one of these recipes - you won't be disappointed!

Strawberry Rice Pudding
Decadent Chocolate Rice Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding
Mocha Caramel Custard

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Derby Day Dishes

America's most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, is happening in just a few days. And even though the race lasts just a couple of minutes, the pomp and circumstance that surrounds it is astounding. But I say forget about the Derby hat parade that takes place inside Churchill Downs and the two weeks of parties that lead up to the race, and let's talk about what I consider to be the best part - the area's famous food! Because really, what would the Kentucky Derby be without a Mint Julep, a slice of Kentucky Derby Chocolate Bourbon Pie, the famous Benedictine spread, or a real, authentic bowl of Kentucky Burgoo? Well, it'd just be another day at the races.

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Go Fourth

Independence Day to me means freedom from the same old cookout fare. Say goodbye to boring burgers and hot dogs, and get the fireworks going with this All-American spread!

Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Grilled Chicken with Orange Salsa

Pesto Pasta Salad

Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Corn on the Cob with Sweet Pepper Glaze

Star-Spangled Peach Cobbler

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Real Tomatoes

If you've ever stood in the garden eating a sun-warm tomato with the juice dripping down your chin, then you know nothing compares to the flavor and texture of the real deal. But you don't have to grow them to enjoy them, check out a local vegetable stand or farmers market and you'll find bins bursting with all kinds of homegrown varieties--cherry, beefsteak, pear, plum heirloom, and more.

Try a simple, ripe tomato sandwich--fragrant thick slices on farmstyle bread with a slather of mayonnaise--or a salad with fresh mozzarella, basil and some toasted peasant bread--heavenly! And here are a few more delicious ideas:

Fresh Tomato Gazpacho
Tomato Bruschetta
Fresh Tomato Salsa

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Happy Chocolate Day

Chocolate is a regular fix for me. But on Valentine's Day it becomes an unabashed joy, when it sort of feels like one of those inalienable rights, closely related to the pursuit of happiness. I ignore the caloric consequences and indulge myself and my loved ones in something deep, dark and rich - and these Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes are just the ticket.

Like the final act of a great play or the crescendo of an exquisite symphony, this dessert leaves you speechless and craving more. Happy Valentine's Day!

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Pizza Love

Americans really love pizza. What we consume in a day measures out to 100 acres (about the size of 100 football fields), or 350 slices per second. Wow! But maybe not so surprising considering that there are over 60,000 pizzerias in the US. I love pizza, too, and have several favorite take-out spots on my speed dial, but I think some of the best pizzas are homemade.

The key to a great pizza is the crust, and for the home baker, the key is a good crust and a very hot oven and pizza stone or tiles. Once you've mastered a good crust, the rest is just a matter of taste. The beauty of pizza is that the crust is a blank canvas and the choice of toppings is up to you.

Pizza Dough Recipes:

New York-Style Pizza Dough
Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough
No-Knead Pizza Dough

Pizza Toppings and Fillings:

5 Easy Pizzas
Potato Pesto Pizza
Broccoli and 3-Cheese Calzones

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