Catch all the best spring produce — like peas, asparagus, carrots, rhubarb and artichokes — at its peak and use it to make super-fresh meals. Primavera With Prosciutto, Asparagus and Carrots INGREDIENTS Kosher salt 1 pound penne or farfalle 1 pound asparagus spears, stems trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths 1 large carrot, cut into […]

Get ready for a few dinner surprises. Avocado ice cream, anyone? by Elaine Johnson and Margo True Avocados with Warm Bacon Parsley Vinaigrette Crunchy bacon brings out the smokiness of a good Hass avocado, and the sharp vinaigrette helps cut its richness. Recipe: Avocados with Warm Bacon Parsley Vinaigrette Egg, Avocado, and Crispy Prosciutto Pitas Baking prosciutto […]

When the mangoes arrive you know that spring is coming.   Mangoes are an iconic tropical fruit but we can buy them in our produce markets almost year-round.  Still, it’s a sign of spring when they start piling up in front of our markets and the prices begin to drop. Mangoes are sacred in India […]

Blood Oranges Blood oranges are best eaten fresh—out-of-hand, or in salads, salsas, or marmalades. The two most popular varieties are the dark-fleshed Moro, which is available from December through March, and the delicately flavored Tarocco, which you can find from January through May. To select, pick those that are firm to the touch and heavy […]

At its ripest and best the peach is a food that forces you to adopt a special eating position – bowing forwards at an angle of 30° and with arm raised above the horizontal – to avoid being bathed in peach juice (now there’s an idea …). HISTORY Native to China, peaches were taken along […]

Serves 1 drink INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup watermelon chunks (seeds and rind removed) 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice 4 ounces brewed tea (chilled) 1 1/2 ounces citrus vodka (optional) PREPARATION In a mixing glass, muddle the melon with the simple syrup until the fruit is watery. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice. […]

Strawberry Moonshine Julep INGREDIENTS 2 large ripe strawberries, washed, hulled and cut into ¼–inch pieces 2 tsp. sugar 3 leaves fresh mint 2 oz. moonshine or white whiskey, like Original Moonshine ½ oz. lemon juice Sprig of mint, for garnish PREPARATION Combine cut strawberries, sugar, mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Stir and let stand […]

Makes 4 servings INGREDIENTS 1 carton of strawberries, hulled 3 peaches, each cut in quarters 7 oz baby mozzarella{bocconcini}, each cut in quarters 1/4 cup pure apple juice 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped PREPARATION Preheat grill to medium. Put strawberries on skewers if small, and place on grill along with peach […]

The Gardener & the Grill: The Bounty of the Garden Meets the Sizzle of the Grill By Karen Adler and Judith Fertig The $20 softcover from Running Press is user-friendly with easy-to-follow recipes and gorgeous full-page photos. Authors Karen Adler and Judith Fertig are longtime gardeners who stress that grilling makes their fresh foods tasty […]

Some say it’s the greatest fruit on the planet. It has soft, sweet, white flesh with several large black seeds and a tropical flavor that is described as a mixture of many fruits. Where to Buy Most US cherimoyas are grown in CA and are available from early January through April. However, since they’re sensitive […]