Seasonal, native asparagus and rhubarb play starring roles in this French-inspired dinner. Asparagus takes the place of chicken in a twist on the traditional Cordon Bleu, and rhubarb shines along with raspberries in a rosy red galette for dessert.

Asparagus Cordon Bleu is a fresh and plant-forward twist on the traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu, with peak-season asparagus wrapped with ham and cheese and topped with a creamy cremini mushroom sauce.

This spectacular peanut butter cheesecake captures (and surpasses) all the flavors and textures of a peanut butter cup candy.

Smoked Salmon Spread is cool and creamy, bursting with the flavors of salty salmon and fresh herbs. Serve it with crackers or crudités, or as a sophisticated spread for sandwiches or bagels.

Quiche Lorraine gets a modern makeover, with pancetta in place of the bacon, a tender flaky crust, and the silkiest, creamiest custard filling,

On a still-chilly early Spring Saturday, we celebrated our first shot of the vaccine with this Tex-Mex themed feast of spicy marinated beef, restaurant-style salsa, crunchy chopped salad and a creamy cool chocolate pudding tart.

Chocolate Cream Tart starts with homemade Double Chocolate Pudding – dark and silky and supremely creamy – cradled in a chocolate cookie crust and crowned with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Buttery soft sirloin develops deep flavor after a short soak in a spicy rub spiked with jalapeño peppers, chili powder and fresh lime. Pan roasting gives this marinated beef a crusty char and a tender, juicy center.

Antipasto – an abundant and colorful spread of cured meats, cheeses and vegetables in a garlicky vinaigrette – is a traditional Italian appetizer that also makes a fun and casual main dish.

On the first night of Spring, I made a casual but special dinner of pickle-brined fried chicken with creamy mac and cheese and crisp green beans on the side, with chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies for dessert.