The secret to Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and achieving the perfect filling with soft, juicy fruit that holds together and doesn’t run out all over the plate? It’s all about the rhubarb.

A lighter, fresher version of pizza, this spring vegetable flatbread is spread with garlic-and-herb cheese and topped with sprigs of garden-fresh asparagus or baby broccoli.

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.

There’s much to smile about as late spring turns to summer 2021 – including the fun and danceable, multi-decade mix of pop/r&b/soul tunes in my latest playlist.

Get ready for a new favorite rhubarb recipe. Raspberry Rhubarb Galette is tart and juicy in a delicate pastry crust, topped with melty vanilla ice cream.

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.

Another playlist with my favorite blend: folk, indie, a little country, and soft rock. Perfect for “these days”, this year when the renewal of spring doesn’t even begin to touch how ready we are for a fresh start.

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.

This untraditional corned beef is slow cooked and then baked with a mustardy, red currant and ruby port glaze until it’s burnished and glossy. No cabbage required.