Grilled chicken fajitas with peppers and onions

This is my favorite Fajita recipe. It is from my trusted New Basics Cookbook. Many years ago some friends made these and I was hooked! It has become a favorite summer meal. They do take a little bit of time and planning ahead of dinner time, but the result is incredibly moist and great tasting chicken and vegetables.

Roasted Pork Loin with black-bean and sweet potato salad

This is a wonderful family meal that I made recently. The pork roast came out really nice and moist, but the star of this meal was definitely the black-bean and sweet-potato side salad. I really like sweet potatoes but for whatever reason I don't use them much. I thought this Mexican inspired recipe looked really interesting. I love it when familiar ingredients are used in a new and different way (knew to me anyway!).  And I have to say I have good instincts.

Raspberry-Rhubarb buckle with almonds

Rhubarb, Rhubarb everywhere! In spring one of the first plants to make an appearance in peoples gardens here in the Midwest is Rhubarb. A plant with long deep red stalks and big leaves. Only the stalks are edible, in fact the leaves are quite poisonous (to learn more go to http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/botanical). Every cooking magazine this time of year has a section on Rhubarb and its uses, which are plentiful: soups, salads, jams, sauces and not to forget the classic Rhubarb pie!

Tomato and kale strata

This is another recipe from the May/June issue of Eating Well Magazine. I just recently discovered this publication and it may be my new favorite cooking magazine. This issue is full of wonderful and healthy recipes. There are still a few more I want to try in here. I am always looking for tasty vegetarian dishes and this meatless strata looked amazing.

Sesame chicken cucumber noodle salad

This morning I woke up with a really sore back from spending all day yesterday outside in my garden, digging and planting. But, I went for a run and now I am back to normal (I love that running does that!) We really have been cheated of any spring this year, but finally we had a decent day perfect for gardening. Our local farmers market opened up just a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited to finally go and by fresh, from local farmers. But, due to the cold spring weather we have had the growing season is lagging several weeks behind normal and there was only a few stands open, mainly with flowers. My four-year old daughter loves to go for the Kettle popcorn and those guys were there too, so she got a huge bag to take home and share with her siblings.

Roasted broccolini with shallots

This is broccolini! It looks like baby broccoli but really is its own species. A hybrid between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, which is a more leafy vegetable similar to Kale. It is more sweet and mellow in taste than regular broccoli.

Flank steak with creamy two-cheese potatoes au gratin

I usually talk a lot about what my kids like and what their favorites are, but this meal is one of my personal favorites. When I can't think of anything new and exciting to make I go back to this delicious and simple meal. I have mentioned it before, that flank steak is one of my favorite meats. It is always juicy and tender and flavorful even with only a sprinkling of salt and pepper. I love to broil it which gives me perfect results every time. About 8 minutes on each side is all it takes to reach medium rare for a 1 1/2 pound steak.