Grilled Chicken Dumplings in Fig Leaves

Wow, wow, wow! Using fig leaves as the wrapper to these delicious chicken bundles is a game changer. The fig leaves have a flavor like nothing I’ve ever had. They add a sweet, nutty, slight hint of fig aroma and flavor when grilled. Finding them might be a challenge. I’m lucky enough to have two…

Cinnamon Oat Pancakes with Fresh Fruit Sauce

Light and fluffy and packed with the nutrients of whole oats, these pancakes are easy to whip up over the weekend and freeze for later in the week. Using ripe summer fruit, make a quick fruit syrup for an extra special touch! I used rhubarb from our garden and a touch of strawberry to make…

Pan Con Tomate (Bread with Tomato)

Pan Con Tomate, or bread with tomato, originated in northern Spain as a quick snack or tapas. It is incredibly delicious and I’ve officially voted this my favorite summer dish! I can’t think of a better way to showcase my husband’s brilliant summer gems. Pan con Tomate requires only four ingredients but each one should…

Straight-up Rhubarb Pie

For all of us rhubarb lovers, we don’t want any distractions in our pie and that means no strawberries. We want the tartness and the unique flavor of rhubarb to shine. I usually cook with lighter ingredients but this pie is made with a straight-up, full butter crust recipe. I have not modified it to…

Kale Salad with Fresh Strawberries, Feta and Pistachios

Even though you might be getting tired of hearing about kale, this is still my “go-to” summer salad. It’s fast and easy with only 4 ingredients and each ingredient compliments one another. The salty feta, with the sweet and juicy strawberries and the slightly bitter kale, and the added texture from the crunchy pistachios. We…

Rhubarb Chia Jam

Chia seeds are a fast and healthy way to make a quick fruit jam. They add fiber and a natural thickness so the fruit becomes a spreadable jam for toast, pancakes, waffles or a topping for yogurt or oatmeal. I’m using rhubarb because it’s delicious and in season but you can substitute your favorite berries…

Sweet and Tangy Rhubarb Sauce

3-ingredients! Just rhubarb, brown sugar, and cinnamon and you are on your way to a tangy, sweet, ruby red sauce that is so delicious over ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, on your bagels or even with grilled pork or chicken. I make this sauce frequently and we use it on everything. I’ll often make a big…

Whole Wheat Fig Bars

If you’re a fan of the traditional Fig Newton cookie, you will LOVE these bars! They are soft, not too sweet, with a jammy fig filling made from either fresh or dried figs. For this recipe, I used fresh figs because our fig trees were full of figs this year. Whenever I can, I like…

One-Pot Pasta with Zucchini and Herbs

Yes, you can cook this recipe in one pot, no extra skillet, bowl or colander to clean. One-pot recipes simplify cooking, making it easier to put a meal together when time is really tight. I have to admit, I’m usually a little skeptical of one-pot recipes because I’m never sure if they’ll work. This one…

Grilled Zucchini and Halloumi on Toasted Sourdough

Halloumi, where have you been all of my life? After seeing this Cypriot cheese featured on several blogs recently, I finally decided to give it a try. Halloumi is a firm, salty cheese traditionally made from sheep and goats milk. When eaten cold, it’s rather plain with a rubbery texture but when grilled, this is…

Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder

I was right out of college and wanted to learn how to cook so I signed up for a class with a focus on healthier cooking. It was taught by Robin Rifkin, an inspirational woman who continues to work in the food and nutrition community in Philadelphia. This was one of the first recipes I…

It’s Pesto Time!

If I had to pick a scent that screams summer, it would be the aroma of fresh basil. I use this fragrant summer herb, straight from the garden, as an unexpected pop of flavor in sandwiches and salads, sprinkled on pizza and eggs and of course as the star ingredient in pesto. Needless to say,…