Spring, how fast, turns summer. Past are May Day and Mother’s Day, soon are June grads in black, June brides in white. Soon comes Midsummer, our longest day of the year, upside down from the southern hemisphere where right now fall fast turns winter. Hard-fought from winter, our spring is worthy of remembrance. Ferns that unfurl with time-lapse speed. The parade of spring color, polished pinks and luminous yellows. A spring snow of delicate cherry-blossom petals. The determined green of just-germinated grass. In turn, magnolia-, plum-, honeysuckle-, lilac-, honey locust-, iris- and peony-scented air. Tiny puff-ball bunnies whose favored salad bar, we hope, is someone else’s garden. The dog warming herself on the sun-warmed brick, sniffing the fat air. A pair of robins cavorting, ahem, atop a Boston fern. The first day with enough warm, enough cool, for breakfast, lunch and supper outside. Uniformed little-boy bottoms at-bat, winding up in physical and mental preparation. Th...

So simple, at the same time, simply divine. Roast salmon and spring's fresh asparagus together, then top with a lemon-caper vinaigrette. It's a perfect spring supper and truth be told, all summer long at my house. Enjoy! Fresh & Seasonal, Perfect for Spring & Summer. Weeknight Easy, Weekend Special. Weight Watchers Friendly. Low Carb. Naturally Gluten Free. High Protein.

How to gently poach chicken breasts in lemon water to yield moist, tender and flavorful meat for chicken salad. Then just toss in a light, healthy dressing of mayo, Greek yogurt plus lemon zest and juice plus a little chopped chive (or another fresh herb). The result? It's quick, it's simple, it's tasty, such an easy way to meal prep homemade chicken salad, especially in spring and summer for salad plates or impromptu picnic sandwiches. PS And anyone new to "poaching" chicken breasts, not to worry, poaching is a super-easy basic technique, literally as simple as boiling water. Chicken Salad Made from Scratch. Real Food, Fresh & Flexible. Budget Friendly. Great for Meal Prep. Low Carb. Low Fat. High Protein. Weight Watchers Friendly. Naturally Gluten Free.

The Recipe: A simple sorbet, just four ingredients! The Conversation: Honoring Charles, the farmer who raises ruby-red rhubarb. Not just vegan, Vegan Done Real . The farmers who deliver produce to farm stands deserve grateful tribute. Here, the Scharf farm has the sun and soil to deliver the year’s first spears of asparagus and the smallest, sweetest strawberries shortcake can conjure. Nearby a stand sells grape tomatoes to pop like candy, another dusky, fragrant blackberries. And then there’s Charles. Charles is getting on, you could say. Over the years of my weekly stops at his stand, his back has become a bit stooped. Still, his steps remain sprightly. And while his eyes have turned bleary, still, they sparkle with recognition. There will come a year, I’m afraid, when Charles, like his sister awhile back, will fail to appear in the spring. Each week, I will check, hopeful of his return. And then I will mourn his loss, my loss. So thank you now, Charles, for the r...

Do you ever want a light ending for a rich meal? even a light meal? Just something slightly sweet but not heavy, definitely not packed with calories? That's when I turn to my lightened-up versions of the French custards called "pots de crème" – that's pronounced poe-duh-KREM. To keep the calories low, I use whole milk instead of the usual cream and liquids with virtually no calories but a real flavor punch, lemon for Lemon Pots and triple-strength coffee for Coffee Pots. You know how jazz singer Dinah Washington croons, What a difference a daaaaay makes? What a difference one ingredient makes! While COFFEE POTS are dark and mysterious, LEMON POTS are sunny and good-natured. Either would be a perfect close to a Mother’s Day brunch. Make them up before church. By the time the food is served, they’ll be thick and creamy and luscious. And to all the mothers round the world who will be fêted with family festivities on Sunday? Yes, What a difference a day do...