I love cake. I love cherries. And now, in the height of cherry season, I can often be found lurking around the refrigerator and pulling out several handfuls of those dark red gems to stuff in my mouth when nobody is looking. The dilemma became this – is there a way to enjoy both cake and cherries without losing any of that fresh cherry goodness? I think this may just do it. The cake base resembles a pound cake (we need something heavy duty to hold up all those cherries), and for some added personality there is shredded coconut, vanilla, and almond extract. This I could eat all on its’ own and be quite happy. However, we can’t forget the cherries! The little extra work of pitting and slicing beautiful dark red cherries in half is well worth the effort. No sugar added to this layer – those berries are sweet enough all on their own. To top it off, the crumb layer has a generous amount of ground almonds that will keep you coming back for one more bite….at least I do.
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I’ll let you in on a little secret…of all the tons of appetizers I have made in my day; this is hands down the favorite of everybody. A lot of other smoked salmon recipes call for both a brine and a rub before smoking, but that just seemed like way too much work, so I just decided to combine the brine and the rub ingredients into one easy step. And here you have it. Don’t have a Smoker? No problem. You can easily turn your charcoal or gas grill into a smoker that will work beautifully, and I’ve included some ‘how-to’ links so you can check it out. You might want to make twice as much as you think you’ll need. If your guests are anything like mine, this will be gone within minutes of setting it out – my guests have no shame.
They say what grows together goes together, and those words couldn’t be truer than when combining these seasonal flavor powerhouses: fresh asparagus, juicy sugar snap peas, and sweet, ripe strawberries. The asparagus stalks are peeled into ribbons, and the tips are sautéed until just crisp/tender – the best of both worlds. I’ve also thrown in some roasted pumpkin seeds for crunch, and slightly sweet Double Strawberry Vinaigrette for dressing. Oh – and then there’s the blue cheese…. Good stuff, Maynard. …
I must say that there are some things I can eat until I cannot move. This is one of them. Sweet, tart Hood Strawberries, filled with a Greek Yogurt Cheese & Strawberry Jam. Three ingredients and a little piece of heaven. How about we make some? 
As I sit writing this, I cannot believe that I haven’t shared this recipe with you before. It’s my absolute favorite marinade for grilling chicken, and I usually triple the recipe and freeze for whenever the mood strikes. When my niece Ari was little, this was just about the only chicken she would eat (except for chicken strips from what she called ‘Burr-Burr Ville). We made it for her every year during our annual sister’s beach getaway, and it still brings smiles to everyone who tries it. She named it ‘
I am an enchilada lover, and generally the saucier and the cheesier the better. On occasion (like now), the mood strikes for something just a little bit lighter. These Chicken & Corn Enchiladas do the trick. Not too rich, but with plenty of big chunks of chicken, not to mention lots of corn, Mexican spices and just the right amount of cheese to bind everything together. Let’s top it off with some Grilled Tomatillo Salsa, a nice, bright accompaniment to any number of dishes. For serving, how about a generous dollop of sour cream (um…and guacamole of course) and we’ve got a winner. This recipe makes a generous dozen and a half enchiladas, because a crowd usually assembles when the word ‘enchilada’ is spoken. Feel free to cut it in half for your less ravenous crowds. 
Do you ever crave a cookie that’s just a little out of the ordinary? Me too. A trip to the pantry and a little lucky imagination yielded these guys. Big cookies that are chewy and moist on the inside, brimming with oatmeal goodness and just a touch of coconut. The winning difference here, though, is the cashews. Cashew butter is in the dough to provide a subtle, nutty background flavor. But then – we pile in two cups of double roasted and salted cashews, cut into good sized chunks to ensure you get a big burst of cashew flavor every time you take a bite. The result is a little new, a little familiar, and a whole lot addictive.
Dick was down with a bad cold, and that usually means homemade soup in our household. Translation: he needs me to get out of his ‘territory’ so he can rest, so I end up puttering away in the kitchen, which to me is a win-win. On that particular day, the soup depended on what was available in the pantry and fridge, and this soup is the result. It’s hearty….super hearty, and one of those you can pack in a thermos for a special treat after a day of digging in a soon-to-be garden, an early spring hike, or any other activity that requires you to warm up from being out in the elements. Big hunks of colorful vegetables are the base, and then we load on a lot of healthful cannellini beans, a fair amount of carbs with big elbow macaroni, and enough crushed tomatoes and chicken broth to round everything out. We won’t forget to add big dollops of pesto to the top of our bowls for freshness, and let’s not skimp on the butter on those crackers – we earned it.