Wilted Arugula Saute

Use this dish as a model for simple wilted green and pasta dishes. Nearly any lettuce or green can be substituted for the arugula and feel free to play around with different types of cheese, nuts, and other garnish ingredients.

This is the very best way to enjoy asparagus. For those of us in the upper Midwest, grilled asparagus is a special treat because it is one of the first items available as we unpack our outdoor grills each spring. It requires thicker spears so they don’t burn and are less likely to fall through the grates. Many cookbooks will recommend peeling the stem end of the asparagus spear, but in most cases, I find this unnecessary. When prepared on the grill, the tougher skin chars very nicely and I find the crunch an exciting texture contrast to the tenderness of the tip.

This is a cook-friendly vegan curry with very few ingredients. Add or subtract chilies to bring the desired heat. Serve over basmati rice.

Bell Pepper and Eggplant RelishServe on an antipasto platter or on toasted slices of French bread for an elegant appetizer. This also makes an attractive gift jar.

This is a simple and effective way to dress any fresh berry. Serve small portions of minted blackberries as a first course at lunch or as a light dessert.