Springtime Grilled Chicken Bread Salad with Roasted Asparagus and Fennel

There are certain recipes that have nearly cult followings online, and the Zuni Cafe Roast Chicken and Bread Salad is one of them.  I've never had it in person, but have heard so many people rave about it that I recently decided to put my own spin on it.  It seemed fitting -- fresh, small … Continue reading Springtime Grilled Chicken Bread Salad with Roasted Asparagus and Fennel

Spring Pasta Salad with Aparagus, Spinach, and Mint

One of the best things about belonging to your local Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA) is how quickly the season gears up -- and how big your box of veggies gets.   Our first few distributions of the summer season are teasers.  Just yesterday, we got eight sprigs of basil -- yet the smell was … Continue reading Spring Pasta Salad with Aparagus, Spinach, and Mint

Grilled Pizza with Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Brandied Figs

At the beginning of last summer, we decided to abandon our patio as a dining room.  We had the obligatory table and chairs outside and never ever sat there.  Because the patio is right spanking next to our eat-in kitchen, it just always seemed so pointless to lug all of our food outside.  And then … Continue reading Grilled Pizza with Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Brandied Figs

Spring Pasta with Brown Butter, Asparagus, Peas, and Chanterelle Mushrooms

I often think that my laziness has been great fuel for my cooking creativity.   There are so many days when I stare into my pantry (while my two year old desperately attempts to clutch every box of crackers in it) and think that there is absolutely nothing to cook.  And then I walk away and … Continue reading Spring Pasta with Brown Butter, Asparagus, Peas, and Chanterelle Mushrooms