swiss chard + white bean grilled sammie

A few weeks ago I was totally being fussy and indecisive as to what I wanted for lunch. Looking for something comforting but at the same time healthy and fresh. My creation - a sandwich that is just as comforting as a grilled cheese but packed full of healthy goodness. In my opinion a grilled sandwich is so much better than one that is not- buttery toasty warm goodness. This is my summer comfort food perfected.

backyard gardening ~ june

It has been while since my last garden recap...2 years ago to be exact. In addition to baking, cooking and photographing the food you see here on this blog, I have another passion; gardening. From growing the vegetables and flowers from seed in early spring while there is still snow on the ground, to carefully introducing the seedlings from indoors to out, planting, watering & weeding.- I love it all. Anything that involves, dirt, worms, flower and plants- you can count me in.

fiddle head + asparagus crostini

Asparagus and fiddle head season is entirely too short. This time of year there is nothing better than freshly picked asparagus roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper. I could live on roasted asparagus for the entire month of May & June- it is just that good. Add fiddle heads lightly sauteed with lemon and red pepper flakes atop and lemony white bean spread loaded up on a toasted rye crostini - you just might think you hit the jackpot. Truth- I ate a whole plate of these for lunch while lounging in the backyard in the sun. Perfect for a summer party, lunch or hanging by the pool. 

But hurry, fiddle heads and asparagus won't be around much longer!

tarragon strawberry rhubarb cakelettes

What screams "summer's coming!" more than rhubarb & strawberries? They are one of the first sweet fruits and veggies of late spring to make an appearance at the farmers markets, for me Rhubarb & Strawberries mark the start of summer baking & cooking - or should I say non cooking, the oven doesn't see much action in our house during the warm new England summer months. However in late spring/early summer there are days when there is the slightest chill in the air, on those late spring days when Mother Nature cannot make up her mind whether she wants to leave winter behind, you can justify turning the oven on. 

Those are the days when you should be making these simple little cakes.

Join me at Sunflower Natural Food Blog for the rest of this post and recipe!