Summer Kick-Off
The calendar may not agree, but in my mind Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. Time to clean the grill, get out the deck furniture and invite some friends over for some great food and drinks. Kick-off the season with this easy menu, it's not only delicious, but will leave the cook plenty of time to enjoy the festivities!
Memorial Day Cookout
Great Guacamole
5 Easy Potato Salads
Best Grilled Burgers
Grilled Lemon-Yogurt Chicken
Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes
Homemade Lemonade
Let the berry season begin!
We are heading into one of my favorite times of year--the fresh berry season. It begins with the first harbingers of spring, bright, sweet strawberries, and is quickly followed by juicy blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and more. If you can visit a local pick-your-own farm, where you can harvest these tasty gems right from the vines, you're all the more lucky. But berries don't only offer the cook a wide canvas from which to cook and bake, they're also packed with antioxidants and lots of vitamins and nutrients--just another reason to love them!
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Mac and Cheese - The Real Deal
I just finished hosting a pasta party for a girls high school lacrosse team, and wow, they can sure eat a lot. The pasta dish that was devoured first? Homemade Macaroni and Cheese. I was surprised to learn that many of the kids had only ever eaten mac and cheese from a box. What? They've never experienced the warm, creamy cheesiness and crisp breadcrumb topping of the real deal? Needless to say, I think I converted a few of them ...
Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese
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Just for Mom
Celebrate the most important woman in your life, or just relax over the weekend with some friends, with this special brunch menu that's designed for easy elegance and exceptional flavor--and don't forget the mimosas!
Champagne Mimosas Open-Face Smoked Salmon Bagel
Two-Potato Hash with Poached Eggs
Candied Bacon Strips
Strawberries with Yogurt and Honey
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Big, Bold (and easy) Tex-Mex
The foods of the American Southwest are packed with strong, bold flavors, featuring many cultural influences, including Native American, Spanish and European. It's a cuisine that's satisfying and straightforward, and one that's eaten for just pure pleasure, not analysis. Here are some easy recipes to get the big flavors of Tex-Mex on your table fast.
Chipotle Pork and Black Bean Burritos
Easy Steak Fajitas
How to Make Chimichangas
Southwestern Fish Stew
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Waffling Around
Your waffle iron is probably tucked away in a cabinet somewhere, but I say it's time to dig it out. These waffle recipes are easy to make, and perfect for a weekend breakfast, brunch or lunch. After making these recipes, you may just want to keep your waffle iron right out on the counter.
Lemon Waffles with Blueberries
Applesauce Waffles
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Twice-Baked and Delicious
The potato may be a humble ingredient in the kitchen, but it's elevated to star status when baked and then stuffed. These 
Twice-Baked Potatoes take a good thing and make it even better. Plus it's a great make-ahead recipe. Bake the potatoes up to two days ahead, and fill them with the stuffing. Cover and refrigerate. Before serving, let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
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Dishing up Easter
It may be a little cold and snowy outside (here in the Northeast, anyway), but Easter arrives this weekend, spring temperatures or not. Even if the weather's not cooperating, you can bring the fresh flavors of spring to your table with this festive menu -- and a big bunch of tulips and daffodils will go a long way to making it feel like spring, too. Happy Easter!
Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese
Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Herb-Garlic Pesto
Twice-Baked Potatoes with Chives
Asparagus and Baby Carrots in Lemon Sauce
Best Hot Cross Buns
Strawberry Rhubarb Lattice Pie
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Cheesecake - Never out of style
Who can resist the appeal of cheesecake? Okay, it's not a dessert you can indulge in frequently, but when you do there's nothing that can beat its smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor. And the variations on the classic version are endless, which keeps this dessert from ever going out of style, as it easily adapts to whatever flavors are trendy. I enjoy cheesecake in just about any flavor, but here are a few of my favorites:
Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
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Homemade Irish Soda Bread
To my mind, one of the best things about St. Patrick's Day is Irish soda bread. Dense, rich and chewy, I love it with dinner or lightly toasted and spread with with jam, marmalade, or butter for breakfast or with tea later in the day. The thing I've found though, is that you just can't buy a loaf that does this bread justice. This is something that needs to be eaten crusty and warm right from the oven. And it's so easy to make--no mixer, no kneading, no rising, no special pan-- no excuses!
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