link-o-rama

The warmer weather has got me in the mood for brighter, lighter fare. Here's some links from around the blogosphere for springtime menu inspiration.

Seasonal pasta recipes (creamy fettuccine with prosciutto, asparagus, mushrooms, and peas) [via Bon Appetit]

Creamy spring vegetable gratin [via The Kitchn]

A spring crostini bar [via 20 Something Cupcakes]

A seasonal dinner party menu (gin rickey, ramp pesto, lemon and vegetable risotto) [via Food 52]

Pretty raspberry-rhubarb crostata [via Eat Make Read]

And from the Dinner Party archives:
Ramp pesto (and a brunchy recipe with eggs)
Tuna, asparagus, and new potato salad with chive vinaigrette and fried capers
Spring panzanella
Strawbaby shortcakes
Roasted rhubarb
Grapefruit yogurt cake

springing forward

Ah, spring. The trees are coming back in our neighborhood, down coats have finally been put away in the closet (I think), and signs of the season are starting to pop up at the market.

For a dinner with some friends I desperately missed (after not seeing them for a whole entire month!) I created a menu that was a blatant love letter to the end of this miserable winter: prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears, herbed ricotta and olives on pita chips, a light and lemony dessert, and a hearty pasta with fava beans.

on mother-in-laws (and food, of course)

Mother-in-laws get such a bad rap. It's pretty much a cliche at this point. Or does everyone truly hate their mother-in-law? I guess I must have gotten lucky because I love Dan's mother. She's smart and interesting, a deeply caring person. And hysterically funny.

But it wasn't always smooth sailing at first. It's hard not to compare a brand new mother to the one you've always had. My mother believes in niceties. She asks about your friends and family, offers cold drinks, makes sure there are extra pillows in the spare bedroom. Judy might forget the pillows but she shows affection in different ways. She is a worrier, a buyer of perfect gifts, a knitter of scarves. She asks serious questions about our future, the kind of life we want. She offers her opinions. Sometimes we consider them, sometimes they make us laugh. Which is what you should do when your mother-in-law suggests that you and your husband should move into the pool house.

link-o-rama

I'm sure you all know about Food52, the wonderful cooking site by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs. I read it pretty frequently but just discovered their "Menu Ideas" section, which includes well-curated collections of recipes for a variety of occasions, including dinner parties and regular old weeknight meals. Some posts include grocery lists, wine pairings, and tips on preparation and timing. It's a great resource for those times when you can't figure out an entire menu. And there's even a special Easter brunch menu, if you're celebrating this weekend.

Likewise, The Kitchn has a great post about menu-making and how to match side dishes to main dishes. While the advice given is pretty general (think seasonally, keep balance in mind, etc.), all of the tips are good to keep in mind when you're feeling uninspired, menu-wise.  

Have a great one!

[Image from Food52]

spring break

Hi all,

Please excuse my absence while I take a short break and try to tan my pale limbs down in Florida. This will most likely not be successful but the sun should do me some good.

See you back here soon,
Lisa

best-ever brownies

There are brownies and then there are brownies. These fall into the latter camp.

That other recipe I told you about so long ago? Dead to me. Katharine Hepburn's famous version? Hell no. These brownies kick those other brownies' little brown behinds any day.

I know, I know. This is a lot of big talk. But, for me, these are the end-all-be-all of brownies. I think about them all the time. I may have even written this blog post just to have an excuse to make another pan. For photos, of course.

They are dense and fudgy, slightly sticky, and just sweet enough that you can really taste the chocolate. The kicker is that they aren't even made with chocolate. Only cocoa powder.

Crazy, right?

link-o-rama

It's April showers season in our neck of the woods, but I can't be too sad about all of the daffodils, cherry blossoms, and other spring blooms that are revealing themselves. With that in mind, here is a roundup of flower-focused links to provide some inspiration for your table. (My current strategy is dressing up my mantle with the tallest forsythia branches I can find. And trying not to poke myself in the eye getting them home.)

An absolutely gorgeous event styled by Poppies & Posies. The ideas here might be a bit over-the-top for a homey gathering, but they sure are lovely to look at. [via Design*Sponge]

Lots of pretty floral and styling ideas from Matchbook magazine's entertaining feature [via Matchbook]

Easy centerpieces (some floral, some not) from Martha [via Martha Stewart]

Total eye candy and an easy step-by-step flower arranging video tutorial from my favorite florist, Saipua [via Saipua and Lucky]

Pretty spring centerpiece idea from Sunday Suppers [via Sunday Suppers]

Not floral, but an adorable idea for an Easter placesetting [via Eat Drink Chic]

Have a great weekend!