Orchid

Snapped this gorgeous orchid blossoming on the patio. I love how the fuchsia petals are translucent in the sunlight.

Filet and White Asparagus with Hollandaise

A classic way to enjoy delicious white asparagus.

Pasta with White Asparagus, Prosciutto and Peas

White asparagus enjoys its own culinary season in many parts of Europe. In Germany, it's usually served with ham and covered with Hollandaise sauce. The Italians add it to risotto. In Spain it's often served chilled with mayonnaise. It can be a bit elusive here in the States, but I came across some at Whole Foods and decided to try it with pasta. I started by peeling the bitter skin off of the asparagus. Then I chopped it and sauteed it in butter with onions. Once that started to soften, I added prosciutto, a splash of white wine, spring peas and a scoop of creme fraiche. When that was all combined, I tossed in whole wheat pasta and some fresh ground pepper. With a glass of Italian white wine (we had a crisp Orvieto) it was a tasty summer dinner.

S. Ponte Vedra Beach

We just returned from renting a house on the beach with close friends of ours. There's nothing like spending carefree days playing in the sand and sipping cocktails by the sea, and then drifting off  to sleep to the sound of crashing waves. Simply paradise.

Bistro Aix

Bistro Aix in San Marco is, in my humble opinion, one of the best restaurants in North Florida. Even Emeril Lagasse chose to dine there recently when he was in town. There's always a lively, well-heeled crowd sipping specialty martinis at the glowing bar. The Mediterranean menu features steak-frites, grilled Ahi, wood-fired pizzas and creative pastas. Last night I chose seared hake served over polenta with sugar snap peas and a red pepper coulis. It was deliciously fresh and light; perfect on a hot summer night. Hint: stop by the bakery on the way out for a fresh loaf of their yummy bread (and a macaroon or two!).

Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney's BoardWalk

Having annual Disney passes, we are in Orlando more than what is probably considered normal! When you're after something a little finer than Mickey Mouse waffles (which are excellent, don't get me wrong!), there are actually some really good dining options in the area. We recently tried Cat Cora's Kouzzina at the BoardWalk. While the atmosphere felt a bit Disney-themey to me, the Greek food was really good. My favorite was the sampler that we started with. We loved the creamy house-made hummus with grilled pitas, kabobs with garlicky tzatzkiki, and goat-cheese stuffed grape leaves. Of course we finished our meal off with some super-smooth Ouzo from their extensive list. Opa!

Peony Love

I love peonies. The scent alone brings me straight back to my childhood in New York. We had a large peony bush in the backyard. Each spring when the giant pink poofs blossomed, I would pick them and hold the soft petals to my nose and inhale the sweet scent. It was a fragrance that promised of days at the lake, backyard barbecues and playing tag until the sun went down.