Northern Italian Rice Salad

A perfect dish for any large gathering any time of the year. It travels and keeps well and can be served at room temperature or chilled. Serve it as a side with meat or chicken, or all by itself for lunch. And it is very easy to make!

Northern Italian Rice Salad

Nonna's Green Beans

My Italian grandmother's "string beans". She used to make them with Kentucky Wonder string beans right from my Uncle's garden. If you can get fresh picked Kentucy Wonder beans, by all means ... do so! Cooked simply and topped with garlic salt, olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper. They are good hot, cold or anywhere in between, and are perfect for picnics.

Nonna's Green Beans

Lemon Chicken

This is an ideal dish for entertaining because it can be served hot, warm or cold. Try it for your next picnic! Great for pot lucks, too. Lemony chicken baked until crispy is a healthy alternative to fried chicken. And it's easy to make, too!

Lemon Chicken

Orzo & Artichoke Salad

This is an easy and delicious and different "pasta salad". Rice-shaped pasta (orzo) combines with a flavorful dressing, artichokes, parmesan and prosciutto. Skip the prosciutto for a vegetarian version. This salad is perfect for a picnic or a potluck, makes a great lunch all on its own, and also makes a great side dish for almost any grilled meat or fish.

Orzo & Artichoke Salad

Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes & Jicama

Jicama gives a nice sweetness and crunch to this easy salad. Make this salad when you can get juicy, red, vine ripe tomatoes. Perfect for picnics, on its own for a light lunch or as a first course for a summer dinner.

Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes & Jicama

Curried Chicken Salad

This is a great summer dish because the only thing you need to cook is the chicken. Use as much curry powder as you want: as written, this recipe yields a very mild curry flavor. Sour cream instead of the traditional mayonnaise means that this salad will travel well for picnics or potlucks. Serve it on rolls or in pita pockets. To dress it up, serve it on plates on a bed of lettuce and garnish with lemon wedges.

Curried Chicken Salad

Vermont Cole Slaw

This cole slaw recipe is so easy and so good you may never buy prepared cole slaw again. The maple syrup gives it some sweetness and its name - assuming you're using Vermont maple syrup! Fat free mayonnaise means you don't have to feel guilty about eating as much of this as you want. Great for picnics and cookouts.

Vermont Cole Slaw

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I grew up with these cookies that are a light and crispy alternative to the classic chocolate chip cookie. My aunt, who lived next door, used to make these all the time. I don't think her home was ever without a batch in the cookie jar and I remember sneaking into her kitchen to steal a cookie or two or three.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Gingered Spiced Carrots

These slightly spicy, slightly sweet carrots are delicious and make a nice alternative to plain-old steamed carrots without adding a whole lot of calories and fat. They are good hot, warm or cold so they are excellent for buffets and pot lucks.

Gingered Spiced Carrots

Pasta & Seafood Salad with Basil

I call this a sophisticated pasta salad! It's perfect for summer entertaining because it's a one-dish meal, and shrimp, scallops and squid dress it up. Serve it on top of mixed greens for individual plating. For picnics, pile it all into a decorative container and refrigerate until you head off for the picnic. It's best slightly warm or at room temperature.

Pasta & Seafood Salad with Basil

Raspberry Squares

My mother-in-law has been making these for years and I always gobble them up. They are basically a shortbread with raspberry jam on top. An easy recipe to make with the kids. Perfect for a light dessert for a buffet or a holiday.

Raspberry Squares