Strawberry-Arugula Salad with Ricotta Topping

Perfect spring salad

Serves 8-10

4 pints strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced into quarters 1 pint raspberries, washed and blotted dry 1-2 cups sliced almonds 1 small bunch baby arugula, sliced into thin ribbons Kosher salt 2 lemons, zested and juiced 1 1/2 cups fresh, drained ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons sugar (or more, to taste) 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Toss the strawberries, raspberries, almonds, and sliced arugula with a pinch of kosher salt and the zest of 1 lemon.

For the dressing: In a separate bowl, mix the lemon juice and remaining lemon zest with the ricotta, sugar, and nutmeg. Taste and sweeten to taste, if necessary.

Serve the salad with the dressing on the side.

Asparagus with Poached Egg, Tarragon and Chives

This dish is AMAZING and super easy to make. It seriously tastes like candy.

Serves 4

1 bunch tarragon 1 bunch chives Juice of 1 lemon Extra virgin olive oil About 24 asparagus spears, blanched 4 eggs, poached

Whizz the tarragon, chives, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Add enough olive oil to achieve the consistency you like. Set aside while preparing the asparagus and eggs.

Divide the asparagus spears between four plates. Spoon the dressing over the spears and then top with the poached eggs.

Garnish with Parmesan cheese, chopped herbs, or freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

Spring is in the air

Ahhhhhh. Finally I can feel the warmth and feel my toes and fingers. I've actually worn just a T-shirt out side off and on the past couple weeks. These pictures are from Easter (a little behind). We've both been super busy with work and taking care of this little muffin.

Also, I have a new obsession lately for eating healthier. I've read Michael Pollan and Watched Jamie Oliver and have totally jumped on the eating fresh from scratch band wagon. Some people may call it "trendy" but I just call it common sense. Common sense that I never understood until I read the facts.

So, I'll be sharing some of my favorite recipes on the blog. Just so you know, I'm not a cook...AT ALL. All of the recipes are super easy....really, anyone could do it. I bought a bread machine and have been making all of our bread so I'll also post some great bread machine recipes.

Happy Spring!

Workin it

It comes in handy having a photographer husband. Poppy worked it in front of the camera.

Happiness

This is what makes Poppy happy these days. Our junk. Our random junk. No need to buy any new toys...pointless. She's also really into sitting in our window seal and checking things out. You know, making sure people are following the rules. She's jabbering like crazy. Kind of sounds like alien talk mixed with giggles. She's awesome.

Fish Eye