Fresh Strawberry Lemon Cream Cake is pictured this month
Hello marvelous May,
May gets an "arms-wide-open" welcome as it signals the arrival of fresh, delectable, local produce. This month we'll dive right into it all and fill our kitchens and homes with the sights and smells of rhubarb, asparagus, mushrooms (morels, if we're fortunate), strawberries, spinach, spring greens, and more. After a winter of utilizing supermarket or frozen fruits and vegetables, it is literally a breath of fresh spring air to finally be cooking with locally-sourced ingredients again. For a little inspiration, here's a peek at the recipes you'll enjoy this month.
Mother's Day is nearly here, and I have some recipes this month specifically with Mom in mind. Strawberry-Rhubarb Cinnamon Rolls are quite special, with strawberries and rhubarb tucked into moist cinnamon rolls topped with a feminine pink strawberry frosting, perfect for the occasion. For a grown-up treat, try the Strawberry Lemon Bellini, made with homemade Limoncello. There's a virgin version for the kids and those who choose a non-alcoholic version, too. Happy Mother's Day!
Flatbread with Wild Mushrooms & Gruyere Cheese is savory and satisfying, and the perfect appetizer for any meal. Follow that with Spinach & Scallop Soup, a soup that sold out at the cafe frequently; the simple ingredients combine to create a delicate, subtle, soup with amazing flavor that would be right at home in any upscale restaurant. Of course we all love a tasty salad, so give my Spring Baby Spinach Salad with Orange Vinaigrette a try. I dress it up with a Parmesan Crisp, nutty, crispy, and a bit salty, a great accompaniment.
Chicken Fricasee with Spring Vegetables makes use of chicken thighs braised with mushrooms, carrots, leeks, white wine, and finished off with asparagus and chives. Serve it over some simple buttered noodles for an unforgettable meal. And for your meals on the go, make Feast's Chicken Roll-Ups and you'll have lunch ready and waiting for your next adventure!
Every month we end with a memorable dessert, and this month's recipe is perfect for Mother's Day, Memorial Day, or any other day that you choose to celebrate. Fresh Strawberry & Lemon Cream Cake (pictured above) starts with my Easy Homemade Yellow Cake, spread with Easy Strawberry Sauce, then filled with a combination of Easy Lemon Curd and Whipped Cream That Won't Fall Flat, and sliced fresh strawberries. You'll find many uses for the yellow cake and lemon curd, and of course the whipped cream is a staple for many of us.
Videos are coming throughout the month, so stay tuned! Also, if you're a member and use Facebook, but aren't a member of the private Feast of Eden Cooks at Home! Member's Only Facebook page, shoot me an email and I will add you! Of course, I love to hear which of the recipes you are making and how you like them. Questions? Be sure to utilize the Ask the Chef feature!
Let's enjoy spring while we have it, taking advantage of the ingredients that inspire us, and get cooking!
Blessings,
