Springtime in a bowl. As the temperatures begin to climb, and we begin the transition from spring to summer, I find myself standing in front of the freezer dreaming of a cold bowl of something delicious. This always satisfies.

Sometimes I know you just wake up with that craving for homemade pizza, don’t fear, this recipe is for you.

What is so amazing about pavlova, is that it is a deliciously crunchy, marshmallowy canvas on which you can create any combination of ingredients imaginable. Whatever your garden is providing at that moment, this meringue is ready to showcase.

Spring means acacia trees heavy with their beautiful blossoms. Delicate, beautiful, and the flowers are completely edible. This is a meal where nothing can be done ahead of time. The flowers are best picked right before you plan to fry them and they must be eaten almost immediately after cooking. It is a very fulfilling afternoon activity - to head out to harvest the flowers and head straight back to the kitchen and get frying. Though nothing can be done ahead of time, everything comes together very quickly and you will be eating these finger-licking good treats in no time.

This is my go-to if I need to feed myself fast. It can be eaten happily, for any meal, at any time. It goes deliciously on a bed of polenta with an egg on top, a side to a tomato salad with white beans, or with poached salmon and rice, or even hearty steaks.

Horseradish is an intense green, slightly bitter, a bit spicy, and delicious. If I am serving it to a crowd who might not favor the bitterness, I mix it in with other greens to sorta mellow it out - something towards a 25% horseradish, 75% other greens. I love the complexity it adds to this dish.

One of the staple ingredients in my kitchen. I actually found myself out the other day, and with a mean immediate craving for risotto, so I went to the store and bought the best looking brand I could find. It was terrible. This is one thing that is just worth making yourself. I usually make a batch a week and freeze any leftovers in well-labeled quart containers. Read my note at the bottom about the chicken feet… it really makes a difference…

This delicious Middle Eastern cheese can be served as a creamy dip or rolled into flavorful spheres, coated with herbs and spices, and suspended in olive oil. Whatever your choice, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, very simple to make, and the flavor pairings are endless.

I love garlic with a passion — vampires beware. This pesto might be a little bold to eat by the spoonful (though you’ll probably catch me doing just that), but tossed with roasted vegetables or stirred into freshly cooked pasta, it’s absolutely divine. Try spreading it on a warm slice of bread… that loaf won’t last long.

A happy childhood memory of the morning light streaming in through the kitchen window. Woken up by the smell of something delicious baking, I stumbled barefoot and butt-ass naked to the kitchen. My momma handed me a little slice of cornbread hot from the oven with a pat of butter and some honey drizzled on top. Happiness.

This cornbread’s different from that memory but it still makes me happy. It has some kick. Adjust however pleases your palette.