Potluck and picnic potato salad.

I love summer. It really is the best time of year. The heat, the humidity, the sun, the fresh vegetables – heaven! The only downside I can think of is that it is usually (hopefully!) too nice to want to spend much time in the kitchen. I want to be at the pool, in the garden or playing bocce with friends. When I do step into the kitchen I want to create meals that are fast, seasonal and adaptable. Like potato salad. Now I’m not talking the mayonnaise loaded salad of our youth but a fresh, zingy, loaded with vegetables one that is a full on meal in a bowl.

Getting outside and nettle soup.

If April showers do in fact bring May flowers then Vancouver should have an amazing May. But May is here and while there are lots of flowers the continued rain (and snow in certain parts of the country – shudder) is making me think that perhaps May needs a little reminder what its job is, to be warm enough that we can all get outdoors after a long, cooped up winter and raise our pasty faces to the sun.

Pipes, haggis and plaid.

Quick.  Don’t think.  What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say the word bagpipes? What about ‘neeps? Haggis? Scotch? Plaid?

Are you cringing or smiling?

Chicken Soup and CPR.

As a personal trainer every year I have to redo my CPR.  When I showed up for the class a few weeks ago my instructor said “I was sick last week and my husband made me your chicken soup recipe – thanks for that”.   As we sat there doing chest compressions all I could think of was “what chicken soup recipe”.  Then, a couple of weeks later I got an email from a client asking if I could please send her my recipe for turkey soup.  Hmmm. Taking it as a sign I went through some of my old newsletters to see what they were referring to.  Ah ha!  This soup has been floating around my kitchen for so long I don’t even think of it as a recipe anymore.  Originally from the cookbook The Best of Cooking Light (2000), it is super easy, healthy and satisfying.  Exactly what you want in a chicken soup.  Now you will probably get around to making soup before you take CPR.  Personally I strongly suggest doing both.  However unlike this recipe, I hope the CPR never comes in handy.