On April 18, 2008, 3:37 pm peggy said Sometimes the simplest dinner--liked a grilled steak and green salad--deserves something special on the side. These delicious mushrooms are actually quite easily made, and inevitably draw rave reviews. (In fact, you may want to re-think the yield of 12 large mushrooms to serve 4; I think 3 is more realistic.) Packages of panko--large, flaky, Japanese dried bread crumbs--are becoming increasingly available at well-stocked supermarkets; look for them in the aisle alongside other Asian foods. I think the finished mushrooms benefit from a squeeze of fresh lemon, just before serving. They would also make a delicious appetizer, served with or without a dipping sauce.

On April 18, 2008, 3:41 pm foodieprincess said Still having a love affair with asparagus, I decided a simple tart would be the perfect way to showcase this great vegetable. This recipe doesn't get much easier, I'm not a huge fan of tarragon so I omitted that, however a little freshly ground pepper and fresh garlic more than make up for its absence.

On April 18, 2008, 3:38 pm foodieprincess said Over the winter I picked up a bag of barley, I was either looking for an alternative to couscous and rice or maybe I was planning on making soup with it. Unfortunately it never made it out of the pantry until now. This recipe is light and the combination of parsley and walnuts complemented each other surprisingly well. This salad will make a great addition to your spring dining table.

On April 18, 2008, 3:38 pm peggy said These easy and delicious fish tacos have all the makings of a casual one-dish dinner. Unlike many restaurant tacos, however, they are filled with fresh and healthy ingredients. I cooked the halibut a bit less than the recipe instructs, and broke it into large chunks for the tacos. I also served sliced pickled jalapeños on the side, just because I like things spicy. If dinner is part of your plan, store-bought mango sorbet is a good choice.