May Featured Menu Items: Apricots, Cherries, and Green Beans

Spring has sprung, and it is finally time to start making the switch from citrus to berries and stone fruit! Apricots and cherries will be the first fruits to come into season, followed by peaches, plums, and nectarines later in the summer. Not only are stone fruits delicious on their own, but they are also great for baking. Two years ago during my summer camp cooking class, my students and I made a peach and cherry cobbler, which was a huge hit (with a little vanilla bean ice cream, of course). What is better than sweet fresh fruit for dessert?

Green beans are one of my favorite vegetables, so simple but crisp and refreshing. I remember many evening in the summer when I helped pick them from my family’s garden and snap the ends. Involve your kids in the preparation of dinner- they are much more likely to eat something they helped prepare! If you need some green bean inspiration, check out these ideas for cooking green beans- http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-enjoy-green-beans-other-than-in-a-casserole-recipes-from-the-kitchn-190455. I will definitely be trying the three bean salad with creamy lemon dressing and the green beans with Gorgonzola and basil vinaigrette. Yum!