Simmering asparagus briefly in well-salted water is the way for first-of-the-season asparagus. A stellar first course or a light lunch.
Appetizer
Baked Peppers with Feta and Bread Crumbs
Sweet peppers seem destined for stuffing, given their shape and hollow interior. There are all kinds of delightful sweet peppers available, in every color and size. I found some diminutive, colorful Gypsy peppers at the market one day and came up with this dish, which actually qualifies as dainty and delicate.
Buttermilk Bacon Stuffed Eggs
No Southern food spread of any kind—funeral, baby shower, wedding party, holiday celebration, or tailgate—would be complete without a tray of stuffed eggs.
Julia Turshen’s Spicy Tandoori Cauliflower with Minted Yogurt
The yogurt and assertive spice combination give the cauliflower an enormous depth of flavor and a really rich texture. For a complete meal, serve this with white or brown rice, quinoa, or warm flatbread and a platter of sliced cucumbers that you’ve drizzled with lemon juice and sprinkled with salt.
Eggplant Rounds with Goat Cheese and Herb Salsa
This light dish, perfectly portioned and wonderfully herbaceous, works as a fresh appetizer, starter, or alongside a grilled steak, pork chop, or steak.
Roasted Sugar Pecans
This sweet 3-ingedient snack is served at the fair in paper cones. Fair season or not, sugary roasted pecans make a great nibble for family game night, cocktail parties, or any party really.
