Curried Corn

Light, healthy, and not your ordinary side dishes. If you haven't discovered curry powder, you're missing out on an amazing spice that goes with everything and totally changes the ordinary into extraordinary.

Ingredients: 1 can of corn or even better, shave some off a cob, 1 tbsp butter, 2 tsp. curry powder, sprinkle cayanne pepper, 2 tbsp chopped onion, and salt and pepper to taste.

Directions: Melt butter with chopped onion in the skillet until soft and browned. Add corn and cover to steam cook for 5 minutes, adding curry powder 2 minutes in. Add more butter, salt and pepper, and cayanne pepper to taste.

The Prettiest Simple Salad You've Ever Seen

So cute it's hard to cut into, but over a bed of spinach it gets even better when deconstructed. Promise. Great for entertaining or a fun way to bring some creativity to the same old salad ingredients. I love this one!

Ingredients: 2 tomatoes, cucumber, chopped fresh basil, chopped fresh spinach, extra spinach for bed, feta cheese.

Directions: Cut out the inside of the tomato, first cutting out the core, then scooping around. Cut the inside of the tomato up and add to mixture. Cut up some cucumber into small cubed chunks. Leave the skin on for more nutrients. Chop up some spinach and basil, sprinkle salt and pepper and mix all together. Scoop into tomato and put on a bed of spinach. Drizzle a little oil and balsamic vinegar if you need to, but it's good without too.

Grilled Cheese and Fruit Gourmet Goodness Sandwiches

The thing I like most about tapas is that it's socially acceptable to taste off everyone's plate. Remember that "Party of Five" Jennifer Love Hewitt couple...they would go out to dinner, eat half, then trade...pretty much the most genius dining situation ever. Inspired by variety, when I cook, I like to give options, and along with the sandwich trend comes many many combinations. This is one of my favorite and makes for great entertaining bites when you cut them up. It takes a total of 5 minutes to make and is also great for hikes, picnics, wine parties, and leftover lunches.

Ingredients: ciabatta bread, 1 granny smith apple, 1 pear, brie, honey.

Directions: Slice ciabatta in half, drizzle some honey on top, add slices of brie, sliced apples or pears, and broil for 2 minutes.

Feel free to mix around honey for fruit preserves like apricot chutney. Switch up the apples and pears for grilled peaches. Or try cheddar instead of brie.Pair with your favorite wine and smile.

Pesto Veggie Sandwich

It's spring time and I'm dreaming of picnics, may be why I am loving sandwiches right now. The grilled flavor brings the warmth without the heavy comfort winter food. I also love how creative you can be in mixing up different combinations.

Ingredients: portabella mushroom, fresh spinach, asparagas, pesto, whole wheat rolls, and cheese (I prefer cheddar but feta works great too).

Directions: Grill or pan fry asparagas and mushrooms. Boil water and add spinach cooking until soft. Spread pesto on one bun and put cheese on the other and broil for 2 minutes to get that nice crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside texture. Add veggies and dinner in 10 minutes is done! These make great leftovers, hike lunch, picnic fun, etc.