Who doesn’t love homemade pickles? I certainly do! But sometimes the idea of making them seems intimidating, but I’m here to set the record straight. Pickling your summer garden veggies is fast, easy, and so much fun.

Fresh pickles in the making in a vintage crockpot with fresh fennel seeds and garlic chive blossoms.

Photo Credit: Kathy Casey Food Studios®

All you need is my Refrigerated Quick Pickle recipe! First clean a quart-sized jar, then pack it full with a mixture of vegetables. Think baby cucumbers, carrots, peppers, and cauliflower – garlic, chili pods, and some fresh flowering dill too if you have it. The ideas are endless so have fun with it!

Next boil up a sweet and tart vinegar brine and quickly pour into the veggie-packed jar. Screw on the lid, and cool to room temperature for about an 45 minutes – then pop in the refrigerator! In just two days you’ll have delicious pickled vegetables to bring to a picnic or enjoy at a backyard BBQ.

And pickling isn’t just for veggies – for something a little different, try one of my favorites –pickled peaches! Awesome to serve with your favorite cheeses, charcuterie platter, or grilled meats.

All these tangy delights will keep for a month in the refrigerator, so get picking and start pickling! -Kathy

Refrigerated Quick Pickles
Makes about 4 quarts
The following is a mixture of veggies that I like to use, but feel free to switch it up with what’s fresh from your garden or the market.

Vegetable Mixture:
7 cups (about 2 lb.) 3/4″-sliced pickling cucumbers
2 1/2 cups (3/4 lb.) 1/2″-thick-slant-cut carrots
2 medium jalapeño peppers, cut in half, or 1 large, quartered
1 1/2 cups (6 oz wt.) 1 1/2″ chunks yellow or white onion
1 1/2 cups (6 oz wt.) 1 1/2″ chunks red onion
2 cups (8 oz wt) 1″ chunks red bell peppers (substitute some hot peppers or some of your other favorite summer peppers if desired)
2 cups (3/4 lb.) 1/2″- to 3/4″-sliced yellow zucchini or yellow squash

Pickling Brine:
2 cups white distilled white vinegar
2 cups cider vinegar
1 3/4 cups water
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 Tbsp. pickling spice
3 Tbsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Place all vegetables in a large bowl and toss together to mix colors. Divide vegetables among four clean, regular mouth 1-quart canning jars, packing vegetables in tight. Set jars on a dish towel in a draft-free place in the kitchen.

Place the pickling brine ingredients in a non-aluminum sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil and then immediately ladle pickling brine into filled jars, filling to 1/2″ from the top and being sure to cover the vegetables and distribute spices evenly. Immediately cover jar with lid and tighten. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Let pickle for at least 2 days before eating. Pickles will last refrigerated up to 1 month.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

We all have childhood memories of eating something d’lish for the first time. For me, it’s fresh California artichokes introduced to me when I was 6 or 7 years old– as they were so fun to eat!

But if you didn’t grow up eating artichokes, they might seem a little intimidating at first. Rest assured, these funny looking vegetables are totally worth the effort. And with a little practice, it’s easy to become an artichoke expert.

The big globe variety lends itself to multiple cooking techniques- like boiling, steaming, or stuffed and baked. The heart of the artichoke is widely known as the best part, and often seen marinated or pickled. But baby artichokes are so tender you can eat the whole thing! Try incorporating them into crowd-pleasing favorites like my Chicken Parmesan Penne Bake with Fresh Herbs and Artichokes!

And don’t forget about the leaves! Plucked off one by one and dipped in butter, aioli or herbed lemon oil, then scraped across your teeth to get the meaty part. Yum! And don’t throw out that stem – it’s d’lish when peeled!

So enjoy some fresh artichokes during the peak of the season- you won’t be disappointed!

-Kathy

Chicken Parmesan Penne Bake with Fresh Herbs & Artichokes
Makes 6 to 8 servings

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 10 ounces)
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons flour
5 cups milk
1 pound dried penne pasta
1 1/2 cups fresh baby artichokes, trimmed, steamed until tender and quartered (or substitute 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped)
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish or spray with vegetable-oil cooking spray.
In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter with the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken, sprinkling with the salt and pepper, for about 3 minutes, until the chicken turns opaque. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes more, or until the mushrooms are limp. Add the garlic and cayenne and stir for about 20 seconds; do not let the garlic brown. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Immediately add the milk, whisking vigorously. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, for about 6 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions, or until just al dente. Drain well.
In a very large bowl, mix the pasta and sauce. Fold in the artichokes, herbs, mozzarella, and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan until well combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through, the sides are slightly bubbling, and the top is golden brown.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table Cookbook

Lemonades, limeades, fizzy orangeades – summertime and citrus go hand-in hand.

Start with the basic template: citrus juice, sugar, and water. Then switch it up a bit. How about Meyer lemon or Key lime juices?

Next get creative with water and add some soda water. But think outside of the box and use a flavored soda water – think La Croix or flavored Perrier like fizzy blackberry, sparkling peach, or effervescent blood orange.

Instead of making it with traditional cane sugar, sweeten it with organic agave nectar, a unique honey variety like wildflower or buckwheat, or try a touch of maple syrup.

You can also change up the ice. Have you heard about the fun butterfly pea tea? It changes color when you mix it with citrus juices. Yes, you can make ice cubes with this for a magical experience that kids of all ages will love! Or craft a delicious drink like a Honey Butterfly Tea Soda!

And for adults, a splash of your favorite spirit will snazz up that drink – vodka, gin, tequila, or rum. Who’s ready for a citrusy summer cocktail – I know I am! –Kathy

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios – Liquid Kitchen for The National Honey Board

Honey Butterfly Tea Soda
The sweet and tart honey citrus elixir adds flavor and body to this refreshing drink. The colorful brilliant blue butterfly pea tea creates a magical experience when mixed in!

Makes 1 drink

2 oz Honey Citrus Elixir (recipe follows)
2 oz soda water, chilled
1 1/2 oz brewed Butterfly Pea Tea, chilled
Garnish: lemon wheel

Measure the Honey Citrus Elixir into a tall glass. Fill with ice, then add the soda water and top with the tea.
Garnish with lemon wheel.

Honey Citrus Elixir
Makes 2 cups

1 tablespoon loose Jasmine tea
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1/2 cup boiling water
3/4 cup orange blossom honey
1 cup fresh lemon juice

Place the tea, ginger and boiling water in a pitcher. Let steep for 15 minutes then strain. Add the honey– stir and let cool to room temperature. Then stir in the lemon juice and refrigerate.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios – Liquid Kitchen for The National Honey Board

Deviled Eggs – they are everywhere these days! The long loved classic-style made with mustard, mayo and some pickle relish is a popular picnic and party favorite. But these days deviled eggs are getting all dressed up.

Steak and eggs? Yes, we have a deviled egg for that! Just mix up the yolks with a little A1 steak sauce and a touch of mayo – fill and top with a small slice of grilled steak.

For those that like it spicy, you’ll love my Wasabi Deviled Eggs. Wasabi paste, green onion, a touch of mayo and tiny diced cucumber get mixed with the yolk. I like to top this one with a spicy wasabi pea for a crunchy fun garnish!!

Who’s ready for a bite of Wasabi Deviled Eggs?
Photos from D’Lish Deviled Eggs.

Or how about getting your fiesta on with my Chipotle Deviled Eggs: add in some chipotle to deviled egg filling, then top with a little fresh salsa and pieces of crunchy corn chips.

Chipotle Deviled Eggs—yum!
Photos from D’Lish Deviled Eggs.

Have trouble peeling your hard boiled eggs? Well here’s a tip: roll them on the counter (gently) then peel under running water so the shells slip off easily.

And for more deviled egg ideas, make sure to get a copy of D’Lish Deviled Eggs – with over 50 recipes, there’s a recipe for everyone! So get crackin’ and enjoy some d’lish deviled eggs! –Kathy

Available in book stores, at the Food Studios, and online!

Wasabi Deviled Eggs
Wasabi adds a creative kick of heat, and crisp, fresh cucumber adds textural crunch to these bold eggs. Top these little green devils with a wasabi pea for a fun finish.

Makes 24

1 dozen hard-cooked eggs (recipe follows)

Filling
6 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. purchased wasabi paste (or 1 tablespoon wasabi powder mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onion
2 Tbsp. finely minced English cucumber

Topping
24 wasabi peas

Halve the eggs lengthwise and transfer the yolks to a mixing bowl. Set the egg white halves on a platter, cover, and refrigerate.

With a fork, mash the yolks to a smooth consistency. Add the mayonnaise and wasabi paste, and mix until smooth. (You can also do this in a mixing bowl with a whip attachment.) Stir in the green onion and cucumber.

Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain or large star tip, then pipe the mixture evenly into the egg white halves. Or fill the eggs with a spoon, dividing the filling evenly.

Top each egg half with a wasabi pea, whole or cracked.

Recipe from D’Lish Deviled Eggs by Kathy Casey, Andrews McMeel Publishing

Chipotle Deviled Eggs
I’ve been making these for years and they have become a cocktail-party staple. The spicy tomato topping adds textural and visual pizzazz. Serve these with your favorite margarita for a perfect pairing.

Makes 24

1 dozen hard-cooked eggs (recipe follows)

Filling,
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
3 Tbsp. regular or low-fat sour cream
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 to 2 Tbsp. chipotle chile purée (see tip)
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onion

Topping
1/2 cup small-diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp minced white onion
2 Tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 2 tsps chipotle chile purée (see tip)
Halve the eggs lengthwise and transfer the yolks to a mixing bowl. Set the egg white halves on a platter, cover, and refrigerate.
With a fork, mash the yolks to a smooth consistency. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, chipotle purée, garlic, and salt, and mix until smooth. (You can also do this in a mixing bowl with a whip attachment.) Stir in the green onion.
Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain or large star tip, then pipe the mixture evenly into the egg white halves. Or fill the eggs with a spoon, dividing the filling evenly.
To make the topping, in a small bowl, mix together the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and chipotle purée. Top each egg half with about 1 tsp of the topping.
Tip: To make chipotle chile purée, place canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, with the sauce, in a food processor or blender and purée until smooth. Freeze any extra purée for another use.

Recipe from D’Lish Deviled Eggs by Kathy Casey, Andrews McMeel Publishing

Hard-Cooked Eggs
1 dozen large chicken eggs

Place the eggs in a large nonreactive saucepan and add cold water to 1 inch above the eggs. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit for 10 minutes. Remove from the stove and run cool water over the eggs in the pan until they are cooled. When cool, carefully peel them under running water.

Recipe from D’Lish Deviled Eggs by Kathy Casey, Andrews McMeel Publishing

Luscious, sweet cherries just scream summer to me. Cherry pie, cherry cocktails, cherry shortcake, boozy cherries over ice cream – is there anything better? Fresh cherries are also so tasty in a cocktail like in my recipe for Cherry Mojitos for a Crowd (recipe follows) – perfect for patio sipping with friends.

I love cherries eaten out of hand, or in desserts, but they are also delicious incorporated into savory dishes too. Like in my Sassy Spicy Cherry Salsa – perfect for serving on a little goat cheese crostini or as a side kick to grilled chicken or salmon.

Simply half or quarter pitted cherries, toss with a little fine diced sweet onion, minced fresh ginger, a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of honey, and a little sriracha or chili paste. Then add in chopped cilantro or fresh snipped chives, season with sea salt, and voila! A crowd-pleasing salsa delicious on almost anything.

Don’t have a cherry pitter? Not to worry! Dig out those disposable to-go chopsticks I’m sure you have piled up in the kitchen drawer, poke through the cherry, and out pops the seed. Super quick and easy!

-Kathy

Cherry Mojitos for a Crowd
Makes about 10 servings

1 bunch fresh mint (about 1 1/2 cups sprigs)
3 cups Bacardi Limon rum or silver rum
2 cups sugar
2 cups fresh lime juice
1/4 cup clear cherry liqueur, such as Maraska maraschino
3 cups pitted fresh sweet cherries (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Loads of ice for serving
Two 10-ounce bottles soda water
Garnishes:
Fresh mint sprigs
Fresh cherries on the stem

In a large nonreactive container, such as a glass pitcher, combine the mint, rum, sugar, lime juice, liqueur, and pitted cherries. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

For each serving, fill a large rocks glass or tumbler with ice and measure in 6 ounces (3/4 cup) of the rum mixture, being sure to get some of the cherries into each glass. Top with 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of soda. Stir, then garnish with a mint sprig and a cherry.

Chefs Note: You can make the cherry-rum mixture up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated= the flavors will just get better and better.

Recipe © Kathy Casey Food Studios