Recipe round up - a few new dishes for you to try

Warmer weather tends to lighten up our dinners like sandwiches and salads with lots of fresh veggies. Here are a few things we've liked at our house in the past few weeks:

These are the toppings for a tasty fried fish sandwich. Gwyneth Paltrow (aka GP) has a great recipe for a fried sole sandwich with spicy mayo in her cookbook My Father's Daughter. I bought thick, flaky cod fillets instead of sole and subbed hot dog buns for the baguette. With bread and butter pickles, spicy arugula, a squeeze of lemon and the kicky mayo--delish! Here's a link to the recipe.

Right up there with GP in my "be my bff, please" list is Tyler Florence. His cookbook Family Meal is not only gorgeous to look at, it's full of recipes you'll want to share with your family, friends and neighbors--the point of the book. Though sometimes his recipes can skew a bit more fussy than I prefer, this recipe for angel hair pasta with arugula and lemon is simple, comes together in minutes and tastes like something off a fine dining menu---and yet approachable. I don't know how else to explain it. Red pepper flakes and sliced garlic simmer in olive oil infusing it with a warm spice--but not too hot. The bright, peppery arugula (we need a new adjective for arugula--but peppery is such a good one), lemon and salty Parmesan cheese are perfect together. I served with a simple baked salmon. Shutterbean has a good step by step on her blog here. 

photo from Once Upon a Chef blog 

I can't say enough good things about this Asian slaw with ginger peanut dressing from Once Upon a Chef blog that was floating around on Pinterest. Though the dressing looks a little complicated (several ingredients) it comes together quickly and is SO delicious. It's perfect on this salad but would also be great over hot noodles or as a dipping sauce for spring rolls. Crunchy carrots, cabbage, red peppers and edamame---light but filling for a summer supper. I served with baked fish. 

I'm sure your summer is already full of picnics, birthday parties, family reunions and cook outs. My mother in law made these cutie panda cakes for our recent family get together. These are among the MANY cute ideas on Bakarella's blog. They were a big hit with the kiddos and adults alike. Chocolate chips make up the eyes, nose and ears of these little mini panda cakes. Have fun placing the chocolate sprinkle, well, any way you can, for a mouth. The more random the placement the cuter the expression. Tip--recruit help! Three of us in shifts put together a tray of 80 or so mini cupcakes-ha! Several steps but SO worth the results. 

Have you tried anything worth sharing lately?