There are a variety of ways arugula can be used in the kitchen. This recipe for arugula pesto is a prime example. It is a delicious way to prepare pesto when fresh basil is not available.

This asparagus and horseradish dip is a fun and tasty snack that is always a hit.

Grow eggplant and flat leaf parsley in your garden to have the ingredients for baba ghanoush.

This dish capitalizes on the classic combination of tomatoes and basil. I always have cherry tomatoes and basil growing in my summer vegetable garden so it's one of those dishes that comes...

This is a classic summer favorite using fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. I like things that are full of flavor, simple and easy to make, and this is certainly one of them.

I just harvested an armload of hot peppers from the garden and have set aside a few for making this spicy dip.

This is one of those appetizers that will turn even the most disciplined diners into a glutton. And these are really easy to make so have plenty of ingredients on hand to whip up another batch...

This Cherry Tomato Salsa is delicious!

If you're lucky enough to have a fig tree in your backyard, you will love this recipe from Darla Huie with Dizzy's Grill and Bistro. If you don't have fig trees in your backyard, you can get them...

I have a devil of a time growing cilantro. I hope to have enough to use in a variety of dishes including this recipe for cilantro pesto.

You don't need a fancy dehydrator to make these yummy dried apple chips.

Here is an easy recipe for one of my favorite snacks. Loaded with garlic it not only tastes great but will keep you healthy as well.

This is another great recipe from The Viking Cooking School. Soybeans, chili oil, garlic, miso and lemon juice create a tasty dip that is a delightful twist on hummus.

This recipe for herbed cream cheese couldn't be easier to prepare. It's a great way to use the herbs that you grow in your garden.

Melons are great paired with tangy cheeses such as havarti, gorgonzola or chevre or served as a refreshing dessert with an after dinner wine. This recipe can be used either way.

This Greek Olive Spread and Crostini are delicious!

Viking Cooking School Chef Elizabeth Heiskell fires up the indoor grill and demonstrates how to turn ordinary asparagus into something extraordinary. The Ginger Sesame Dipping Sauce that...

I featured this Whole Foods recipe as a cooking segment in my half hour television show P. Allen Smith Gardens. The chef prepared these stuffed mushrooms on an indoor grill, but they can be cooked...

It's not often that during a fine-dining experience, you overhear the shout of "Play ball!" and then the cheer of a large crowd, but that's just the way it is at Ump's Pump and Grill located...

This fresh salsa is one of my favorite summer treats. What sets this salsa recipe apart is that the tomatoes, peppers and onions are grilled, which adds a rich, smoky flavor.

These pecans combine savory garlic and sweet honey with excellent results. They are always a hit at a party and super easy to prepare.

I typically serve these glazed walnuts during the winter holidays, but they are also good to have around for adding a little crunch to salads or for topping off ice cream.

Chef Martha Foose at the Viking Cooking School makes entertaining seem easy with her recipe for Marinated Feta Bruschetta.

Now I've eaten a lot of flowers and many of them can taste pretty bland, but not the spicy little nasturtium bloom. This is a simple recipe and it just takes a few basic ingredients. Try this...

This delectable appetizer recipe combines fresh vegetables and herbs with artichoke hearts, shrimp and a creamy cheese sauce.

Vidalia onions are grown in a specific region in Georgia and are available for only a limited time in summer. Their mild flavor makes them perfect for grilling, relishes, salads and this...

These cheese crisps literally take about 10 minutes to make. Serve them with cherry tomatoes, olives and slices of salami and you have a nice "fast food" snack to tide you over until dinner.

This Peach and Ginger Salsa is delicious!

It seems like the higher the temperatures rise some of the vegetables perform better than others and nothing likes the heat better than okra.

This canned pickle okra recipe is a great...

Popcorn is one of those simple gifts from the garden that can't be improved upon unless it's spun into the form of popcorn balls. They are a treat for all ages.

These simple sandwiches capitalize on the spicy flavor and crisp texture of radishes.

Natchez chef Regina Charboneau shared a recipe for flaky, buttered biscuits that are delicious any time of the day.

Roasted garlic is delicious simply spread on a slice of toasted bread, but it can also be used to spice up some of your favorite dishes.

This is a simple method for roasting pumpkin seeds that I hope will become a Halloween tradition in your home. These make a healthy and delicious snack and preparing them can be a lot of fun for...

This recipe is really simple. It requires butternut squash, apples and onion. It’s a beautiful presentation and delicious with so many other things in fall.

Whether you have a party planned or just want to treat yourself to a traditional Southern favorite with a twist, this recipe from chef and cookbook author Regina Charboneau's repertoire is sure to...

Chef David Bennett's take on Oysters Rockefeller is made with Shiitake mushrooms rather than oysters in honor of his vegetarian mother. I like it because he uses fresh, locally grown produce and...

Chef Chris Green with the Viking Cooking School gave me this recipe for Smoked Eggplant Spread. It's a smoky twist on baba ghanoush, the Classic Middle Eastern pureed eggplant dip. This creamy...

I first tasted this appetizer at a party catered by a long time friend. I found myself sampling this tasty dip all evening. She agreed to give me the recipe, which is so simple I could write it...

This recipe combines tomatillos, cilantro, garlic and jalapenos with avocados and sour cream to create a flavorful dip that is great with chips as an appetizer or when used as topping for...

he filling sticks to the traditional recipe, but I find that these 2 or 3 bite sized pies are the perfect serving size.

These Stuffed Squash Blossoms are delicious!

The Viking Cooking School in Greenwood, Mississippi, is home to many talented chefs who share their skills with everyday folks who want to brush up on their culinary knowledge. Chef Jeffrey Bates...

If you don't have much time and you want something tasty this recipe can be thrown together in a hurry and it works equally well with almonds.

It's simple to make and it's delicious with grilled fish or poultry.

One of my favorite dishes is homemade pizza. So much so, I installed a pizza oven in the outdoor kitchen. It's built right into the back of the chimney for the fire place in the summer kitchen....

I tend to plant more tomatoes than I will ever need and by late summer there is such an over abundance of homegrown tomatoes that I'm searching for ways to use them all. This is why I was so...

It tastes great on crackers or as a sandwich spread and it will give you a chance to make the most of some of your early vegetables - all without cooking.

This baked onion dip is a great tasting appetizer that will vanish quickly.