When I started planning the menu for the afternoon baby shower I hosted for our latest Gatherings from The Kitchn, I knew I wanted to serve salmon. High in omega-3 fats and low in mercury, salmon is a great choice for pregnant women who are confused about which fish they can and should be eating.

But this recipe isn’t just for pregnant women, of course. On a bed of crisp greens, alongside cold roasted asparagus, a piece of this mustard-brushed salmon is terribly elegant. It’s also just as good cold as it is hot, making it an easy option for a picnic or a warm-weather dinner.

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When strawberries come into their own in late May and early June, they need very little help making their way from the carton into our mouths. But once you’ve eaten a few pounds and perhaps made a batch of chocolate-dipped strawberries, what’s next?

How about toasted marshmallow strawberries? This is a two-ingredient dessert that also happens to be a fun after-dinner treat to make with friends. Think of it as strawberry S’mores, no campfire needed. Toasty, sweet marshmallows and tart berries? So delicious. Make extra — here’s how!

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My hubby and I really love cooking together, but these days, between his hectic med school schedule and my work schedule, we rarely get around to it during the week. Weekend mornings are the perfect opportunity to get the kitchen dirty and enjoy a leisurely meal made by the both of us. One of our favorites is this Green Shakshuka recipe: warm eggs cooked over a bed of garlicky leeks and greens with tangy feta cheese, all served with crusty bread.

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One thing being pregnant has taught me: most of the time, the non-alcoholic drink options suck. Restaurants and bars that pride themselves on their innovative cocktails often come up short on the non-alcoholic side, offering perhaps a couple artisanal sodas or a too-sweet lemonade. And if I want anything beyond water or Coke at friends’ parties, I’ve learned to bring it myself.

So when I started planning a baby shower for a friend, I knew from the start that the non-alcoholic drink option had to feel as special as everything else on the menu. This tart, refreshing, lightly floral lemonade made with lavender blossoms was exactly what I was looking for.

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As we plan summer potlucks and backyard parties, pasta salads remain the quintessential centerpiece of the buffet feast. With its fork-tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and savory dressing, this classic dish should be piled high on every picnic plate. So delicious and flexible, a pasta salad can be whatever you want it to be — including fresh, light, and vegetable-forward.

These 10 fresher, lighter pasta salads lighten up those traditional rich and mayo-laden salads with touches of Greek yogurt, creamy roasted garlic, pesto, or a simple drizzle of olive oil.

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A few years ago, I hit an age where spring and early summer became shower season, a time to celebrate moms-to-be and excited brides with food, friends, and maybe a few games. I never thought I was a Shower Person — I will flunk your quiz on celebrity couples, I despise the color pink — until my own bridal shower, which was beautiful, not at all cheesy, and most of all fun. So I was excited to plan a baby shower for my friend Beth for our Gatherings from The Kitchn series, a grown-up party full of colorful details, a fresh, sophisticated salad bar, and nary a baby rattle in sight. Want to see how I did it?

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“It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are.” — Wendell Berry

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Julia’s Open, Antique-Industrial Atlanta Kitchen

Happy weekend everyone! How’s the weather in your part of the world? It’s glorious here, and I’m ready for summer. What about you? Are you out in the garden or at the farmers market? Tell us what’s cooking in your kitchen this weekend; we’d love to hear all about it! Also, just in case you missed it, here are a few of my favorite posts from the past week.

• Mason jar + blender = awesome smoothies.
• Gina’s sweet and sad letter to a childhood kitchen.
• This salt cellar looks like an egg, white outside and yolky yellow inside. (Also, my new favorite potholder!)
• A smart trick for chopping up canned tomatoes with less mess.
• I’m definitely making some of these this weekend.
• Cauliflower that looks like pasta.

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Do you have anything special planned this weekend? Why not try something new and fun in the kitchen! Switch things up by making this Mediterranean salad with cauliflower “couscous” or try Maureen’s riff on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail (in slushy form!). If it’s hot where you are, cool down with this tropical cilantro smoothie or no-bake icebox cake. And if you’re in the mood for something classic and cheesy, don’t miss out on Emma’s roasted red pepper, sausage, and jack cheese pizza.

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From Apartment Therapy → Stylish Dining Chairs Under $200

“Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color to your space, warm it up with wood, or perhaps keep it looking clean in white, we’ve rounded up ten great looking choices that will keep your wallet happy.”

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