1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (4-1/4 cups) 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup warm water 1 teaspoon vanilla **Tip: Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized dried egg whites, sugar, and edible gums. Look for it in the baking aisle of your supermarket or at a specialty food store.

1 ½ cup chopped fresh apricots or peeled peaches ¾ cup chopped red or green sweet pepper ¾ cup chopped, seeded cucumber ¼ cup sliced green onion 1 jalapeno peppers**, seeded and finely chopped 2 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro or parsley ** Because hot chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your eyes, lips, and skin, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible....

Tater Talk Starchy, mealy-textured potatoes give gnocchi a lite and tender bite. Avoid using waxier potatoes, such as Yukon golds, which tend to give gnocchi a gummier mouthfeel.

1 ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup butter ½ cup water 2 tablespoon molasses 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup bourbon

*Tip: To peel tomatoes, use a small sharp knife to cut a shallow “X” into the bottom of each tomato. Immerse tomatoes in batches in boiling water to cover. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds or until tomato skins split open. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to a large bowl of ice water. When cool enough to handle, use the knife or your fingers to peel skin off tomatoes.

8 ounce whole wheat or chickpea spaghetti noodles or millet-brown rice ramen (such as Lotus Foods brand) 1 ½ pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce Crushed red pepper, to taste Salad: 2 cup finely shredded red cabbage 1 large carrot, peeled into strips or julienned 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 3 radishes, thinly sliced 3 green onions, chopped Ginger Soy Vinaigrette (see recipe) Peanut Sauce (see recipe)...

3 ounce white baking chocolate, chopped 1 cup whipping cream Mascarpone Frosting ½ cup mascarpone cheese ¼ cup butter, softened ½ teaspoon vanilla 4 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoon milk

1 8 ounce container mascarpone cheese or cream cheese, softened ½ cup butter, softened 2 teaspoon vanilla 5 cup powdered sugar ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Redbud Care Must-Knows Redbuds are easy-to-grow trees that don’t need a lot of care. Give them well-drained soil with even moisture, and they’ll be content. Redbuds don’t like to stay too wet and can take some drought once established. Plant them in full sun to get the best of redbud trees in bloom. This will also produce the best foliage color for the redbud tree varieties that come in different shades, especially those with burgundy foliage....

1 large onion, chopped 2 stalks lemon grass, tender white portion thinly sliced ¼ cup water 2 inch section fresh ginger, peeled, chopped ½ cup cilantro 3 fresh serrano chile peppers, seeded (see Note) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon five-spice powder ¾ teaspoon salt