The trick to serving dinner outdoors is to prepare most of the meal ahead of time so that you can join in on the conversation and not be rushing in and out of the house. Here are some make-ahead dishes that fit the bill, from Cold Curried Cucumber Soup with Mint Ginger Pesto to Halibut with Scapes and Shrimp served with Anchovy Roasted Fingerlings. And don't forget dessert, a lusciously moist Cottage Cheese Batter Cake.

I have been working with EpiPen to develop allergy-free recipes for people who are allergic to the most common allergens of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy and shellfish. My husband Bruce is very allergic to peanuts so I know how challenging it can be to manage and we are very proud to have won an award from The International Association of Business Communicators (a professional organization for PR types) for the campaign. To celebrate here are three of my favourite recipes including, Peanut-Free Pad Thai, Stir-Fried Ground Chicken with Spinach and a mouth-watering Chocolate Cake. For more allergy-free recipes, visit www.epipen.ca.

In his latest blog entry, Bruce discovers the joys of Canadian pinot and finds a new favourite pairing for salmon in the process... with a little help from chef Michael Smith. Read about it on Bruce's Wine Blog.

As local, just-picked vegetables pile into the marketplace, it's an excellent time to make interesting vegetarian meals including Korean Bi Bim Bap, Polenta with Mushrooms and Pasta with Green Peas, Leeks, Arugula and Asparagus.

I get pleasure from a great sandwich, especially in the summer time, when casual meals, cottages and picnics call out for sensuous summer fare which is why I love Tom Colicchio's book 'wichcraft (Clarkson Potter, $32). He takes the humble sandwich and elevates it into gourmet cuisine, as in Marinated Fresh Tuna,Pickled Peppers, Garlic and Mayo and Banana Bread with Caramel Ice Cream and Pecan Brittle.

Here is a kid-friendly menu perfect for feeding a crowd on any summer holiday, including Flank Steak sandwiches, Grilled Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza and S'more Squares--you'll find the recipe in my upcoming book, A Year in Lucy's Kitchen (Random House), set to be available in October.

My mother, Pearl Geneen, was a huge influence on me. She loved good food, was a superb self-taught cook and became an aficionado of all things stylish. She was equally good at perfecting main dishes and desserts and could coax taste out of any ingredient. I still remember her Thousand Layer Cake with multiple layers of puff pastry (her own, of course) and a chocolate and custard filling.

Now I have learned we have more in common than I thought. Last week, a friend who had been going through his mother's old recipe file sent me an article that my mother wrote for the "Women's Globe and Mail" 41 years ago.

Here are some of my favourite recipes I gleaned from my recent trip to Hawaii, including Tuna and Avocado Poke, Shutome Puttanesca with Artichoke Purée, Macaroni and Potato Salad.

Fresh and flavourful, Asian appetizers are a great way to awaken taste buds that have been slumbering through the winter. Based on fresh vegetables, fruits and light dressings and dips with a lot of citrus and not much oil, these recipes, including Summer Rolls, Coconut Shrimp and Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin Chicken are guaranteed to give a lift to any spring menu.

Here are some of our favourite recipes from recent issues of Food & Drink, including Pork Finished with a Shower of Clams, Miso-Rubbed Roasted Chicken Breasts on a Bed of Sushi Rice Pilaf, Pan-Seared Thai Beef on a Bed of Fragrant Noodles and for dessert Greek Cheesecake with Poached Figs. Enjoy!