Every summer, Elena Salsedo, former owner of Sweet Elena’s Bakery & Café in Sand City, celebrates the market’s bounty with this rustic, buttery Summer Fruit Kuchen. Lightly sweet and golden, it’s the perfect way to showcase ripe apricots, cherries, plums, or berries. The tender whole wheat pastry and caramelized edges make it as welcome at...Read More

This Rhubarb Custard Pie is a classic example of the humble yet unforgettable desserts found throughout the rural South — simple, pure, and deeply comforting. Tender rhubarb brings its signature tang, perfectly balanced by a silky, lightly sweetened custard that bakes up golden and fragrant inside a flaky, homemade crust. The result is a pie...Read More

This Rich Chocolate Ice Cream is everything a homemade frozen dessert should be: velvety, intensely chocolatey, and perfectly balanced with a subtle tang from buttermilk. The combination of rich cream and farm-fresh egg yolks gives it an irresistibly smooth texture, while high-quality cocoa adds depth and sophistication. It’s a simple yet luxurious treat that churns...Read More

This treasured Shelly Family Rhubarb Pie comes from the family of Catherine Barr, Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. Passed down through generations, it’s a recipe that captures the warmth and nostalgia of home baking — a perfect balance of tart, juicy rhubarb wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. The filling is...Read More

This elegant Pesto Cheese Torta is a crowd-pleasing appetizer layered with creamy, buttery cheese and vibrant homemade basil pesto. It’s rich, flavorful, and beautifully simple to prepare ahead—perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or wine nights. Served with crisp crackers or crostini, each slice reveals alternating layers of green and white that make a stunning presentation...Read More

Few desserts are as timeless—or as comforting—as a classic pound cake. Rich, buttery, and delicately golden, this cake has the perfect balance of moist crumb and tender texture. Whether served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with juicy summer fruit like peaches, berries, or macerated strawberries, it’s a dessert that never goes out of...Read More

This Fresh Lemon–Strawberry Sparkling Lemonade is sunshine in a glass—refreshingly tart, lightly sweet, and bursting with real fruit flavor. Fresh lemon juice gives it zing, while puréed strawberries (or raspberries) add a beautiful blush of color and natural sweetness. Finished with a splash of sparkling water, it’s the perfect drink for brunch, afternoon picnics, or...Read More

Inspired by the vibrant street foods of Pakistan and India, this Garbanzo and Pomegranate Chaat Salad is a celebration of color, texture, and flavor. The earthy warmth of toasted cumin, the sweetness of pomegranate, and the citrusy tang of lime come together in perfect balance. Fresh cucumber, onion, and cilantro add crunch and brightness, while...Read More

This Tuscan Marinara Sauce, known in Italy as Pomarola Toscana, is a rustic tomato sauce that celebrates the pure, sun-ripened sweetness of summer tomatoes. Made with a medley of fresh herbs, vegetables, and olive oil, it’s slow-simmered to coax out depth and richness while preserving the vibrant freshness of the fruit. Perfect for tossing with...Read More

This Rainbow Crunch Slaw is as beautiful as it is delicious — a crisp, colorful mix of farm-fresh vegetables and fruit that brings a burst of texture and brightness to any table. Sweet golden and chioggia beets mingle with jicama, apple, and cabbage for a refreshing crunch, while a drizzle of poppy seed dressing ties...Read More