Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a great week! I’m waking up in Minneapolis this morning. It’s going to be a very special weekend. My daughter Ireland, who’s my youngest is graduating from the University of Minnesota this weekend. I can’t even believe it! Because of everything going on it’s not going to be a normal graduation ceremony but that’s okay. I’m just so excited to be here. We’ve got so much to celebrate! I’m one proud mom! I’ve got my tissues ready. Hoping I don’t cry too many tears of joy. YIKES! My baby is graduating! I promise to share pictures on Facebook and Instagram!

It’s so nice that things are starting to get back to normal. For the first time in more than a year I was in the studio yesterday cooking up some of my favorite summer recipes on Twin Cities Live. I made my my Best Ever Lemon Chicken. It really is the BEST EVER! It's one of my go-to recipes. In the summer I like to make it in a foil pan on the grill. It’s perfect for backyard BBQ’s. I can’t wait for those this summer. I’ve sure missed them!

I’m totally craving a steak on the grill! My Ginger Soy Flank Steak is my FAVE! The marinade makes it. I also love that I can make one big steak for all of us. Just make sure to let it rest 10 minutes or so before you slice it up. And always slice flank steak in thin strips against the grain. It’s tender as all get out. Nice and lean too! Click Dinner for more of my spring and summer faves.

On the side my Cheesy Hash Brown Hot Dish is so good. It’s got a few secret ingredients that make it creamy and extra special. Everybody loves it. You need to make this! Click Casseroles and Sides for more recipes.

I’m a salad girl! Gotta have a salad every night. My Broccoli Bacon Salad and my Strawberry Spinach Salad are always a hit! Trust me, people will be asking for the recipes! Click Salads for more sensational summer salad recipes.

It’s asparagus season. It’s great at the grocery store right now, and it's picking time too. It’s super fun to pick your own! We have a pick-your-own-farm not far from us. So, how do you pick out the perfect bunch, and how do you store it and cook it when you get home? Click Asparagus 101 to read my blog post. If you’re grilling steak, why not grill the asparagus too? My Grilled Asparagus with Bacon and Feta Cheese is so delicious! Everybody goes crazy over it. I promise it will be a hit at your summer cookout!

For dessert it’s strawberry time! If you have a special occasion, why not WOW everybody with my Strawberry Refrigerator Cake? So pretty. Easy too!

No time to bake? No worries! My no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake Trifles are so cute and easy breezy! They're perfect layered in mini trifle dishes, wine glasses, or for summer keep it extra easy and layer it in clear plastic cups! It’s all delicious! Click Desserts for some decadent but super simple dessert recipes!

Order Amy's Cookbooks!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. Lots of secrets, tips and fun stories, too! Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Let’s Celebrate! Join Me for a Party May 25th to Learn about My Upcoming Culinary Trips!

Have you heard I'm hosting amazing culinary vacations? Let’s eat our way around the world together. Join me Tuesday night, May 25th to celebrate the fact that we can start safely traveling again! It’s going to be a fun night! Bring a friend and learn all about my upcoming culinary trips planned for 2022! We’ll meet at 6pm at Cheesecake Heaven in Green Bay. We’ll have free delicious hors d'oeuvres and the full bar will be open to purchase wine and drinks. I’m so excited for a fun night out! It’s been way too long! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 to RSVP by next Wednesday May 20th. You can also email her at: brittany@bonvoyagebt.com

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in January 2022

In January 2022, let’s beat the winter blues and spend a week in one of my favorite cities, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! We’ll stay in a super small, just 80 rooms, 4-diamond luxury beach front resort. All of your gourmet food and wine and top shelf cocktails at the resort are included! Besides the fancy stuff we’ll join local foodies in search of Puerto Vallarta’s freshly made warm tortillas, the ultimate tacos, tamales, amazing fresh seafood, and fabulous cocktails too. It will also be whale watching season during this trip. We are offering a NEW discount of $140 per person! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 to book your spot. It’s filling up quick! Why not treat yourself to a winter getaway you’ll never forget? Click Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta to see pictures and get lots more details.

Ireland in April 2022

Also next year in late April, come with me on an incredible trip to Ireland! This trip is also really booking up! From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, whiskey tasting, a VIP tour of Guinness, and so much more. We’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in a real castle outside of Dublin! We can only take a small group so get your reservation in soon! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot!

To find out more about my trips and what makes them so unique click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

If you want to get on the list for updates and details on all my trips email me at info@thecookingmom.com!

Gotta run! Time to get ready for Ireland's college graduation. We've got a full day! I'm over-the-moon excited! I promise to post pics on Facebook and Instagram. I'm on Twitter, too. Check out my videos on YouTube. Follow me!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom