Strawberry and Blueberry Fruit Salad Recipe (Coupe Fraises Myrtilles)

Berries are in season and we bought delicious flavorful blueberries and strawberries from Rogue Valley Farmers' Market in Ashland, Oregon. I was amazed to discover all the locally grown produce there.

Here's an easy and simple fruit salad I made for a picnic we had in Lithia Park that I wanted to share with you. I took the blueberries and strawberries from the market and served them along with brownies and chantilly (whipped cream). It was a real success, as there were only empty bowls to bring home.

Blueberry Yogurt

We've been trying to eat healthier, so I've started serving blueberry yogurt to Lulu as a late night snack instead of one of my decadent desserts. Blueberries are delicious and packed with antioxidants. Many studies have concluded that a diet high in antioxidant foods prevents heart disease, cancer and reduces blood pressure. I typically serve the yogurt with unsweetened green tea (another antioxidant) mixed with vanilla soy milk.

Sweet Mascarpone and Berries with Lemon Ganache

If you're looking for a fast and easy yet elegant dessert recipe, this one is for you. I usually make this dessert to please my little 9-year-old sister-in-law who is allergic to eggs.

The rich cinnamon-flavored mascarpone mixture with the refreshing combination of blackberries and blueberries makes a very festive sweet treat for little kids and big kids as well.

To give more body to the dessert, I sprinkle a layer of coarsely-crumbled Italian puff pastry and top with a layer of lemon ganache. The result is to die for!

Crostata with Pecan and Blueberry Pie Filling

* The memory card of my camera just crashed and that's the only picture I could recover of the crostata right before getting in the oven.

A crostata is a dessert that is filled with jams or fruits and its sweet crust is folded inward at each edge. It gives the tart a more artisanal, which means rustic in French, and free-form look than other regular pies.

I made the dough with polenta to give it a more crumbly texture and flavored it with star anise. I used fresh ginger and Meyer lemon for the filling in addition to the blueberries.

Cherry and Berry Yogurt Granola Parfait

Granola parfait has the perfect components to start the day: the crunch of the granola, the creaminess of the yogurt and the sweetness of the fruits. Most important, this will keep you full until lunch time.

I've been married for almost five years, and I think that cooking is the best way to say 'I love you'. It might sound sappy but I love seeing my hubby's smile in the morning when I bring him breakfast in bed. Make this for someone special in your life, and I guarantee they will appreciate it.