Fresh herbs overflow in the garden and at farmers markets in most of the country at this time of year. My 3-year-old granddaughter eats them by the handful straight from her garden. I prefer to scatter them with abandon over salads, roasted vegetables, rice bowls and anything from the grill. This season, I’m whirling a…

This salad is perched between winter and spring, with arugula’s peppery hot notes tamed by slices of tart apple and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Walnuts are a perfect complement to arugula and add a pleasant crunchy note. I shower the salad with ricotta salata, aged ricotta. The smoked variety is typical of the Veneto…

Tortellini with cream and prosciutto, bow-tie pasta with crab meat, pennette with vodka and salmon, beef filet with green pepper, veal escalopes with mushrooms, mayonnaise and gelatin, arugula always and everywhere. When I think of food in Italy the ’80s, these are the first images to come to mind. I am an ’80s girl through and…

To make this pesto, all you need is a bunch of arugula, some excellent extra virgin olive oil (even better if delicately peppery, to match arugula’s bite), walnuts, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. As you can see, this is a very short list of ingredients, but make sure to choose good quality ones. Read the recipe…