Ah, fall. The kids are back in school, the scorching hot days of summer have turned into picture-perfect weather here in the Lowcountry, football is back … and fresh, seasonal fall produce is everywhere. After a summer filled with backyard barbecues and quick dinners on the beach or patio, fall is the perfect time to head back to the kitchen to cook up some old, and new, family favorites, as well as take advantage of the abundance of fresh seasonal produce that can take the comfort foods of fall to a whole new level.

August is prime pear picking time for the sweetest, juiciest, freshest pears of the year. When you taste a perfectly ripe pear and smell its aroma it’s easy to see why this fruit has been prized for thousands of years. As summer begins to ripen into fall the Northwest United States bursts with this flavorful fruit and harvest begins in full force.

Washington and Oregon comprise the nation’s largest pear-producing region, and they produce approximately 88-percent of all fresh pears grown in the United States. The Pear Bureau Northwest is an organization that represents nearly 900 grower families and 50 packers and shippers, all who take pride in their ability to provide top-quality fresh USA Pears for the world market. In order to educate consumers, the organization created www.usapears.org—an online world of pear perfection, which features everything you would ever want to know about pears, including nutrition facts, recipes, tips, harvest, varieties and even takes you behind the scenes with growers.

By the time August rolls around, the blistering summer heat often makes the thought of turning on the oven, or cooking over a hot stove, just about the last thing most people want to do. This year in particular, the record-setting heat throughout the South has encouraged many people to re-think summer meals and seek new ways to get creative and stay cool, while holding on to these last weeks of summer boat rides, crashing waves and family cookouts.

There are so many easy ways to incorporate the fresh foods of summer in your August menu planning and some great ways to get creative while going beyond the typical summer salads—think chicken salad. It’s easier than you think to turn up the flavor without turning up the heat. The key is to keep it simple, keep it fresh – and keep it cool – when it comes to solving that age-old dilemma throughout these dog days of summer: What to make for that poolside or patio lunch, weeknight dinner or end-of-summer backyard get-together when it’s just too hot to cook.

“You’re sweet as a Georgia peach!” It’s a compliment that has been tossed around forever, but did you know there is actually some science behind the incredible flavor and sweetness of Georgia peaches?

A fresh, juicy, sweet Georgia peach is the most flavorful peach you can eat. And that’s no accident. A lot of factors perfectly come together to give Georgia peaches their one-of-a-kind  legendary flavor. Read on to learn all about it.

Whether you’re enjoying some eagerly-awaited time off, or simply basking in the longer, more leisurely days and nights the season brings, summer is all about easy living. Without school and the chaos of after-school activities, the easy living of summer means less commitments, less stress…and, thanks to some simple recipes and cooking techniques, it can also mean less time in the kitchen!

This month, I hope you enjoy three of my favorite summer recipes that bring something special to the table whether you’re serving it as part of a weeknight family dinner, or cooking up bowlfuls to bring to a summer soirée or cookout. My fresh Fruit Salsa brings together the distinct summer tastes of sweet, ripe strawberries and fresh mangos, uniquely mingled with the flavors of avocado, jalapeño, red onion and cilantro. This refreshing salsa is delicious! I recommend taking delightful deep dips of it onto tortilla chips. Plus, everyone will claim a new favorite when you use it as the perfect topping for tacos or grilled fish, or just about anything off of the grill—even chicken will perk up!

Have you ever sat at a Japanese Hibachi table and enviously watched the chef cooking your food? Tossing and scraping on a high heat griddle creates a meal you just can’t seem to recreate at home. Well, let me tell you... I do! Every. Single. Time. Little did I know, there is a great new way we all can do it at home—the Blackstone Griddle! I was thrilled when one of my family members busted out his Blackstone Griddle one night, and now I'm eager to try it myself.

So, what exactly is it? Blackstone Griddle: A flat top made of cold-rolled steel with up to 36” of cooking space. It’s used to cook meat with steakhouse flavor, veggies, pancakes, bacon and a whole lot more. It is used in backyards, at tailgates and campsites, and in the wilderness by people worldwide. The original Blackstone team dreamed of creating the best outdoor cooking experience for large groups or families, where every single dish could be prepared outside.

Sure, everyone thinks of pies when it comes to serving up all-time favorites like warmed apple, creamy pumpkin and classic pecan at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but if you think pies are just for the holidays, think again. Not only do the summer months offer a tremendous variety of fresh flavorful fruits and vegetables that make the perfect pie filling, but a homemade pie can also be a delicious addition to backyard barbecues and picture-perfect picnics.

The best part: Not only do summer pies look (and taste) spectacular, but “the pies of summer” are all fairly easy to make, too. Whether sweet or savory, a unique entrée or a special-occasion dessert, pies are the perfect menu choice for the more relaxed, easygoing days of summer. Another perk of pies? You will spend less time in the kitchen and more time outdoors soaking up the summer sun!

As gardens everywhere are already producing early spring fresh veggies, you’re likely to find me walking around a nursery with a rolling flower cart overflowing with colorful annuals and fresh herbs. Planting an herb garden is something I enjoy each year, but it normally dwindles pretty quickly down to rosemary and basil—the heavy hitters of herbs. But what about the rest of the herbs that seem to constantly be in a death spiral, whether in your garden or the refrigerator? How many times have you looked over a new recipe, and thought, “I have everything but the cilantro; oh well, I‘ll just leave it out.”

Since discovering Gourmet Garden, I’m calling a halt to this behavior. It’s time to bring back your herb game for a home run of deliciousness. A flavor powerhouse, Gourmet Garden has everything to do with fresh flavor—and nothing to do with fuss. Garlic without garlicky fingers. Ginger sans peeling and chopping. Cilantro that lasts up to four weeks in the fridge! All pre-washed, pre-chopped and (shock!) no wilt guilt.

Are you ready to discover the wide variety of tastes and health benefits of mouthwatering fresh tuna? May 2nd is World Tuna Day, which is an official United Nations observance that was instituted in 2016 to raise awareness of the importance of sustainably managed tuna stocks. So, happy World Tuna Day! There’s no better time to think about creative ways to incorporate the light, fresh taste of tuna into your springtime menus.

Tuna, a saltwater fish, is known for being an excellent source of lean protein. In addition, it is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower the risk of heart disease. Tuna is also a reliable source of vitamin B-12, which can help prevent the development of anemia, and vitamin D, which is important for bone health and strengthening the immune system. This lean fish also touts iron, vitamin B6, potassium, selenium and iodine in its health treasure chest. The omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins/minerals in tuna have also been associated with a positive effect on eye health and a reduced risk of cancer. And, when it comes to both eating healthy and losing weight, since tuna is a lean meat that is high in protein and low in calories, it’s known for helping to keep you full—and satisfied—longer.

Domino Sugar isn’t just for desserts, though we must say it can really bake! However, this month we’re here to show you the savory side of sugar. (Don’t worry... we threw in a few sweets, too!)

As Easter approaches, family gatherings, filled with dreams of glazed ham and lamb chops, accompanied by a bounty of side dishes, are foremost in our minds. We all know the tried-and-true dishes, like mac-n-cheese, are bound to make the menu, but this year we suggest making room for a few new favorites, too.

April is a month of many things – including International Black Women’s History Month. In honor of this important month, we are paying tribute to admired chef and cookbook author Edna Lewis – a woman with a remarkable life story who has been referred to as the South’s answer to Julia Child and widely regarded as the person who put Southern cooking on the map in the 20th century.

Known as the “Grande Dame of Southern Cooking” and for teaching the American public to appreciate Southern meals in a new way, Edna Lewis was among the first African American women from the South to pen a cookbook that did not hide the author’s true name, gender or race, according to the National Women’s History Museum. She spent more than 75 years in the culinary world, where she was hailed as an esteemed chef in many popular restaurants. In addition, she published three highly acclaimed cookbooks and won multiple James Beard awards. The granddaughter of an emancipated slave, Edna rose to prominence cooking for celebrities, including Marlon Brando, Marlene Dietrich, Tennessee Williams, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Salvador Dali, Eleanor Roosevelt and Truman Capote. She has also been immortalized by the United States Postal Service on a Forever stamp.

Finally, a miracle has occurred. We’ve found a potato that is both nutritious, delicious and easy-to-prepare—the little Creamer potato! And, no one grows them like The Little Potato Company. They’re bringing this petite, yet powerful, potato to tables across the country and declaring it’s plentiful benefits.

Not your average small potato, Creamers have the unique combination of being naturally buttery tasting, loaded with nutrition, easy to prepare, and having many diverse, colorful and fun varietals. Coveted around the world by leading chefs and foodies, Creamers are a premium Little potato varietal that is typically thin skinned, rich in flavor and highly nutritious. Naturally fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants at only 20 calories each, Creamers can truly be a perfect part of your family’s healthy, balanced diet. And, they come with no cleaning or peeling required!

Ah, finally the much-awaited arrival of spring is here! With longer days, warmer nights and the promise of summer just a short time away, spring brings a bounty of fresh seasonal produce perfect for delicious, flavorful spring dishes. Whether you’re getting ready to celebrate one of spring’s many holidays or events with a big dinner party for family and friends, or just looking to welcome in the warmer weather with some cozy al fresco dining in your own backyard, there are numerous ways to take advantage of the freshness of spring, the season filled with new possibilities.

Juicy, succulent, flavorful and... heart-healthy? Yes, you read that right! There's a clean, lean protein that is flavor-foward, versatile and your new superfood—salmon. And, innovators at Bluehouse Salmon are bringing you fresh, delicious salmon raised right here in the USA.

Their mission is "to raise salmon happy, healthy—and in a way that’s truly sustainable." And to do so, they invented the fish farm of the future. With technology originally created in Denmark, the Bluehouse team innovated and refined on-shore technology that produces delicious salmon sustainably.

Love and food have always been closely linked, and for many people, there is nothing more romantic than delicious food. Often considered a symbol of love, food is a big part of our everyday lives and our romantic relationships. Perhaps nowhere is the link between food and love seen more than during February and the love-filled holiday of Valentine’s Day—known for its signature heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, decadent desserts, and, of course, special dinners to mark the special occasion.

Whether you are cooking a romantic candlelight dinner for two for your sweetheart, or spending a cozy evening in the kitchen cooking together, or simply want to prepare and enjoy a special meal for yourself, there are so many ways to bring the love to your Valentine’s Day meal. And with Italy bursting with love, romance and exquisite cuisine, an Italian-inspired dinner is the perfect choice for what is sure to be a perfect night. Italian food is famous for its flavorful dishes, fresh ingredients and cooking techniques developed across the Italian Peninsula and is considered to be one of the most romantic cuisines in the world.