Or check out any of the other fresh stratwberry recipes at the end of this post! Enjoy!

Today’s recipe for Cuban-styled Stewed Fish is based on the delicious flavors of Cuba. Thanks to several spice manufacturers, they are blending those flavors into a salt-free mix that is just a grocery store aisle away. For development purposes I used McCormick’s Cuban Spice mix, but online and boutique spice companies have similar blends that are just as delicious. 

Any firm white fish fillet will work and I have terrific results with the individually quick frozen and vacuum packed tilapia in the freezer section. This great grab and go product lets you cook just what you need without waste or unwanted leftovers.

Fresh, summery and bright, the sunny flavors of Cuban-Style Stewed Fish will surely make you smile in delight.

As for the latter, I can indulge in my perfect pair in many different ways: in an omelet, on pizza, atop a salad, holding their own as main and side or as in today’s recipe – tossed in a zippy pasta dish. Before you yawn and pass by “just another pasta toss” – know there is nothing boring about Spicy Ham and Asparagus Pasta Toss thanks to the red pepper and hearty garlic infused oil and butter “sauce.” Combined with the bright fresh flavors of spring asparagus and nibbles of the season’s best smoked ham – no wonder it is a flavor pair that you’ll want to celebrate.

Ham and asparagus is my perennial spring flavor pair. Log onto kitchenscoop.com and leave your favorite pair in the comments section of this column. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Suggested Menu
Spicy Ham and Asparagus Pasta Toss
Sliced fresh melon and berries
Warmed baguette with butter

Today’s recipe is one of those successful events. Merry brought to group what she called a chicken macaroni salad.  It reminded me of a combination of chicken salad, macaroni salad and potato salad dressing and fixings, hold the potatoes. I made a mental note that it was heavy on the black pepper and not too much pickle. Celery was present, too, but not overpowering. Merry used macaroni, but I wanted a slight bit more pasta presence, so I choose gemini. I used leftover grilled chicken breasts, but any cooked chicken would be delicious. I decided to go almost half and half on the mayo and mustard to save a few calories, plus I adore the flavor of Dijon mustard in my cold salads.

In just twenty minutes a new creation was born. While it’s not exactly Merry’s recipe, I’m giving her credit because her creativity is what inspired it all. For those of us who need directions (me!) and measurements are helpful, I’ve broken it down into an easy to use, predictable recipe.

I hope you and your friends and family enjoy it as much as I do!

Suggested Menu:
Merry’s Cold Chicken Pasta Salad
Baby spinach leaves
Sliced tomatoes
Red Zinger Iced tea

Just like an old fashioned barn raising, they allowed us to help raise the first wall! What an amazing morning!

When I finally sold the house I shared with my ex-husband in 2010, I swore I'd never own a home with someone who could leave me again. And yet I find myself building a house with my mom. Granted she could leave, but I think at 74 years old she's probably pretty predictable. And seeing that she stuck by my side through the worst years of my life, praying and loving me back to existence, she's trustworthy too.

When we first started kicking the idea of pooling our resources, she was considering moving and I had already moved to Wilmington. Since she visited often, she came to love the area as much as I did. As she ages, I selfishly want her close enough to me that I can go to doctor's appointments, encourage her to eat well and just hang out with her.

I had been renting a converted apartment in a historic house within walking distance of the Cape Fear River and we both fell in love the beautiful Historic District in Wilmington, NC. We decided to focus our search for a home to share in Downtown. What became obvious very quickly is that owning a Historic Home is an investment of time and passion. Restoration is a weekly project keeping these old majestic houses in working order.

Mom finally admitted that her own upkeep as an "old" woman was enough and so she wanted to live in a new house. "I'm old, I don't want to live in an old house," she boldly realized. And for me I realized the kitchen I wanted and needed for my work would be better freshly built instead of shoe-horned into an existing home.

So luckily we found a "double lot" on Front Street that had been cleared and empty for years. The views of the Cape Fear River at the end of our street and the sunsets already promise beauty beyond our imagination. And a builder who knows the in's and out's of building in a restricted Historic District. We are well on our way!

There was a time a couple years ago when I should have worn a sign like this around my neck. I was emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually under construction. And because of the fear at the rate everything was changing, I was loathed to be around others. It was a deep-seeded fear that somehow my junk would poison them too.

It was a lonely, depressing place.

Thankfully I was surrounded by people who wouldn't let me sink any deeper than I had already gone and they helped me find the therapy and program I needed to begin to rebuild my life. Just like building house from the ground up, I've been building my life back since my devastating divorce.

So beginning today I'll be adding regularly to two new blog categories on Kitchen Scoop - Life Scoop which will trace my journey back to a full and abundant life and Hometown Scoop which will follow the building of my new home and my discovery of my new hometown.

As always, I love your feedback and ask that you join the conversation with respect to all involved.

Looking forward to the days ahead....

Alicia

When I go to a Thai-inspired restaurant, the first two dishes I will try are Basil Leaves Stir-fry and Pad Thai. I know, not very imaginative, but honestly if they can't make a good version of these two classics, am I going to trust them to anything else?

So my first visit to Big Thai 2 in Wilmington, NC did not disappoint with lunch-size portions of my two must-haves.

I found the ambiance and service to also be pleasing and made plans to return within a week. My second visit was with a large party of 8 and once again, the staff and food at Big Thai 2 did not disaapoint. I understand there used to be a location downtown (may Big Thai 1?) before I moved to town. Although I have no idea why it closed, I am sad Big Thai is not in my neighborhood any longer. But I'll definitely make the drive to Military Cut-off when I have a Thai craving from now on!

Rick Herron

Thanks Rick. I think Betty and your mom, just made a bunch of new friends with this cake!