Cheese

Baking a salad might make you nervous, but a quick moment in the oven will only wilt the greens slightly and yet melt the cheese so that it cloaks the greens nicely.

These simple spring hand-pies are packed to the brim with tangy sweetened rhubarb. Pack them along, cooled, for a picnic or serve them warm with equally tangy buttermilk-lemon granita.

This so-good-you-won't-believe-it's-healthy pie is covered in pesto and cheese and topped with a veritable salad of peas, crisp asparagus ribbons, zucchini, leeks, and watercress.

Adding peas to a carbonara is by no means classically Italian, though the combination of black pepper, pancetta, and peas is. Instead of (or in addition to) the peas, you could use asparagus or thinly sliced sugar snap peas.

This lightning-fast version of the classic spring pasta calls for just the right amount of water that magically cooks down to create a silky sauce, no draining necessary.

To prevent cut artichokes from browning, work with 1 artichoke at a time and lightly toss it in the lemon dressing as you go.

Here, lush summer raspberries are framed by a rich crust and a cool, creamy layer that underlines their tart juiciness. A drizzling of warm lavender honey draws out a luxurious floral sweetness—put out the extra honey in a crock so everyone can add as much or as little as they like.

Any sharp, salty cheese will work in this dip; try Pecorino or feta.

Guanciale, a type of Italian bacon, and ramps, an early-spring green onion, make this pasta unforgettable—but if you can't find them, pancetta and scallions will work too.

By baking the eggs and toppings in a jelly roll pan, you can then roll it all up into a tight spiral, slice it into portions, and share. It’s very easy, and looks pretty fancy, too.

Three levels of flavor-building means this customizable pork dinner can easily go from simple to next level.

Make this dish before you do any cooked asparagus dishes, at the start of the season when you get pristine spears. At first glance, the dish looks kind of “meh,” but once you taste it, the flavor and texture blow you away. Be sure to cut the asparagus very thin.