"New Day Northwest"

PCC Chef Lynne Vea says, "This tart is the perfect way to usher in spring! The jade green asparagus cook up gold tinged and tender, nestled in their bed of flaky pastry and creamy goat cheese. A spark of prosciutto and fresh thyme leaves finish the presentation beautifully!"

Check out our selection of quinoa salad recipes.

There are numerous variations on the theme of good ol’ banana cream pie. You certainly can use a prebaked pastry crust, perhaps sprinkled with crushed brittle or chopped peanuts, or your favorite cookie-crumb-style crust. You can make the filling from scratch or use an excellent vanilla pudding mix. The key is to create a decadent, cool, silky environment for really great organic bananas.

This recipe from my grandmother’s ever-bountiful kitchen really ups the wow factor with the addition of peanut brittle or roasted peanuts in the crust and as a garnish, and a smoky bourbon caramel sauce for drizzling each slice. Yum!

I adore shrimp tacos! The flavors are fresh, vibrant and, if you choose, fiery. My version takes advantage of easy yet stellar ingredients, which we do very well here at PCC: sweet, bright American shrimp; whole coriander; colorful organic produce; and locally milled masa harina (yellow corn flour) for traditional, steaming-hot tortillas. Succulent, healthy and beautiful! Hmmm, what could be better than that?

Learn more:

• Shrimp: deliciously versatile

Whether you are creating a romantic environment for two or a festive party for a group, this recipe comes together in a flash and never fails to please! To simplify the process even further, you may make the fondue ahead of time, store it in the fridge and heat it gently just before serving. For maximum impact, offer a mix of tart-sweet apples, creamy potatoes and bright veggies in addition to the quintessential artisanal bread!

Additional cheese information:

• Artisanal flagship cheeses
• Arrange a tempting cheese tray

Living in Western Washington can make us feel spoiled with all the fresh, local and sustainable fish we have — and salmon is an iconic favorite. Today we cooked up some amazing smoked salmon recipes with Eli Penberthy, Public Affairs Specialist at PCC Natural Markets.

Recipes:

• PCC Sockeye Classic Lox with Bagels, Dill and Capers
• Alehouse Pepper Smoked Salmon Linguine with Basil, Spinach, Kalamatas and Chèvre

Our PCC Deli Black Bean Hummus is made from scratch using delicious ingredients like healthy black beans, sesame tahini, tamari and balsamic vinegar. The flavor is complex and zesty and makes the perfect base for these incredibly simple and nutrient-rich pizzas.

The combination of spicy chèvre and nutty Manchego is perfect with the caramelized shallots and the sweet bits of dried mango. Our Vicolo pizza crusts were developed in the kitchen of a neighborhood restaurant in San Francisco by the same name and are still made to traditional standards.

Take a free Walk, Talk and Taste Class and learn more about healthy foods.

Recipes:

• Pistachio and Lemongrass Gyro Skewers with Spicy Pomegranate Dipping Sauce
• Puff Pastry Canapés with Blue Cheese and Pears

View recipe »

Learn:

• Find more homemade gift ideas
• Search our bulk database
• Watch our video — Bulk shopping: Easy tips and tricks
• PCC Cooks, cooking classes for all ages and tastes

Recipe: Leftover Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Puff Pastry Turnovers

More: Creative ideas with turkey leftovers