Lori Borgman

The White House

Daffodils

Vintage containers always suit the look of daffodils. (Courtesy iBulb.org/MCT)

Granola

Granola rounds are soft and chewy due to quick-cooking oatmeal. (Sharon K. Ghag/Modesto Bee/MCT)

Stencils

Stenciling has become bolder and more of a statement. This Springtime in Paris Letter stencil is by Royal Design Studio. (Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

Leather

Recycled leather from EcoDomo, embossed in a crocodile design, is used to cover a door. (EcoDomo/MCT)

Leather

Top stitching adds richness to a recycled leather wall created by EcoDomo. (EcoDomo/MCT)

Leather

The living room of this Costa Rican condominium has a recycled leather floor from EcoDomo. (EcoDomo/MCT)

Spinach Stracciatella Soup

Spinach stracciatella soup is a quick, dinner offering with minimal ingredients. (Ellise Pierce/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Chicken tinga

Chicken tinga is a spin on tacos that is quick and the whole family will enjoy. (Ellise Pierce/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Dried beans

The Chick Pea Stew is topped with lemon wedges and drained yogurt. (Juli Leonard/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

Egg rolls

Fanny Go's egg roll is served at her home in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

cauliflower recipes

Top chefs offer a few helpful tips on developing flavor in the sometimes disrespected vegetable, the cauliflower. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

pear recipes

Pears can be used in breads, chips, salsa, and pies. Here, pear bread with chunks of pears. (Debbie Noda/Modesto Bee/MCT)

Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini can create a variety of tasty summertime dishes like Zucchini Fritters. (Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

CHICKEN SAUSAGE

Chicken sausage is joining the many varities already in the supermarket, and is a fast growing product. (Jarrad Henderson/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

Corn recipes

One small jalapeno adds spice to this corn, shiitake and bacon salsa. (Joe Bonwich/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT)

Peter Goldmark: Wrestling the ‘what to do’ economy

Peter Goldmark, of Newsday, is a new MCT op-ed columnist. (MCT)

Scone simplicity: With few ingredients that are easily put together, forget the mixes and bakery kind

Scones are one of the basic pleasures in life.

Make-ahead breakfasts families can enjoy

A new way to try eggs is by baking them. (Joan Barnett Lee/Modesto Bee/MCT)

In winter, pick fruit from the freezer

A classic French dessert, cherry clafoutis, is easy to make with frozen cherries. (Michael Gross/Newsday/MCT)

All chocolate, all the time

Chocolate desserts make Valentine•s Day a little sweeter. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

For God and country

A wooden cross replaces the usual rifle in a memorial to Army Chaplain Cpt. Dale Goetz, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Pretzel bread

While the innards of a sandwich naturally get the most attention, stacking them inside a strikingly contrasted pretzel bun doubles the pleasure. (Tom Wallace/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

Surviving drive-ins

Heidi Mules and Gary Katzer watch a documentary about the history of drive-ins with their Chiweenie named Trixie on a queen-size airbed and couch set up behind their car at the Harvest Moon Twin Drive In Movie Theatre in Gibson City, Ill., on April 28.