What to make in May
5 years in an RV + 8 recipes for a delicious month
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On April 23, 2020, Steve and I got in the truck and drove from our home in Brighton, Colorado to Katy, Texas to pick up a 43-foot 5th wheel that would become our new home.
We had closed on our house of 16 years the day before and, I’ll admit, I was swinging between what the hell have you done and giddy excitement.
It was early Covid and the highways were eerily empty as we drove across the country. We stopped for the night at a Hampton in Dallas and were the only guests in the entire hotel.
The next morning I came downstairs in search of coffee to find the two staff members playing cards at at one of the breakfast tables. They both jumped up at the sight of me, happy to finally be able to do something for one of the two guests they had stayed up all night for.
We picked up the RV the next afternoon having never spent even one night in any kind of a camper in our whole lives. Did we know how to hitch a 43-foot trailer to our truck? Nope. Had we ever hauled anything anywhere? Nope.
The dealer was less than helpful, and didn’t hitch the trailer to the truck correctly, so we pulled our new home two blocks down the road into a Walmart parking lot where Steve watched YouTube videos about how to hitch a 5th wheel.
Our first campground was only about 45 minutes away and that drive was both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. We told the campground host that we had no idea what we were doing and he helped us park and generously offered a few nuggets of advice.
We opened everything up and face-timed our kids and our parents to show it off. I made us dinner in my new kitchen and opened a bottle of champagne. We had brought a couple of camp chairs with us and we sat outside on our new deck, all the awnings open and all the lights on, and …. how do I describe the energy of that night?
In the midst of the whole world shutting down in response to a terrifying virus, we felt like we had just sprouted wings. We were 6 days away from the worst days of our lives, but if I could go back in time I wouldn’t tell my past self what was coming for her. I wouldn’t want to do anything to ruin that night.
So here we are 5 years later, having just completed a major renovation (you can see before and after photos here!), and it somehow feels fresh and new again. People often ask us how long we are going to live this way and our answer is always the same: Until they have to move us into assisted living.
This is said somewhat tongue-in-cheek. It is possible that at some point we just won’t want to do it anymore. But, I think we’re a long way away from that day.
Earlier this week, we were invited to the home of a Lost Supper Club member for a neighborhood cocktail party. There we were, on a random Wednesday evening, in a beautiful home in Santa Fe, sipping cocktails with strangers who were quickly becoming friends. The past 5 years are full of such experiences and that is reason enough to continue this journey.
Earlier this week, I taught a live streaming class about how to make homemade flour tortillas and was just pleased as punch that so many of you made them right along with me.
If you missed it, here’s the replay!
Homemade flour tortillas are shockingly better than anything you can purchase in the store and, as you’ll see in this video, they are surprisingly easy to make.
8 recipes to make in May
The rest of this issue is devoted to 8 recipes that will, I hope, make your May more delicious.
Maybe it’s because May includes mother’s day AND my mother’s birthday AND my brother’s birthday AND our youngest daughter’s birthday, or maybe it’s just because I’m really, really ready for spring, but I feel like this is a good month for a true showstopper dessert, so don’t miss the eight layer cake at the end.
But also, there’s pistachio Napoleon and cherry pie, and because one cannot live on dessert alone, roasted pork, and artichoke chicken casserole, and the best steak sandwiches in the history of ever. Seriously.
I’ll see you next week with new recipes and new friends from New Mexico!
xo
1. Pistachio Napoleon
For any of you wishing to seriously spoil the women in your life this Mother’s Day, this pistachio napoleon will do the trick. And also, I want to say that if YOU are one of the women in your life, make this for yourself and share it only if you like.
Get the recipe: Pistachio Napoleon
2. Creamy White Bean Pasta
This recipe was loosely inspired by a plate of cacio de pepe that I had earlier this year in Palm Springs at a restaurant called Guiseppe’s.
I wanted to create something similar - a creamy sauce that would enhance the flavor of the pasta while also letting it be the star of the show - but, lighter, and with more protein and fiber. Instead of butter and cheese, I turned to white beans which are pureed in a blender then mixed with garlic, sage, and olive oil for a gorgeously simple sauce that tastes rich and comforting.
Get the recipe: Creamy White Bean Pasta
3. Sweet Cherry Crumb Pie
It’s cherry season and that means I’ll be making at least one of these pies this month to celebrate. The pie takes full advantage of the plump, juicy, sweet cherries that are available in grocery stores and farmer's markets all summer long.
Baked in a flaky pie crust and topped with brown sugar crumbs that are tender and crunchy all at the same time, this just might be my favorite summer fruit pie.
Get the recipe: Sweet Cherry Crumb Pie
—>For all of you cherry lovers, we also have these Cherry Crumble Bars
4. Roast Pork Tenderloin with Red Wine Cherry Sauce
Speaking of cherry season… This simple roasted pork tenderloin is tender and juicy, and covered in red wine cherry sauce.
It's one of those quick and easy recipes that's both elegant and basic, simple enough for a causal weeknight meal and gorgeous enough for a dinner party.
Get the recipe: Roast Pork Tenderloin with Red Wine Cherry Sauce
5. Blueberry Lemon Muffins
I’ve been making these delicious little treats for many, many years. They have a soft, cake-like texture flavored with lemon and vanilla, packed with blueberries, topped with buttery crumbs, and a tart lemon glaze.
The first time I made them, our daughter Kate said, “I want to build a shrine and worship these muffins they are so good." 😂
With an endorsement like that I think you kind of have to make them.
Get the recipe: Blueberry Lemon Muffins
6. Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole
This casserole is everything we love about artichoke dip BUT a bit less rich and with plenty of cheese, tons of fresh spinach, and chicken of course. Plus a buttery, crispy layer of panko.
So I ask you: How can you go wrong when dinner is a creamy, cheesy combo of chicken, spinach, and artichokes all in one crispy panko covered dish?
You can’t.
Get the recipe: Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole
7. Chimichurri Steak Sandwiches
Let me break this bad boy down for you: Thin slices of perfectly seared filet mignon on a toasted French roll smeared with garlic aioli, topped with chimichurri sauce and melted provolone.
My daughter and I made these sloppy two-handed sandwiches for my birthday celebration in March and there was not a crumb left on anyone’s plate. 😋
Get the recipe: Chimichurri Steak Sandwiches
8. 8-Layer Lemon Cake with Blackberry Italian Meringue Buttercream
This cake boasts 8 buttery layers of yellow cake doused in Limoncello, separated with lemon curd, and covered in a thick layer of Blackberry Italian Meringue Buttercream. It’s spring on a plate, I tell you, and while it does take some time, it’s one of those cakes that looks more difficult to make than it actually is.
Get the recipe: Lemon Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
See you next week, friends!
—> For past issues and recipes, scroll through the archives or the recipe indexes - 2024 recipe index, 2025 recipe index.
That creamy bean pasta sounds fab!
Inspiring as always❤️.