The warm, breezy weather of June has inspired me to create this light summer luncheon menu, full of produce-rich, seasonal recipes. It features a tart, soup, sorbet palate cleanser, chicken Nicoise salad, and a delectable berry pastry. Bon appetit!

Nicoise Salad Photo: Dumbonyc - Creative Commons - Redistribute with Attribution

Fresh berry season is here and there is nothing better than plump strawberries dipped in crème fraiche and then gently rolled in brown sugar. Make this delicious, tangy homemade crème fraiche recipe in your own kitchen with just two ingredients: heavy cream and buttermilk. Try your creme fraiche with berries, mixed into savory poulet a la creme, or mixed with chopped herbs for an out-of-this-world seasoning garnish. Bon appetit!

Creme Fraiche Photo: Peter Allen

Watermelons are vine-ripe and sweet this time of year. Served fresh and sliced, they're the height of summertime flavor. For a different twist, try this grilled watermelon recipe. The smokiness from the grill added to the intense sweetness of the melon makes it an excellent pick to serve at barbeques. Make sure to check out the creative serving suggestions in the recipe! Bon appetit!

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Grilled Watermelon Photo: ©Meng He

Lavender is one of the hardest ingredients to cook with; the line between under-flavoring or overpowering a dish is thin, indeed. With these easy tips, you'll be cooking sweet and savory lavender recipes like a pro in no time. Bon appetit!

Photo: Flickr user Dark Dwarf - Creative Commons