Lemon Ginger Kiwi

Kiwi is such a beautiful green fruit and is bountiful at Costco right now. Of course, purchasing kiwi in a 4 pound box limits your ability to purchase only ripe, sweeter ones. We are fans of adding a little honey, lemon and ginger to compliment the sweet-tartness of this powerhouse fruit. Not only are kiwi pretty, adding a bit of the tropical to our kitchen, they have nearly 300% of the rda of vitamin c, 89% vitamin k, 21% fiber and are about 100 calories each. In addition, they are only about an 8 on the glycemic index (before the addition of honey). Plus they are just so pretty, which rates high on my happy index.

8-10 kiwis, peeled and sliced

2-3 tbls honey (depending on how tart the fruit is), warmed to liquid

1/2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated

juice from half a lemon

• Slice kiwis into a bowl
• In a smaller bowl add warmed honey
• Grate ginger with a microplane or small-holed cheese grater right over the honey to catch any juice
• Squeeze half a lemon into the honey bowl, removing any seeds
• Mix honey-ginger mixture and stir into kiwi bowl

Scalloped Ham and Potatoes with Goat Cheese

Food and Holidays go so well together, and Easter is no exception. Ham and asparagus are always on the menu at our home. Most hams contain sulfites, dextrose and other undesirable ingredients. Luckily, Whole Foods and other natural food grocers carry more alternatives to mass-produced, chemically-stuffed, inhumanely treated little piggies. Niman Ranch is just the kind of rancher who pays careful attention to the environment as well as the health of the animals and those who eat them. One taste of a Niman Ranch ham and you will know quality.

1-1 1/2 cups ham, diced
2 pounds potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp butter or ghee
2 cups chicken broth, warmed
4-6 ounce goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste

• Saute onion in butter over med-low heat until soft but not brown
• Stir potatoes into butter and onion mixture
• In a buttered 2 quart baking dish, layer half of the potatoes then half of the ham. Repeat layers again.
• In a blender mix the chicken broth and goat cheese. Pour over the layered ham and potatoes.
• Cover and bake at 375 degrees for half an hour. Uncover and bake for 25 more minutes or when potatoes are fork tender.