It's no secret that I'm an Eastern North Carolina girl. I was raised eating vinegar and pepper pork barbecue, fried cornsticks and chicken dumplings. But, I was also lucky to live close enough to the coast to make frequent road trips to Morehead, the Outer Banks and Beaufort – pronounced “Bow-fert.”

By Debbi Covington, Everyday Gourmet

I had been reading Pat Conroy's cookbook, The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of My Life, when our telephone rang. Pat's sister-in-law, Terrye, was on the line with a request (actually, bestowing an honor) from the Conroy family for me to cater Pat's funeral reception at the Yacht Club on Tuesday afternoon.

Don't you just love the sunshine? I'm totally solar powered. I have to admit, I've been feeling a bit anti-social during the past few cold and dark winter months. And, I've been spending too much time at home eating my favorite comfort foods. Warm and bright days have been so good for my psyche and I'm feeling inspired again. This week I'm sharing three of my favorite (and delicious) slim-down salad recipes. Soon we'll be able to buy fresh spring and summer vegetables locally. Isn't it wonderful?