Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!
Join me every month as I round up the little joys that sparked inspiration, from must-make recipes and Mom-approved grocery finds to favorite products in kitchenware, skincare, fashion and beyond. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite of life at Just a Taste—no gatekeeping, just good taste.
April brought a bright push toward longer days, some palm-scented breezes and a handful of moments that reminded me how much I love a month that feels like a fresh page. In every sense of the word, the month of April was a fully fresh page… and I have never felt better!
Despite starting fresh in so many ways, I still find myself a multitasking mama, balancing work with after-school activities (and a Diet Coke in hand at all times, of course). Here’s what stood out this month, through the lens of our everyday with a sprinkle of ballpark dirt and a lot of kid chatter.
México Mágico
We swapped screens for shorelines and traded routines for sunrises for the kids’ spring break, spent on the beaches of Cabo—our happiest place! Our days were a mix of sandy footpaths, pool toys and late lunches with bottomless bowls of guacamole.
My crew had the time of their lives and were sufficiently waterlogged and sun-kissed upon our return home. The older they get (now ages 3, 5, 8 and 9), the easier life’s logistics become. Vacations are becoming more like actual vacations, and less like trips, which I know all parents can relate to!
Fleurette FTW
There are few things I enjoy more than a bright, new addition to the San Diego restaurant scene. It’s safe to say that Fleurette, under the guidance of Executive Chef and owner Travis Swikard (of Callie fame), has quickly become my most favorite dining spot in southern California.
The menu celebrates classic French technique with a modern twist, and while it’s impossible to go wrong with a single dish, I’ve quickly found my favorites:
Starters:
- “Ham & Cheese”: crispy gougères, cornichon, 24-month Prosciutto di Parma, gruyère and black truffle fonduta
- Beets à la “Fleurette”: fromage blanc, pistachios, orange blossom and honey dressing
- Salad Tropezienne: raw artichoke, celery, fennel, lemon vinaigrette
Pasta:
- Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnocchi: sugar snap peas, morel mushrooms, vermouth butter
Mains:
- Wagyu Beef Filet Mignon: wild leeks, green peppercorn, olive oil and red wine jus
- Herb-Roasted Golden Chicken: lemon, confit garlic, natural jus
The list could go on and on… and on. No matter what you order, the French flavors are bright, refined and deeply comforting, inviting you to linger over every savory bite. Fleurette is a San Diego dining scene rare gem, serving up cuisine that’s equal parts impressive and approachable.
Bolognese at the Ballpark
Opposite of the refinement and relaxation that Fleurette offers, we have my current weekday menu: bolognese at the ballpark. Homemade SpaghettiOs made their Just a Taste debut, and it was out of sheer necessity. I couldn’t stand another “dinner” of concession stand nachos, sunflower seeds and Big League Chew, so I started packing more meaningful meals whenever I could.
Bolognese is always a win, and Mia paired hers with a side of ketchup, of course. (Two-thirds of her body is composed of ketchup. Heinz, you know where to find me.) Eagle-eyed viewers will spot said Bolognese inside and on my bag. So while I gave myself an A+ for nutrition and effort, I fell solidly in the “D to F” range for packaging. The good news is we have 457 more games coming up, so I’ll have plenty of time to practice my packing.
Weeknight Dinners
With so many nights spent at the ballpark, dinners at home have become more rare (at least those that occur at a normal time). I’ve realized very quickly that with kids’ sports, there’s no such thing as a 6pm dinner any more. We either eat at 4pm or 8pm.
Regardless of what time it is, I want to make weeknight meals count, so I’ve been leaning heavily on two of the most popular recipes in the family rotation:
Both mains pair perfectly with the Creamy Coconut Rice, which makes an appearance at least twice a week. Toss in a few veggies (Garlicky Green Beans get my vote) and a quick dinner-in-a-bowl is done. And I read somewhere recently that bowls are the casseroles of the millennial generation. I could not agree more!
Coming Up!
April felt like a month of small, meaningful routines: a beachy breath, a new favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, and the steady pace of youth sports that somehow makes our weeks feel both full and connected.
We’ve already started rolling out recipes to celebrate the end of spring and the start of all things summer, from Pimento Cheese Pasta Salad and Garlic Butter Chicken to Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins and Easy Lemon Bars.
What recipes are you most looking forward to whipping up this summer? Leave your requests below or email me your summer recipe wishlist!
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