Some Kinda Good in the Neighborhood

by Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser

Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser is a culinary TV personality, food enthusiast and the author of “Some Kinda Good,” a memoir with recipes. She writes about Southern, coastal cuisine, locally sourced and in-season. Connect with her on social media by liking Some Kinda Good on Facebook, or follow @SKGFoodBlog on Instagram and Twitter. To learn more, visit RebekahLingenfelser.com.

March Brings Springtime and Picnic Weather

The first day of spring is on March 19 and I am excited for it. If you’ve read my articles for any length of time, you know this is my most favorite time of year. The earth literally blooms back to life with azaleas and magnolias at every turn, even the birds seem to tweet a little louder. I immediately start dreaming of boating and laying out on the beach. The Farmers’ Market returns too. The spring season brings so much to look forward to, and along with the pretty, warmer weather, comes an opportunity to picnic.

Also in March, is Savannah’s largest party of the year: St. Patrick’s Day. Themed picnics can be a lot of fun, especially when planned around a holiday. Last spring, I threw a company picnic for my co-workers complete with mini shepherd’s pies, chicken salad in cabbage cups and Irish soda bread with homemade herb butter. We had roasted red pepper hummus served with green and orange strips of bell pepper, and for dessert old fashioned thumbprint cookies filled with green pepper jelly and orange marmalade to mimic the colors of the Irish flag. Fresh fruit skewers with green grapes were also on the menu. What a spread!

I planned the picnic on the day of Savannah’s annual Greening of the Fountain event, and we had a great spot on the grass, right in front of the Forsyth fountain. The food was spread out on a long close-to-the-ground table to showcase my Some Kinda Good St. Patrick’s Day feast. Comfy pillows and blankets helped to make the event extra special. You can get all of the recipes from my company picnic on SomeKindaGood.com, as they are delicious any time of the year.

No matter where you live, there’s bound to be a sunny spot, community park or even a grassy knoll in your own backyard to eat outdoors and enjoy the new season. If you enjoy cooking as much as me, create a festive menu or use the one I provided today. You could even purchase your own picnic items---with a big blanket, you’re set to go! It need not be fancy. Take advantage of springtime, get some fresh air and spend some quality time with friends and family. Good food and good company, that’s what it’s all about!

Some Kinda Good Thumbprint Cookies with Orange Marmalade

2/3 cup granulated sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup of your favorite jam, such as: 1 tsp pure vanilla extract Green Pepper Jelly Orange Marmalade

In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, butter and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add flour and mix until well incorporated, 2 – 3 minutes. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Shape the dough into 1 -inch balls. Place the balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using your thumb, make a small indentation in the center of each cookie, pressing gently until the edges crack slightly. Fill each cookie with 1/4 teaspoon of jam. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool. Enjoy!