Apples are ready to take over from the fruits of summer. And they will be welcome. Includes recipe for Apple and Pork Stir-fry with Ginger.

In many cuisines, lamb is a traditional way to welcome spring. Middle Eastern cooking in particular is partial to lamb in many forms. It is a common ingredient in the rice pilafs that originated in that part of the world more than 700 years ago.

Some food fads seem to come straight from appliance makers determined to clutter up our kitchen counters. Currently, the hot new gadget is the sandwich grill or panini press. Similar to the waffle iron, some versions produce a crisp, thin-toasted sandwich that can be addictive.

New England clambakes are romanticized, and fiddlehead ferns show up in a growing number of supermarkets each spring, but most cooks prefer to serve baked beans from a can than to even consider making them from scratch.

St. Patrick's Day is a good excuse for the wearing of the green on your dinner plate. The color that represents Ireland, the shamrock and spring is also the color that represents good health.

Thanks to the fourth Earl of Sandwich, the English get credit for inventing this now international favorite. We must also thank our British forefathers for bringing sandwiches to the Colonies, where we proceeded to perfect this efficient and handy creation.