I know most people are suckers for chocolate on dessert menus, but I've always gravitated towards anything fruit based. Pie, cobbler or tart, I find that Mother Nature's sweets are so much more enticing. That's not to say she can't use a bit of help with certain things, like the humble lime. This beautiful citrus fruit is often a bridesmaid and never a bride, accompanying quesadillas, Coronas and pad thai without ever taking center stage. Well, all that is about to change: welcome to the world of lime curd.

It wasn’t until my 20s that I was first introduced to authentic strawberry shortcake. No pound cake, no fake whipped “topping,” no saccharine strawberry syrup. Instead, old-fashioned strawberry shortcake is made of crumbly, buttery biscuits, fresh whipped cream and whole strawberries. The real deal, needless to say, is a world apart from the stuff most of us had as a kid. Here’s my personal recipe for this dazzling, whole-food summer dessert that’s going to win over both kids and adults with its freshness and ripe berry flavor.