As nature awakens, so does your kitchen with our spring-inspired recipes. Indulge in dishes that celebrate the flavors of renewal, from crisp salads to floral-infused desserts.
Fresh and Vibrant Seasonal Recipes to Delight Your Senses
Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time to enjoy fresh, vibrant seasonal recipes! From light and refreshing salads to hearty pasta dishes, there are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with springtime ingredients.
Here are a few of our favorite spring recipes to delight your senses:
Spring Pea Salad
This salad is packed with fresh spring flavors, thanks to the peas, mint, and feta cheese. It’s the perfect light meal for a warm spring day.
Here is a recipe for a Spring Pea Salad with Radishes:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh peas, shelled
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender. Drain and rinse the peas with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the peas, radishes, mint, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for later.
Tips:
- For a more flavorful salad, you can roast the radishes before adding them to the salad. To do this, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the radishes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
- You can also add other vegetables to this salad, such as chopped carrots, cucumbers, or tomatoes.
- This salad is best served the day it is made, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Lemony Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
This dish is full of bright flavors, thanks to the lemon juice and roasted vegetables. It’s a perfect meal for a special springtime occasion.
Here is a recipe for Lemony Chicken with Roasted Vegetables:
Ingredients:
- 1 (3-4 pound) chicken, preferably a whole chicken, but bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts will also work
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound vegetables of your choice, such as carrots, potatoes, onions, zucchini, bell peppers, and fennel
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the giblets and neck from the chicken cavity. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Cut the lemon halves into thin slices.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. Rub the mixture all over the chicken.
- Place the chicken in a roasting pan. Tuck the lemon slices into the cavity of the chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Arrange the vegetables around the chicken.
- Roast the chicken for 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Serve the chicken with the roasted vegetables.
Tips:
- For a more flavorful chicken, you can marinate the chicken in the olive oil mixture for 30 minutes to 1 hour before roasting.
- You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as tomatoes, eggplant, or mushrooms.
- If you are using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts, you may need to increase the cooking time by 15-20 minutes.
- The chicken and vegetables can be roasted on a sheet pan instead of in a roasting pan.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Falafel Pita Pockets
These falafel pita pockets are a fun and easy way to enjoy a healthy springtime meal. They’re also perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
here is a recipe for Falafel Pita Pockets:
Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Pita breads
- Toppings of your choice, such as hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and tahini sauce
Instructions:
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, mint, breadcrumbs, egg, tahini, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.
- Shape the falafel mixture into small balls or patties.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the falafel in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- To assemble the pita pockets, spread some hummus on the bottom of each pita.
- Top with the falafel, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and tahini sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Tips:
- You can also bake the falafel instead of frying them. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the falafel mixture out on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- For a more flavorful falafel, you can soak the chickpeas overnight before draining them.
- You can also add other vegetables to the falafel mixture, such as carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Serve the falafel pita pockets with your favorite dipping sauces.
Raspberry Pavlova
This light and airy dessert is made with meringue, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Here is a recipe for a classic raspberry pavlova:
Ingredients:
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup (200 grams) caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (500 ml) heavy cream
- 1 pint (300 grams) raspberries
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until the mixture is thick and glossy.
- Whisk in the vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
- Spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet, forming a 10-inch circle.
- Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the meringue is dry and crisp on the outside.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
- To assemble, top the pavlova with the whipped cream and raspberries. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
Tips:
- Make sure your eggs are fresh. Fresh eggs will have more protein, which will help to create a stable meringue.
- Use a clean bowl and beaters. Any grease or residue in the bowl or beaters can prevent the egg whites from forming stiff peaks.
- Avoid humid days. Humidity can make it difficult to get stiff peaks in egg whites. If you’re baking on a humid day, try preheating your oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) and baking the pavlova for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until it is dry and crisp on the outside.
- Don’t open the oven during baking. Opening the oven door will let out heat and moisture, which can prevent the pavlova from setting properly.
- Serve the pavlova immediately after assembling. The pavlova will start to soften as it sits, so it’s best to eat it right away.
Enjoy!
These are just a few of the many delicious spring recipes that are out there. So get creative and experiment with your own favorite springtime ingredients. With so many delicious possibilities, you’re sure to find the perfect springtime recipes to delight your senses.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for cooking with springtime ingredients:
- Look for locally grown produce whenever possible. This will ensure that you’re getting the freshest, most flavorful ingredients.
- Use seasonal herbs and spices to add extra flavor to your dishes.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors and combinations. Spring is a great time to try new things in the kitchen.
Most importantly, have fun with it! Spring is a time for new beginnings, so let your creativity run wild in the kitchen. With so many delicious springtime ingredients to choose from, there’s no limit to what you can create.