It is time to put away the slow cooker and all of your hearty and comforting winter recipes. Now is the time to start thinking about your spring meal rotation and how you are going to lean into the best flavors of the season to create dishes that make the most of this time of year. Here are 10 of the best recipes to try this spring if you are looking to harness the flavors of the in-season produce and eat a little lighter heading into the summer.
Soba Noodle and Shrimp Bowls: Looking to lighten up after a winter of heavy comfort food? Try
this flavorful soba noodle and shrimp bowl recipe. You do not need to lean on your favorite Japanese carryout restaurant to enjoy these flavors at home. The earthy taste of the soba noodles are a great complement to the shrimp. The addition of snow peas and carrots add in nutritious antioxidants, making this a complete meal. The dressing combines rice vinegar, chili sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a nice balance of flavors.
Mixed New Potato Salad with Basil: New potatoes begin to make their appearance during the early spring weeks, making them a great centerpiece for your seasonal table. This mixed new potato salad with basil is a wonderful spring side dish with its creamy dressing and crisp shallots. If you cannot find new potatoes in your market, you can substitute with any type of small potato. This is a great side dish option for your first barbecue of the season.
Simple Tomato Panzanella Salad: Nothing screams spring quite like this mouth-watering tomato panzanella salad. The salad combines Italian bread with fresh garden tomatoes, basil, and shallots with a tangy dressing to bring it all together. You can also choose to add mozzarella cheese for an additional layer of flavor. You will enjoy the best results if you use bread that is slightly stale. Toasting the bread will also ensure that it does not become too soggy under the weight of the dressing. It is also important to let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes prior to serving so that it soaks up all of the wonderful flavors.
Mediterranean Quinoa: Quinoa has exploded in popularity lately, largely due to its high protein and fiber levels. The grain is also highly versatile as it takes on the flavors of the food it is paired with. This Mediterranean quinoa recipe is the perfect example of that. Along with the cornerstone quinoa, the recipe also includes chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, basil, kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, and basil. This is all topped with a zesty lemon oregano dressing. Serve this quinoa salad with a loaf of crusty bread with an olive oil dipping sauce.
Tagliatelle with Prosciutto and Peas: Peas are another great produce item widely available in the spring. This tagliatelle with prosciutto and peas uses up this vegetable in an inventive way. The addition of sage adds a unique flavor to the pasta dish. This pasta makes a great complement to the tomato panzanella salad. Serve it all with a crisp white wine for an elegant yet simple spring meal.
Spring Minestrone Soup: Just because the weather is getting warmer, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy a nice bowl of soup. This spring minestrone soup leans on the best produce of the season to create a light soup that celebrates the arrival of warmer temperatures. Ingredients in this soup include peas, baby potatoes, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, asparagus, and assorted greens. The pesto and parmesan add a little zing to the vegetables. This soup pairs well with a garden salad or a slice of garlic bread.
Poached Salmon with Artichoke Confit: This poached salmon and artichoke confit recipe is heavy on flavor but low in fat. Both the salmon and the artichokes are poached in a liquid broth that is infused with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. Fava beans, green olives, and pea shoots round out the entree. Regardless of if you are hosting a group or enjoying a quiet dinner at home, this colorful dish is a spectacular addition to your spring dinner table.
Steamed Artichokes with Garlic Lemon Butter: Many people shy away from using fresh artichokes because they are intimidated by the cooking process. This recipe for steamed artichokes with garlic lemon butter takes the guesswork out of the preparation so that you can enjoy one of the best produce offerings of the spring. Your taste buds will delight in the garlic lemon butter dipping sauce.
Strawberry Basil Shortcake: The only thing that you need to round out your spring menu is a seasonal dessert. This strawberry basil shortcake recipe will make everyone happy. You can elevate your traditional strawberry shortcake recipe with the addition of fresh basil leaves. This recipe is an excellent way to harness some of the best tastes of the late spring months by using both strawberries and basil.
All of these spring superstars deserve a spot in your menu rotation in the coming months. Do not miss out on this chance to take advantage of some of the freshest and most flavorful produce offerings of the year with these 10 recipe ideas.
