Spring is a time for so many wonderful things. Flowers are in bloom. The warm weather means nature’s bounty is ready for your enthusiastic appreciation. This is harvest season for so many terrific vegetables. Bring tender seasonal vegetables to your table with these easy recipes. From side dishes to main courses, this is one way to embrace the sweet and delicious glory that is the best of spring.
Start Your Day Right
Breakfast is a very important meal. You want to get your day off on right foot. A large helping of vegetables is the ideal way to get there. There are many breakfast recipes that make full use of spring vegetables. You’ll find lots of possibilities just waiting for your entire family to savor. Many can even made well in advance. That is a great way to get on your way quickly with the nutrition you need to power your day.
Read More »If you want to keep it a bit lighter for your first meal of the day, this recipe for Simple Goat Cheese and Egg Toasts with Fresh Peas and Dill is prefect. Eggy toasts have the protein you need. Use whole wheat bread to for fiber. The toasts are topped with fried eggs but you can also go for scrambled eggs if that’s why you like better. Then you add in fresh peas. They are quickly boiled. That makes them an appealing bright green and locks in the fresh flavor. It all comes together with some fresh dill.
A hash is another fantastic option for spring. Martha Stewart has the answer. Her Spring Vegetable Hash with Fried Eggs is one way to use up your extra spring vegetables. Red potatoes form the basis of her hash. Then it’s topped with lots of things including fried eggs, onions, red pepper, carrots and asparagus. Herbs like rosemary amp up the flavor and make this one to enjoy with a nice cup of coffee early in the morning. Make this early in the morning or beforehand and then leave it for the next day. That makes it easy to get the breakfast you want no matter what you’re doing.
Great Snacks
You’ll want a pick me up as the day continues. Now is the ideal time to turn to vegetables again. Spring vegetables are the perfect thing for a snack. Unlike some other possibilities, vegetables offer nutrition as well as taste. This is a much better alternative. You can make lots of veggie snacks at home. That’s a great way to keep something healthy on hand. It’s also an ideal thing to bring with you to work every day when you feel that morning slump.
Asparagus is one of those vegetables that says spring is here. These stalks are everywhere. You’ll want to make the most of them. This recipe for Asparagus Parmesan Chips takes snacking in a whole new direction. Unlike some kinds of chips that can be heavy and leaden, these are light as air. You can use any kind of asparagus you like. Make sure you cut off the woody ends. They’re shredded in a food processor. Then you can bake them at home with a bit of Parmesan cheese. Make them in large batches so you’ll always have something on hand when you’re feeling just a bit hungry.
Hummus is another beloved favorite. Spring is time to dress it up. Spring herbs are ready for you to pick. If you want to make the most of them, try this Spring Herb Hummus Vegetable Garden. Hummus is an easy, portable snack. You don’t have to buy the premade kind. Making your own is simple. One of the best things about it is that you can experiment and see what you like best. Spring makes it easy to try out all kinds of combinations. Hummus keeps for a long time. Add your favorite crackers and you’re in business.
Tasty Main Courses
Vegetables make the ideal main course. You’re going to need at least three vegetables every single day for optimum nutrition. Making vegetables the center of your meal is a great way to make that happen. Spring is the perfect time of the year to go vegetarian for at least one meal a day. You’ll find lots of wonderful options that allow you to appreciate just what vegetables can do to brighten your day. These are recipes that let you explore the full range of vegetables in season right now.
Risotto is one of those dishes that is right for a single person or for a large crowd. The creamy texture is appealing. Add a new twist to an old favorite with this Mushroom and Spring Vegetable Risotto. Mushrooms form the base along with lots of good Arborio rice. Then you can add their suggestions of asparagus and peas or make your own version with what you have on hand. Lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice enliven this one with a pleasing contrast to the body of the risotto. This is a good opinion when you want to watch April showers from your covered porch.
Pasta is another ideal option for a spring main course. You can make your own or find lots of choices on the shelves. This is a great possibility when you want to keep it light but you’re still looking for something that’s going to fill you up. Spring Vegetable Pasta With Pistachios has everything you want in a main course. This one can be there when you don’t have much time. The base of the dish is pasta with a sauce made from the pasta water. Then varied vegetables go on top. Pistachios add welcome color and crunch.
Broccoli is always popular. There’s good reason so many people adore this emerald vegetable. Broccoli is a powerhouse with lots of vitamins and minerals. If you’re looking for a way to use it for spring, you can’t go wrong with this one for Broccoli Quinoa Cakes. Quinoa is one of those grains everyone should add to their personal home pantry. It’s easy to make and works well with many types of vegetables. The patties shown here can be served with lots of different sauces. Make your own version or opt for the one presented in this recipe.
If you’re going to serve lots of people at the same time, pizza is a very good choice. Vegetables and pizza pair nicely. Try this marvelously easy Roasted Spring Vegetable Pizza. You can make your own crust. That lets you decide how large you want to the pizza to be before you put it in the oven. Tomatoes go well here along with a nice helping of mozzarella. Leeks and red pepper add lots of color that says this is spring. The entire pizza can be made in advance or cooked for a fast and fabulous dinner when you want something healthy but totally tasty.
Side Dishes That Make The Meal
Side dishes add zest and make any meal more rounded and enjoyable. If you’re looking for side dishes that will make everyone happy, vegetables are the answer. A series of vegetable side dishes is also an ideal way to create a meatless meal that will help yo stay healthy and even lose weight in the long run. Experiment and find what you like. You’ll be delighted to discover what is out there waiting for you to find. Spring is your chance to discover lots of excellent vegetable side dishes.
Carrots are sweet and ripe for spring. Make them even sweeter with this Honey Glazed Baby Carrots side dish. Baby carrots are tender but also have crunch. A fast cook on the stovetop helps bring out the sweet flavor inherent in the carrots. Honey is a good thing to use when you want just a hint of something that can add liveliness to your meal planning. This one gets additional hints of flavor with help from multiple fresh herbs. It’s one to keep on hand when you want to make it fast.
Cauliflower is another vegetable you should always have on hand. Update it for spring with this Simple Lemon Parsley Cauliflower Rice dish. You can find lots of premade cauliflower rice options or go for it and make it your own. Lemon and parsley are welcome additions that show off the best of spring. This is a good one when you want to make roasted salmon or chicken with it. The riced cauliflower offers an alternative to traditional options with more starch. It’s also a nice low carb option that your guests can enjoy instead of a meat main course.
Salad is always a good way to add to any meal. Fennel is one vegetable that you’ll want to explore in more depth with this recipe for Spring Greens with Orange-Fennel Vinaigrette. Spring greens of all kinds are easy to use. The vinaigrette has lots of punch with oranges and chopped fennel fronds. Grated orange peel goes in along with chopped green onions, minced shallots and some honey for a bit of contrast. This is a good choice when you are looking for a side dish that can be made well in advance and then served cold.
