The days are growing longer and the air warmer here on the east coast. Yards are full of spring flowers: daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. The air has a fresh earthy smell. Kids are outside playing after school with bubbles and sidewalk chalk.
Spring is here.
As I menu plan the seasonal change is apparent in the list of meals I’m making. Gone are the hearty stews and slow cooker soups. I want lighter—yet still filling—meals that are full of seasonal vegetables yet easy to prepare. Here are some of my spring favorites:
I love this couscous salad bursting with bright flavor, despite the rather simple ingredients. It’s a perfectly easy one-pot weeknight meal that tastes like spring to me.
Sandwiches are an often-overlooked dinnertime choice. But pared with some tortilla chips, hummus, and fruit, it makes for a deliciously easy and simple dinner. Joy the Baker’s Ultimate Club Sandwich really hits the spot. Creamy brie cheese, crisp bacon, ripe tomato, silky avocado, and roasted turkey—what’s not to love?
My kids don’t like asparagus, but they do like pasta and salmon, so there’s enough in this tasty meal to make them happy and full. I love the flavor combinations of salmon, dill, and lemon.
We love hearty salads around here and the Smitten Kitchen’s cobb salad is certainly that. Loaded with protein (bacon, chicken, hard boiled egg) this salad will leave you full. If you’re short on time, you could always buy salad dressing instead of making it.
I love risotto but it’s not really doable on weeknights. It’s more of a special occasion type of thing. But Ina Garten’s Chive Risotto Cakes are soooo good. You can also make up the mixture ahead of time and let it refrigerate overnight! The cakes are fried crispy on the outside and yet are creamy on the inside. They are hearty yet taste of spring with the fresh chopped herbs. Even my kids like them! (What kids won’t eat anything fried?) We adults eat them over a bed of spring greens with a drizzle of olive oil and splash of lemon.
What spring-inspired recipes do you enjoy?
Oh my goodness! These all sound amazing, especially the club sandwich and risotto cakes. Thank you for sharing!
Not especially springy, but we tried these recipes recently and are loving them.
http://www.fitmomangelad.com/bacon-cheeseburger-skillet/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=pin&utm_content=Bacon-Cheesburger&utm_campaign=BBB
http://thefithousewife.com/2015/06/turkey-taco-zucchini-boats.html/
http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/crock-pot-beef-and-broccoli/
Do you have a link for the pasta dish pictured? Looks amazing!
Yes, click on Lemony Salmon Dill Toss and scroll down to it!