Spring is Almost Here: Fun Spring Recipes

By Bethany Mccammon Tap

It may not seem like it, but spring is fast approaching. The first day of spring will be March 20^th, and in preparation for sunny days, green grass, and warmer temperatures, we’re excited to share with you a list of tasty spring recipes.

Some of the best fruits and vegetables are harvested in the spring, making the months of March, April, and May the best times to eat them. Vegetables such as asparagus, watercress, peas, and spinach are harvested in the spring. And of course, spring is a wonderful time for exotic fruits: pineapples and mangoes.

Apricots are a great spring fruit. They are also versatile. You can use them in sauces, such as this Spicy Apricot Chicken Wing sauce or you can use them to make cookies, like Apricot-Tarragon Cocktail Cookies. And did you know that grilling apricots really brings out their sweetness? It also adds a scrumptious smoky flavor.

Another great spring dish features asparagus. This Singaporean Sautéed Asparagus with Ginger recipe uses a sauce made with cream, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers to dress the asparagus. Yum!

Of course, who could forget rhubarb pie, a perfect summer sweet-tooth soother. Try this Deep-Dish Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, a perfectly tart-sweet classic. And if you’re into desserts, try fixing a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, too.

Another dessert that you won’t want to miss is the Mango-Basil Vacherin. This crisp, yet creamy French dessert is made of basil ice cream, sweet mango sorbet, and a kiss of lime meringue. And if you’re thirsty for mango, you might want to try a Carrot-Mango Lassi. Lassis are an Indian drink, and are basically yogurt smoothies. Juice the carrots; blend them with the mango, yogurt, honey, and lime juice; and add a pinch of turmeric (which is great for your liver); and voila!—you have the perfect, tasty, smoothie-treat.

Naturally, spring makes us think of salads. Fresh spinach or kale salads, with lots of light veggies and fruit. Why not try something daring? This Quinoa Salad with Grilled Scallions, Favas, and Dates is both filling and protein-rich. Add a puree of dates, and you’ve got a tasty, healthy, but slightly sweet dinner. You could also try this Cabbage, Cucumber, and Fennel Salad with Dill, tossed in a light, tangy crème fraîche, along with a poppy seed dressing. Easy and delicious!

Finally, what shouts spring more loudly than saying goodbye to the hearty winter stews in favor of chilled purees and brothy braises? Try the Bialy Barszcz (Polish White Borscht) soup, a special Easter soup that calls for kielbasa, leeks, onion, horseradish, parsley, and dill. And how could you say no to a chilled carrot soup with fines herbes mousse? This soup captures the essence of carrots and all of their spring wonder.

And of course, now that the weather is getting warmer, you can always spend a day grilling up your favorite kebabs or steaks.

Spring is almost here, and now you’ll be prepared to feed the family with these fun, light recipes. So get ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to a delightful, new season filled with fresh, delicious food.