Spring is finally here and its bounty is just waiting for us to enjoy! The colors and flavors make for meals as beautiful as they are delicious. And while the weather makes us want to get outside and go, that means less time in the kitchen. What’s a lover of spring favorites like mint, green peas, carrots, asparagus and shallots to do? Here, 7 fresh, yet simple, dinners you can whip up on any busy weeknight.
Mâche, Beet, and Orange Salad
This recipe from Woman’s Day Kitchen is a great way to avoid that “same old salad” feeling, thanks to its cooked beets, navel oranges, and toasted pistachios. Just be sure to toss the mâche leaves with your lemon-herb dressing right before eating, to avoid sogginess.
Sesame Chicken Salad
This recipe calls for a little extra work, but with that first bite—a refreshing mixture of grilled chicken, chickpeas, watermelon radishes, and a creamy sesame dressing spiked with sriracha and maple syrup (!)—you’re sure to appreciate the extra effort. And because it’s packed with protein, this salad from Cravings by Chrissy Teigen is guaranteed to fill you up.
Spring Chicken Casserole
Hearty meals aren’t just reserved for the winter, and from the looks of this Good Housekeeping UK recipe, they may be even better this time of year! With spring greens and garden peas, this dish is a fresh twist on the traditional chicken casserole. And it only takes 10 minutes to prep then literally, two steps and you’re done. Pro Tip: Garnish with mint leaves for extra zest.
Roasted Honey-Dijon Salmon with Spring Vegetables
If easy, one-pan dinners are the way to your heart, then get ready to love this recipe from Food & Wine. While a traditional cookie sheet will do, a restaurant-style sheet pan is even better for this dish. One, because it’s bigger (18 x 13) so your ingredients won’t crowd which is key; and two, these heavier pans help with browning. Another reason to love this recipe? It’s adaptable! Not only is it easy to double for a large group, you can also substitute whatever spring produce you have on hand.
Inside Out Pork Dumplings
All too often, quick and easy meals aren’t the healthiest; unless you’re using a Martha Stewart recipe like this one! It’s packed with fiber and vitamins so you can devour it without the guilt. Look for the young baby bok choy for this recipe to get those nice bite-size pieces. Pro Tip: If you don’t happen to eat pork, ground turkey is a good substitute; just add 2 Tbsp. more oil.
Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots
Yes, cooking seafood at home can be easy, especially with this recipe from Amanda Frederickson’s cookbook Simple Beautiful Food. These scallops use less than 10 ingredients and only take about 20 minutes to prepare. Your key to getting the juiciest scallops with the best sear? Make sure the they’re as dry as possible before putting them into the skillet.
Lemony Pasta with Chickpeas, Cauliflower and Arugula
This vegetarian pasta from Epicurious packs a surprising amount of oomph for a dish with so few ingredients. The chickpeas and pan-fried cauliflower add bulk and fiber while the crispy capers and fresh arugula add depth and a fresh green bite. Did we mention it comes together in under 30 minutes? Now that’s a weeknight winner.
“April Rain” Cocktail
With all this time you’re saving using these simple recipes, you might as well take advantage and fix yourself a spring-themed drink as well, right? This recipe from The Spruce Eats is appropriately named April Rain. It’s a twist on the vodka martini using fresh lime juice for a refreshing and just slightly dry profile. Pro Tip: Use a chilled glass to enhance the taste.
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