Happy first day of spring, my dear readers! Are you dreaming of sunny days, dining al fresco, sundresses, and lighter spring fare you can imagine? I know I am. (Sorry to those of you currently dreaming underneath a blanket of snow. Boo.)
With today being the official start of the season, I thought I would offer up some of my favorite springtime recipes from the past five years at Apple a Day. Just remember, some of these photos go back a few years. Don't judge the recipes by the old photos; I promise they'll become your favorites, too!
For many people, spring means asparagus. While it isn't necessarily my top veggie pick, I've definitely made plenty of dishes with it that I've absolutely loved. My three best are, from L to R: asparagus, potato, and goat cheese pizza, Israeli couscous with roasted asparagus, artichokes, and spinach, and asparagus-goat cheese dip.
Beets are always a little controversial when served to a crowd, but I happen to ADORE them. These two dishes in this picture, penne in roasted beet sauce and roasted beet quinoa are simply outstanding. They take a little extra time because the beets have to be roasted before completing the recipe, but I promise you these dishes are so, so worth it. You could even roast the beets the night before and have them ready to go for quicker dinner assembly the next day.
Not a beet fan? I've also thrown in a terrific wheat berry and arugula salad with a tangy citrus dressing to help you utilize the mounds of fresh arugula you're likely to see at the markets this time of year.
Strawberries are definitely a fan favorite this time of year. Even their vibrant red color seems to shout "It's SPRING!" Last year I got on quite a strawberry kick. As a food blogger, I rarely repeat recipes, but these are ones I definitely I plan to repeat this year. From L to R: lemon-ricotta muffins with strawberries, goat cheese and strawberry grilled cheese sandwiches (Just trust me on that one.), and juicy strawberry scones.
During peak season, strawberries are pretty near perfect on their own. But why leave well enough alone when you can make it part of dessert? Take those beautiful berries and make strawberry shortcake cookies and white chocolate mousse with strawberries!
I hope these photos and recipes will inspire you and your families to celebrate spring in your own homes and kitchens. I know I'll definitely be in the spring spirit this year. I'm always on the lookout for new favorites and (clearly) love sharing good recipes. Why keep something so great to yourself? Let's start an idea/recipe swap right here in the comment section. Come on, people--let's share the springtime love!
With today being the official start of the season, I thought I would offer up some of my favorite springtime recipes from the past five years at Apple a Day. Just remember, some of these photos go back a few years. Don't judge the recipes by the old photos; I promise they'll become your favorites, too!
Beets are always a little controversial when served to a crowd, but I happen to ADORE them. These two dishes in this picture, penne in roasted beet sauce and roasted beet quinoa are simply outstanding. They take a little extra time because the beets have to be roasted before completing the recipe, but I promise you these dishes are so, so worth it. You could even roast the beets the night before and have them ready to go for quicker dinner assembly the next day.
Not a beet fan? I've also thrown in a terrific wheat berry and arugula salad with a tangy citrus dressing to help you utilize the mounds of fresh arugula you're likely to see at the markets this time of year.
I hope these photos and recipes will inspire you and your families to celebrate spring in your own homes and kitchens. I know I'll definitely be in the spring spirit this year. I'm always on the lookout for new favorites and (clearly) love sharing good recipes. Why keep something so great to yourself? Let's start an idea/recipe swap right here in the comment section. Come on, people--let's share the springtime love!