Lighter Meals to Enjoy this Spring
Spring is in the air! With the weather warming up at last, picnics and barbecues with your friends and family are possibilities once more. You might even be eager to try out the seasonal produce now available during the spring months.
To give you some inspiration, we’ve rounded up a few light, fresh and tasty recipes that are perfect for spring. Read on…
Pasta Primavera
Pasta may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of light dishes, but this particular pasta primavera recipe is packed with so many fresh-tasting veg that it’ll fill you up without making you feel bloated. Broad beans, leeks and fresh asparagus tips are the star players in this vibrant pasta dish that doesn’t skimp on flavour.
Apple, Kale and Cabbage Salad
What says ‘light spring meal’ more than a fresh raw salad?
This colourful apple, kale and cabbage salad puts your remaining winter vegetables to good use, combining them with more seasonal fare, like kale. The rawness of the kale and cabbage, as well as the apples, will give this salad a satisfying crunch, while the honey vinaigrette adds extra sweetness.
Chicken Tikka Skewers
It’s time to dust off your grill and fire it up for the first time this season. There’s nothing more spring-like than a great barbecue in your back garden, after all.
To experiment with something a little different from your typical grilled chicken, try this chicken tikka skewer recipe out for size. With a fresh cucumber salad and warm chapatis to serve on the side, this low-calorie dish is the very definition of light but satisfying (and oh so flavourful!).
Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Feta
Asparagus is just one of many spring vegetables that you should be taking advantage of in your cooking. Try it roasted, as it is in this recipe. The earthy flavours of the roasted asparagus pair quite well with the creamy feta cheese. The result is a simple meal perfect for a light lunch, served alongside a protein source like grilled meat or fish, or as an appetiser.
Spring Fish Pie
Savour the light, almost ‘melt in your mouth’ taste of white fish in this simple fish pie recipe. The ingredient list isn’t very long, but you’ll still be surprised by how much flavour is packed in this dish. Potatoes, spinach and crème fraîche lend this pie a creamy, satisfying texture without being too heavy.
Roasted Vegetables
Looking for a way to use up your winter produce, or just wanting to get creative with your spring veg? Give this roasted vegetable recipe a go. Olive oil and a small variety of spices and herbs, including coriander and fresh rosemary, give this dish a slight Mediterranean flavour.
This recipe calls for squash, peppers, aubergines and other veg, but you can also substitute in whatever produce you have. These roasted vegetables taste great as a side or when paired with couscous, pasta or grilled meats, including chicken and lamb.
We hope some of these tasty recipes will inspire you as we head into spring!
Until next time…