Spring is coming! That means fresh tangy flavors, mocktails, salads, tarts, and more. Here’s a refresher on spring ingredients and some suggestions for how to incorporate them into your menu.
1. Peas: Sweet and Bright
Peas burst with sweetness and are perfect for spring. Create a lively pea and mint soup, toss peas into a fresh salad, or blend them into a vibrant green pea hummus for a delightful appetizer.
2. Morels: Earthy and Luxurious
These wild mushrooms are a spring treasure. Add them to creamy pasta dishes, feature them in an earthy tart, or use them to top a savory flatbread paired with goat cheese.
3. Artichokes: Rich and Versatile
Artichokes bring a hearty yet fresh flavor to spring menus. Prepare them in a lemon-infused artichoke tart, mix into a crunchy spring vegetable salad, or offer them as a marinated side dish.
4. Rhubarb: Tart and Tangy
This uniquely tart ingredient can shine in both savory and sweet settings. Consider a rhubarb and strawberry compote for desserts, or experiment with a rhubarb mocktail featuring ginger and mint.
5. Asparagus: Crisply Elegant
Asparagus epitomizes spring with its crisp texture and grassy notes. Grill it as a side, shave it raw into salads with a lemony dressing, or create an asparagus and parmesan tart.
6. Radishes: Peppery and Crisp
Radishes add a peppery kick to any dish. Slice them thin for salads, include them in fresh spring rolls, or try them dipped in sea salt and butter as a simple, crunchy appetizer.
7. Mint: Fresh and Aromatic
Mint can refresh and enhance many dishes. Use it to add a pop to fruit salads, stir into yogurt dressings, or incorporate it into refreshing spring mocktails.
8. Citrus: Bursting with Zest
Citrus fruits can bring a bright zing to many dishes. Add orange segments to salads, use lemon zest in marinades, or create a citrus-based vinaigrette for a light, flavorful salad dressing.
9. Fennel: Subtle and Anise-Like
Fennel’s licorice-like flavor is wonderful in spring dishes. Thinly slice fennel for a crisp salad, roast it with fish, or incorporate it into a creamy spring soup.
10. Watercress: Peppery and Vibrant
This leafy green adds a spicy dimension to any dish. Toss watercress into salads with fresh berries and nuts, blend it into a peppery pesto, or use it as a fresh bed for grilled seafood.
