Everybody loves springtime. The days are lighter and longer, the flowers begin to blossom, and the sun starts showing its face again. So how does this uplifting time of year affect our eating habits? And how can we adapt our cooking to meet those changing needs?
When the winter comes to an end, people often enjoy lighter meals. As more vegetables become in season, there’s an opportunity to cook with fresh ingredients. That being said, there are still plenty of ways to prepare hearty meals with a spring twist.
Read on as we delve into the best of spring flavours, exploring recipes that people love during this time of year. We’ll look at light and fresh-tasting dishes, flavourful meals with seasonal ingredients, and a range of hearty recipes packed with nutritious ingredients.
Light and Fresh
It’s light outside, and the air is fresh. Time to adjust your next meal to the season, and not many dishes are as light and fresh, as well as vibrant and satisfying, as this Skillet Gnocchi Vegan Buddha Bowl. What’s more, you can easily add or take out ingredients as you please to cater the dish to fussy eaters and fine-tune the flavours for those with demanding taste buds.
While this works well as a side or an appetizer, there’s no reason our Skillet Gnocchi With Fresh Goat Cheese and Green Peas can’t also be a main. Brimming with freshness, a drizzle of lemon zest and olive oil takes the tastiness up an extra notch.
Here’s how to make use of fresh mushrooms in spring: Prepare this Skillet Gnocchi with Mushroom and Goat Cheese for the whole family. This delicious set of ingredients makes a mouthwatering accompaniment to chicken fillets and other tasty protein foods.
Fresh Spring Ingredients to Use in Pasta Recipes:
Asparagus: Fresh and versatile, it’s a sure way to add taste and depth to risottos, ravioli dishes, or frittatas. With Parmesan cheese, lemon, and herbs, it only gets better.
Peas: Tasty, tender, and ripe in the spring, peas can be added to salads, soups, risottos, and more.
Artichokes: For these seasonal delights, springtime is prime time. You can roast them, grill them, steam them, or stuff them. Or how about adding them to the top of a pizza?
Fresh greens: Greens like arugula, spinach, and watercress are at their boldest and greenest during spring. Add them to pasta, salads, or even sandwiches.
Herbs: From mint to chives to basil and parsley, add a herbaceous twist to your email.
Lemon: Bringing those bright and citrusy tastes to your next Italian-inspired dish is ideal when the lemons are at their most fresh.
Cheese: Mozzarella and ricotta may be popular Italian cheeses all year round, but by adding them to a recipe of spring ingredients, you’ll bring an extra dash of freshness to the mix.
Seasonal and Flavourful
One of the great joys of using seasonal ingredients during springtime is that they’re at their peak of flavour and vibrancy. Try this Skillet Gnocchi Salad With Walnuts, a recipe that you can easily prepare for the whole family using our Family Size Cheese Filled Skillet Gnocchi.
When cherry tomatoes are red, ripe, and ready for your next recipe, make this Chicken Pesto Tortellini with Cherry Tomatoes dish and see for yourself how much those around the table enjoy it and crave more.
So what can you do with fresh asparagus? Try adding it to a delicious pasta recipe such as this Asparagus and Red Pepper Linguine dish. Hearty, colourful, and packed with spring flavours, this could be the next family favourite to take your kitchen by storm.
Everybody loves a filled pasta dish, which is why this Roasted Portobello Mushrooms Ravioli with Spinach and Goat Cheese is an easy way to please the crowd. If, however, you’re wondering what sauces pair best with ravioli dishes, see our guide to ravioli sauce and discover a world of flavours.
Hearty and Nutritious
Making use of the best spring flavours doesn’t always mean lighter meals. There are plenty of ways to cook something hearty while also using seasonal and nutritious ingredients. For a meal that everyone loves, whether they’re vegetarian or not, try this Roasted Zucchini Lasagna.
For something creamy, comforting, and rich in flavour that will have the whole table licking their lips, treat your family to this quick, easy, yet irresistible Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage.
If you’ve been wondering, where leeks fit into spring-inspired recipes, feast your eyes on this Linguine alla Chitarra with Leeks and Crispy Prosciutto, a classic Mediterranean meal that tastes just as wonderful as it looks.
With Olivieri®, learn more about the different types of pasta you can bring to your kitchen to liven up your next mealtime. For more meal inspiration, remember you’re always welcome to drop by our kitchen anytime.