Spring Recipe Ideas for the Season!

Spring has arrived alongside an entirely new assortment of exciting seasonal ingredients to showcase in your meal preparations at home. Whether you’re preparing an appetizer, a main dish or a dessert, springtime ingredients will bring you out of your wintertime lull and into a more vibrant and invigorating mood. These recipes are just the start to enjoying a new season.

Grilled Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto

You have set up the grill and it is the perfect time for the best asparagus of the year. This classic appetizer is beloved by many, easy to make and ideal for nearly any occasion from watching springtime sports with friends to hosting a dinner party.

• 16 asparagus spears, trimmed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt, a pinch
• Freshly ground pepper, as you like
• 1 ounce prosciutto or rather 2 thin slices, cut each slice in half lengthwise

Preheat your grill to medium. In a bowl, toss asparagus with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Bundle asparagus in groups of four and wrap the centre of each bundle with one piece of prosciutto. Oil the grill rack with tongs and an oiled piece of paper towel. Add the asparagus bundles to the grill and turn them once or twice until the asparagus becomes tender and slightly charred in some areas. This should take roughly 10 minutes.

Salmon Burgers with Green Goddess Dressing

Salmon burgers will take your next barbecue to the next level. This seasonal delight will also provide a lovely meatless option for those with such dietary preferences without skimping on flavour.

• 1 pound skinned salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons red onion or scallion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons mayo
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 rinsed anchovy fillet, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon rinsed capers, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin or canola oil
• Salt, a pinch
• Pepper, half a pinch

Chop salmon with precise and straight up-and-down cuts into approximately ¼-inch pieces. Keep in mind that if you chop the salmon with the same motion as you would herbs, the fish will turn into an unpleasant texture, so keep the cuts straight up and down and precise. Transfer salmon pieces to a large bowl and gently stir in the red onion, ginger, cilantro, salt and pepper. Be careful not to overwork the mixture. Make 4 patties roughly 1-inch thick and place in the refrigerator for anywhere between 20 minutes and 2 hours.

To make the dressing, combine the mayo, sour cream, anchovy, capers, parsley, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl and set aside or place in refrigerator to allow flavours to blend.

To cook the burgers, heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Be certain the pan is large enough so that the patties do not touch. Place the burgers in the hot pan and cook roughly 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until they have browned and just cooked through. To serve, present the burgers on a leaf of lettuce or in a bun with a dollop of the dressing.

Strawberry and Rhubarb Cheesecake Cream Parfait

Springtime desserts do not have to be overly complicated to be incredibly delicious. This springtime parfait will keep your friends and family coming back for more and it will only take minutes to prepare.

• 3 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• ½ cup strawberry jam
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups whipping cream

Stir together rhubarb, strawberries and strawberry jam. Allow the mixture to rest at room temperature while you make the cheesecake whipped topping. With a mixer on a lower setting, beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until the sugar dissolves entirely. Increase the speed of the mixer to medium and slowly add the whipping cream. Beat the mixture until it is light and airy and set it aside.

To construct the parfaits, alternate the strawberry rhubarb and cheesecake mixtures starting with the fruit and ending with the whipped topping. Serve straight away or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

It is easy to bring the delightful elements of springtime into your kitchen with these recipes. Spring is short; so, take full advantage of the spectacular ingredients available this spring before the season begins to change again and you’re forced to wait yet another year to enjoy these recipes at their peak.