Move over winter! Spring is officially here! And with that returns so many of our fresh and seasonal favorites, including greens, peas, asparagus, berries, and more! To help you get back into some seasonal favorites, I've shared a few of my favorite spring recipes!
Sausage, Spinach, and Feta Egg Bake
Ingredients:
1# ground breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
1/2 Onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
5oz spinach
1C broccoli, chopped
1/2C red bell pepper
1/2C crumbled feta cheese
10 eggs
1/4C milk
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Add sausage to a large pan on medium heat. Crumble and cook for 2 minutes. Add onions and garlic and cook until browned. Add greens, broccoli and red pepper and cook about 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with feta cheese.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and the milk. Pour over sausage-vegetable mixture and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until eggs are set. Let cool slightly and enjoy!
Inspired by Spoonful of Flavor
Spring Berry Yogurt Toast
Ingredients:
1 5.3oz Berry Greek Yogurt
1 Egg
1/2t Vanilla Extract
2 Slices Sourdough Bread
1/2C Berries
Directions:
Add the yogurt, egg, and vanilla to a bowl and mix to combine
With a spoon, gently press down on the center of the bread to make a small well. Add the yogurt mixture to the bread and top with berries
Bake OR Air Fry at 350F for 10-12 minutes, until the yogurt sets like a custard and the toast turns golden
Enjoy as is or topped with honey, crushed nuts, seeds, or almond butter
Lemon, Raspberry, Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients:
1C Milk
1C Greek Yogurt
1/4C Chia Seeds
2T Honey
1/2t Vanilla Extract
The Zest of 1 Lemon
1/2C Raspberries, cut
1/4C Coconut
Directions:
Combine milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a large jar or bowl. Mix well, cover, and place in the fridge for at least an hour or over night
When ready to serve, mix, and top with raspberries and shredded coconut. You can also add more honey if you want it a little sweeter or other toppings like granola or crushed nuts.
Inspired by The Better Blondie
Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
12oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 small/medium avocado, chopped
1/3C red onion, chopped
1/4C fresh cilantro
6oz pre-cooked chicken (grilled, shredded, rotisserie, leftover, etc.)
6C arugula, spinach, and/or spring mix
1/4C pine nuts
Dressing
3T avocado oil or olive oil
1 lemon, juice and zest
1.5T vinegar (apple cider, red wine, or other fruit flavor)
1/2t garlic powder
Directions:
To assemble the salad, toss together the strawberries, avocado, onion, cilantro, greens, and chicken.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients
Before serving, toss the dressing with the salad. Top with pine nuts and enjoy!
Inspired by Wholesomelicious
Chicken Sausage & Apple Flatbread
Ingredients:
4 whole grain flatbreads
2 Tbsp olive oil, for brushing
1 (12 oz) package Chicken & Apple Sausage
2 cups thinly sliced apples
8 oz goat cheese (can also use feta or mozzarella)
2 cups baby arugula
Salt and pepper to taste
For the honey vinaigrette:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat
Brush each flatbread on both sides with olive oil and place on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until you see some char marks (or lightly toast in a hot oven)
Cook the sausages for 8 to 10 minutes until heated through, turning occasionally. Remove from grill and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
Top the flatbread with the cheese, apple slices and chicken sausage and grill for an additional 4 to 6 minutes until cheese is slightly melted.
To make the honey vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, honey, dijon mustard and lemon juice and set aside.
Remove pizzas from the grill, top with fresh arugula and drizzle each with honey vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Inspired by Eat Yourself Skinny
Spring Vegetable and Lemon Soup
Ingredients:
6C chicken or vegetable stock
2 medium chicken breasts OR 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 sticks celery, sliced
Olive oil
1T butter
2 leeks, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
3.5oz dried pasta (small shapes like ditalini, orzo, pastini, elbows, shells, etc.)
4-6 handfuls of greens like spinach, kale, chard, etc.
1 small bunch basil, chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced
parmesan, finely grated to make 4 tbsp
Directions:
In a saucepan, add the chicken and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer until the chicken is cooked all the way through and shreds easily with a fork, approximately 20-25 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside to shred.
In a large pot, cook the celery in 1 tbsp oil and the butter, about 5 minutes or until it begins to soften. Then add the leeks and cook for 5 more minutes, and the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the stock and to the vegetables bring back to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook for 4 minutes.
Add the greens and cook for another 4 minutes until the pasta and the greens are tender.
Stir in the chicken, basil, and lemon juice and zest.
Divide between bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to serve.
Chickpea Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Cucumber
Ingredients:
2 tomatoes medium, diced
1 ripe avocado, diced
1 cucumber, diced
¼ cup red onion, sliced
15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Dressing:
¼C olive oil
2T lemon juice
¼C fresh parsley, chopped
¼C fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper
Directions:
In a large bowl combine avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and chickpeas.
In a medium bowl, combine salad dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, and basil. Stir to combine.
Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Inspired by Julia's Album
Lemon Garlic Shrimp With Spring Veggies
Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp peeled, deveined, tail off
2 cups asparagus, chopped
2 small zucchini, chopped
2/3 cup Wild Rice Blend, cooked according to package directions
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp butter
1/2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
1 lemon, juiced and zested
2/3 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
4 garlic cloves minced
1/2 tbsp flour or cornstarch
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook the wild rice according to the package directions
In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and asparagus and sautee until tender, 2-3 minutes.
Add shrimp in a single layer and cook on one side, without moving shrimp, for about 2-3 minutes.
Flip shrimp and add sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, approximately 2-3 minutes, then add butter and parsley.
Remove shrimp from heat and toss in asparagus and zucchini. Serve with cooked wild rice blend.
Inspired by Peanut Butter & Fitness
Creamy Pasta Primavera
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Soffritto Sautéed Vegetable Cooking Base OR 2T olive oil + 2t soffritto seasoning
1 small bunch asparagus, ends trimmed & cut into smaller pieces
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 bell pepper sliced/chopped
1 cup diced zucchini
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
8 leaves fresh basil, sliced thin
1 (8.8 ounce) package Pappardelle Egg Pasta
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Boil a large, salted pot of water for the pasta and it cook al dente according to package directions.
Add the Soffritto and oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus, peas, bell pepper, zucchini, and garlic to the skillet and sauté, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and add them to a bowl.
Add the chopped tomato, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and cream to the skillet. Let it bubble for about 3 minutes or until it's somewhat thickened.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir the parmesan cheese and basil into the sauce and then add the vegetables back to the skillet. Let them warm through. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Drain the pappardelle and toss it with the sauce. Serve immediately with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
This dish is also great with cooked chicken or shrimp to add extra protein.
Inspired by Salt and Lavender
Greek Pita Pizzas
Ingredients
1.5lb ground lamb (can also use chicken or beef)
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 whole grain pita or naan breads
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
1/2C crumbled feta
1 small cucumber, sliced
1/2C tzatziki sauce (store bought or homemade)
Greek Seasoning Blend:
3T oregano
2T basil
1T dill
2T onion powder
2T garlic powder
½T salt
1T black pepper
Tzatziki Sauce:
1 medium cucumber
1 1/2C plain Greek yogurt
2T olive oil
2T dill
1T lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1/2t salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet, Bake for 3-4 minutes on each side, until slightly browned and crisp
In a large skillet, cook lamb with garlic, and Greek seasoning blend, approximately 6-8 minutes, until cooked through.
Top bread with meat, tomatoes, avocado, and cheese. Bake another 3-4 minutes until heated through and melted together. Top with cucumbers and drizzle with tzatziki sauce.
To make your own tzatziki sauce, finely chop or grate the cucumber and garlic. Then mix all ingredients together. OR add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Ingredients:
1 1/4 pounds rhubarb (6 or 7 (6-inch) stalks), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 pound strawberries, sliced
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
5 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cold
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Mix the rhubarb, strawberries, lemon juice and zest in a large bowl.
Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of the packed light brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and salt. Toss to combine, making sure there are no pockets of sugar left in the bottom of the bowl. Pour into a large cast-iron skillet.
Place the rolled oats, flour, and the remaining 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes, then add to the oat mixture. Using your fingers, press the butter into the mixture until large, irregular clumps form. Scatter the topping evenly over the fruit, leaving large clumps intact.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the juices are bubbling and the topping is golden brown and firm. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
Inspired by The Kitchn
I hope you enjoy some of my favorite spring recipes! Let me know what some of your favorites are. Connect with me on Instagram @thegymnastRD