Spring Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: Kang Kim

Healthy Spring Recipes

Enjoy the fresh flavors of the season with dishes that incorporate the jewels of spring. Baby beets, asparagus, artichokes, morels, and more–there's fresh garden bounty and seasonal recipes to remind you that spring has sprung.

First up is Spring Pasta with Fava Beans and Peas. The vibrant colors of spring shine in this elegant, seasonal pasta dish. Choose firm, bright fava bean pods free of black marks—avoid pods on which the outline of the beans inside is pronounced, indicating older favas.

View Recipe: Spring Pasta with Fava Beans and Peas

Photo: Kang Kim

Roasted Baby Artichokes with Lemon Aioli

Ready in just over 30 minutes, this spring side is simple and sophisticated. Look for bright green artichokes with firm, tightly layered leaves with no discoloration. Unlike big artichokes, baby ones don't have an inedible, thistly "choke" that needs to be scooped from the center.

View Recipe: Roasted Baby Artichokes with Lemon Aioli

Photo: Kang Kim

Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Poached Egg

Pair this light entrée with some roasted new potatoes for a complete and satisfying weeknight meal.

View Recipe: Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Poached Egg

Photo: Randy Mayor

Ruby Port and Rhubarb Risotto with Sugared Strawberries

Risotto becomes a kind of rice pudding in this dish, with a sweet-tart syrup drizzled over the creamy rice.

View Recipe: Ruby Port and Rhubarb Risotto with Sugared Strawberries

Photo: John Autry

Grilled Asparagus with Caper Vinaigrette

Briny capers are a lovely addition to Dijon vinaigrette—especially when drizzled on grilled asparagus.

View Recipe: Grilled Asparagus with Caper Vinaigrette

Photo: John Autry

Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

We like the creamy, custardy consistency of this quiche when it's baked for 35 minutes. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake an additional 5 minutes.

View Recipe: Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

Photo: Kang Kim

Morel Mushroom and Asparagus Sauté

Blanching the asparagus first helps set its color and texture. To ensure the best taste and cut down on prep time in the kitchen, buy firm, unshriveled morels that are dry, not slimy, and free of excessive dirt.

View Recipe: Morel Mushroom and Asparagus Sauté

Photo: Francesco Tonelli

Farfalle with Fava Beans, Morel Mushrooms, and Mascarpone

You can also use shiitake mushrooms and edamame, good year-round alternatives to spring-time morels and fava beans.

View Recipe: Farfalle with Fava Beans, Morel Mushrooms, and Mascarpone

Photo: Jim Bathie

Brunch Parfaits

Assemble everything but the granola and almonds ahead of time, and store in the refrigerator for up to an hour. Sprinkle with granola and almonds just before serving for the optimum crunch.

View Recipe: Brunch Parfaits

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Radishes in Browned Butter and Lemon

A quick and easy side to pair with a weeknight main-dish, these radishes taste exquisite when doused in butter and tangy lemon juice.

View Recipe: Radishes in Browned Butter and Lemon

Photo: Kang Kim

Roasted Baby Beets and Blood Orange Salad with Blue Cheese

If blood oranges aren't available, substitute 3 large navel oranges to retain the same fresh flavor in this spring salad.

View Recipe: Roasted Baby Beets and Blood Orange Salad with Blue Cheese

Photo: John Autry

Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

Make an upscale pasta salad that’s company worthy by combining penne pasta, roasted asparagus, tomato, arugula, herbes de Provence, and goat cheese and tossing with a lemony vinaigrette. Serve immediately or cover and chill for 2 hours for a cold pasta salad.

View Recipe: Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

Photo: John Autry

Rum-Spiked Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut

Six ingredients make one delicious dessert in less than 10 minutes.

View Recipe: Rum-Spiked Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut

Photo: John Autry

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Make the chips in advance, cool completely, and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Photo: Oxmoor House

Spring Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus popping out of the soil is one of the first signs of spring in the garden. The days are warming up, but the nights are still chilly—an ideal time for warm bowls of rich asparagus risotto. Save the more tender tips for the risotto pieces, and blend the larger chopped pieces of asparagus into the broth used to cook the risotto. Garnish with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, if you like.

View Recipe: Spring Asparagus Risotto

Photo: Lauren Rubinstein

Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart

Nestled in a creamy filling and crumbly graham cracker crust, strawberries shine in this delectable tart.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Fava Bean, Sweet Pea, and Sugar Snap Salad

Mint and green peas are a classic spring combination. If you're a fan of edamame, use it in place of either the green peas or fava beans.

View Recipe: Fava Bean, Sweet Pea, and Sugar Snap Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Artichoke Galette

For a light supper and an unforgettable taste of the season, try this stunning galette that pairs baby artichokes with peppery radishes.

View Recipe: Artichoke Galette

Photo: Nina Choi

Beets with Walnuts, Goat Cheese, and Baby Greens

Pair roasted beets and goat cheese with crisp baby greens and crunchy walnuts for a salad that almost explodes with flavor and color. You can prepare the beets up to two days in advance.

View Recipe: Beets with Walnuts, Goat Cheese, and Baby Greens

Photo: José Picayo

Steak House Pizza

Wider, less-lobed Eruca sativa varieties, which are more palatable in larger quantities when dressed simply, would be a great topping on this pizza. This is a new take on a “steak and salad with a side of bread” and a fun way to enjoy dinner in a bite.

View Recipe: Steak House Pizza

Photo: John Autry

Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze

Look for whole-wheat pastry flour in the baking aisle at major supermarkets. Garnish with additional strawberries and fresh mint leaves.

View Recipe: Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze

Photo: John Autry

Snap Pea and Radish Sauté

This delicious vegetable sauté pairs well with a variety of protein-based dinners, including salmon, chicken, and beef. Cutting half of the peas in half gives the dish a lovely look, but you can skip that step and leave them all whole, if you like.

View Recipe: Snap Pea and Radish Sauté

Photo: Francesco Tonelli

Orzo Salad with Radish and Fennel

Lemony dressing and fresh mint add vibrant flavor to this pasta salad. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and garnish with pretty mint leaves, if desired.

View Recipe: Orzo Salad with Radish and Fennel

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Strawberry-Mint Sparkling Limeade

For a kid-friendly version, substitute 3 cups chilled club soda for the wine. When adding the wine or soda, pour slowly down the edge of the glass to tame the foam.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Mint Sparkling Limeade

Photo: Oxmoor House

Chicken and Spring Greens with Açai Dressing

This salad is a model of nutrition. The greens and onion provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, the pecans add healthy fats, and the chicken is a great source of lean protein, all with less than 300 calories per serving. Açai dressing is rich in antioxidants, but so is any bottled berry dressing.

View Recipe: Chicken and Spring Greens with Açai Dressing