Simple Recipes for Spring

These simple recipes highlight the fresh flavors of spring and are perfect for light and satisfying meals during the season. Enjoy

Here are a few simple and delicious recipes that celebrate the season:

1. Caprese Salad:

   • Ingredients: Fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
   • Instructions: Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese into rounds. Arrange them alternately on a plate, overlapping slightly. Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and cheese slices. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Strawberry Spinach Salad:

   • Ingredients: Baby spinach leaves, fresh strawberries (sliced), red onion (thinly sliced), feta cheese (crumbled), toasted pecans or walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette.
   • Instructions: Toss baby spinach, sliced strawberries, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted nuts in a large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss to coat evenly.

3. Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp:

   • Ingredients: Large shrimp (peeled and deveined), butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, chopped parsley.
   • Instructions: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and sprinkle with lemon zest, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley before serving.

4. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken:

   • Ingredients: Chicken breasts (or thighs), olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley), salt, and pepper.
   • Instructions: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.

5. Roasted Spring Vegetables:

   • Ingredients: Assorted spring vegetables (such as asparagus, baby carrots, baby potatoes, cherry tomatoes), olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary).
   • Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the vegetables with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven until tender and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.