5 Simple recipes with ingredients in season in April
The arrival of April means spring showers, blooming flowers, and fresh produce. Many fruits and veggies flourish in the beginning of spring, which means you’ll have a whole new host of ingredients at your fingertips at the local farmers market. This April, try one of these easy recipes starring in-season ingredients.
- Simple Strawberry Smoothie [The Dinner Mom]
Plump, vibrant strawberries are back for the spring season, so take full advantage of their return. Mix up your breakfast routine with this five-ingredient smoothie recipe. It enlists fresh or frozen strawberries, ice, plain Greek yogurt, a dash of lemon juice, and your choice of sweetener. Simply blend everything together until it’s creamy, then pour the healthy smoothie into a travel mug to go. - Easy Rhubarb Crisp [All Recipes]
Rhubarb also returns to the scene in April. The only problem? Many people aren’t quite sure what to do with rhubarb, other than bake it into a pie. Since pie prep can be pretty labor-intensive, try this simple rhubarb crisp recipe instead. Whip up a mixture of oats, flour, and sugar to serve as the “crisp,” then layer it into a pan with the rhubarb and another dash of sugar and vanilla. Bake for an hour and enjoy. - Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Asparagus [Belle of the Kitchen]
If you’re looking for a seasonal side to add to your dinner table, try this super simple oven-roasted asparagus. All you have to do is rinse and trim your fresh asparagus, then toss it with some olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese. Roast it for about eight minutes and serve it up alongside grilled chicken or salmon. - Arugula Salad [Food Network]
Eating leafy greens doesn’t have to be boring. This easy, yet flavorful springtime salad proves that. Start with a base of arugula, which thrives during the spring months. Toss it with some extra-virgin olive oil, a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper. Then embellish the top with thinly shaved ribbons of parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Then you have yourself a side salad that will both bring the nutrition and delight your taste buds. - Basic Roasted Beets [ChowHound]
Generally speaking, the deeper the hue of a fruit or vegetable, the more vitamins and minerals it contains — and the healthier it is. Following this rule of thumb, the beets is essentially one of the healthiest foods in existence. Even better, beets are uber easy to prepare. Simply slice and roast beets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Then tuck them inside of wraps or sandwiches, toss them on top of your midday salad, or eat them solo as a rich side dish.
With so many fresh ingredients popping up again in the spring, your virtual recipe box deserves a major makeover. Add these seasonally inspired recipes to your roundup to add a dash of nutrition, flavor, and, most importantly, springtime colors to your dinner table this season.
What’s in Season: April Fruits & Vegetables [The Spruce]