Spring is here: These are all the things we’ve missed

Bring on spring. This is the season we can really get behind —  here’s why.

spring is here

It’s officially time to pack away your soup pots and slow cookers, and dust off your salad bowls and fruit platters. You’re going to need them for what you’ll be cooking this spring.

It’s officially time to pack away your soup pots and slow cookers, and dust off your salad bowls and fruit platters. You’re going to need them for what you’ll be cooking this spring.

It’s hard to get sentimental about winter. The triple layers, the dismal grey, the heater bills.

But spring?

This is a season we can all get behind. Birds chirp merrily from trees, T-shirts emerge from the depth of your wardrobe, and flowers and allergies simultaneously burst into bloom. Yes, spring is here, and with it, a hoard of fresh seasonal produce we’ve been missing, like mangoes, strawberries, asparagus, snow peas, spinach and avocados. There are so many ways to spice up some of your favourite recipes by just adding one more fresh ingredient, and there are so many recipes waiting to become your new go-to meal. With this season’s fresh produce in mind, here’s what you’re going to want to add to the menu this spring.

SWEET SALADS

The separation of fruit and vegetables is an injustice that has continued through the ages but that, I say, ends today. The grave mistake humankind has been making in believing fruits don’t pair well with leafy greens can be traced to the fact that few have actually tried it. If they had, the culinary world would be a better place. Take advantage of in-season fruit and veg like mangoes, strawberries, avocados and spinach this spring by serving them together in a salad. Try this creative combo: you might be surprised!

If you’re looking for a light, bright and fresh salad, slice up some fresh mango and avocado and toss it in a bowl with romaine lettuce, slivered almonds and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with a light white wine and olive oil dressing. You’ll never think of salads the same way again.

Spring is also the season of strawberries, and their unlikely partner, spinach. Wait, what? Yep, in another episode of ‘World’s Weirdest Couples’, spinach and strawberry join together to make one sweet and juicy salad. The only company they need is a sprinkling of feta, some pecans for added crunch and a healthy drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It might sound weird, but without a doubt, it will be the first empty bowl at any barbecue. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!

MORNING BITES

Sometimes our favourite foods come in a box and live in the cupboard, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But those same meals can come alive by just adding one fresh seasonal ingredient. Take, for example, the humble pancake mix. Sure, it’s a breakfast treat delicious on its own with a little maple syrup, but how easy is it to slice up a handful of fresh strawberries to scatter on top? It’s just as easy when it comes to a classic bowl of cereal or granola. A little burst of red berries in your breakfast is the perfect way to start a spring day, and all it takes is just adding one punnet to your shopping cart.

The same goes for one of Australia’s most beloved breakfast items: the humble avocado. Turn your kitchen into a 5-star cafe by simply mashing some fresh avo in a bowl with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper, and a generous sprinkle of chilli flakes before spreading it on your toast. Not only will it cost three times less than it does at a cafe, but you can Instagram your plate from the safety of your own home.

SPRING SIDES

Sure, everyone loves a good roasted potato or green salad side dish, but mostly because of how easy they are to whip up. We all wish there were a few more hours in the day — and dollars in the bank — to put towards our dinner.  But snow peas and asparagus are two vegetables that make the perfect side and require minimal time or added ingredients to make, and they both happen to be in season.

If you want to add a little crunch to your meal, sauté a handful of snow peas in a pan with some sesame oil for no more than two minutes. Season with some lemon juice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and you’ve got yourself an effortless side.

Know what else we can finally do, now that spring has arrived? Bust out the grill without fear of freezing. Toss a bundle or two of asparagus spears in olive oil, salt and pepper, and char them on the grill for a couple of minutes. If you want to up the stakes a little, you can add minced garlic to the olive oil, and top with fresh grated parmesan to serve.

Move along winter. Nothing to see here.

Originally published as Spring is here: These are all the things we’ve missed