Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”  I take it as a sign to live life in full bloom.

It’s a great time to shed your winter duldrums. Get out of your dinner routine rut and experiment with fresh and flavorful ingredients.

The warmer weather and abundance of produce makes it easy to create delicious, time saving meals that are both healthy and satisfying.

Let’s start the celebration off by enjoying nature’s bounty at dinner time. Think asparagus, peas, spinach…oh my!

Here are some fun ways to cook this season and bring some springtime sun into your kitchen.

Grilled Salmon with Asparagus

Grilled salmon is a delicious and healthy dinner option, especially when paired with fresh asparagus.

Simply brush the salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before grilling. Feel free to add a dash of tajin to your salmon as well. Tajin is a Mexican seasoning consisting of chili peppers,  sea salt and lime juice- it packs a wallop of flavor but not too much heat.

If no grill is available, you can use a grill pan on your stove or broil  the salmon in the oven.

Toss the asparagus with some olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice before grilling alongside the salmon. The asparagus can also be roasted in your oven or steamed. If steaming your asparagus, saute your garlic in the olive oil and then add it to the asparagus with the lemon juice after steaming. This will help take the bite out of raw garlic.

Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.

Spring Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir fry is a quick and easy dinner option that can be customized to include any seasonal vegetables you have on hand.

Try using spring produce like snap peas, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans and bell peppers. Saute some sliced onions with minced garlic and fresh ginger. Add your vegatables and toss with soy sauce, gluten free tamari or coconut aminos. Finish with a dash of toasted sesame oil.

Serve the stir fry over brown rice or quinoa for a healthy and satisfying meal.  

Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Kebabs are a fun and easy way to enjoy grilled meat and vegetables.

Make a marinade of olive oil, honey, soy sauce or gluten free tamari or coconut aminos, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Add  big cubes of chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onions and bell peppers. Marinate for approximately one hour. If you have less time, dinner will still be delicious but the flavor will be less pronounced. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers and grill until cooked through.

Note: if you are using wooden skewers, you must soak them in water, citrus juice or wine for at least 30 minutes before using to ensure they won’t burn. It’s easiest to soak them while your chicken and veggies are marinating.

Serve with a side salad or a warm pita bread for a complete meal.

Create a Spring Pasta Dish

We all know pasta is a versatile and easy weeknight dinner option. Why not ditch the marinara sauce and make a lighter meal using seasonal vegetables.  They’ll add a pop of color and flavor to your dish while welcoming your taste buds to a fresh new beginning.

Think pasta primavera, an italian dish which literally means spring pasta. It is traditionally made with a combination of the earliest vegetables available in spring — asparagus, peas and spring onions — making it a vibrant and delicious celebration of the season. 

Creamy pesto made with fresh herbs or lemon garlic sauce can bring a refreshing twist to your pasta dish. Want a heartier dish? Add some protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for a more robust meal.

Make a Spring Pizza

Pizza is always a fun and easy weeknight dinner option. You can use store bought pizza dough, cauliflower crusts, pita bread or even precooked bread doughs in the shape of pizza crusts. 

Experiment with seasonal vegetables like artichokes, mushrooms, spinach and cherry tomatoes. You can also use fresh herbs like basil and oregano to add some extra flavor.

A light tomato sauce or pesto can be used as the base, and you can top it with a variety of cheeses or grilled chicken for a more filling meal.

Get the whole family involved in the cooking process. Let everyone shape their own crusts and add their own toppings. This is a great way to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. They can’t object to the toppings if they pick the ones they want to eat! Win win all around.

Toss a Spring Salad

Spring is the perfect time to indulge in fresh, crisp salads.

Experiment with different combinations of lettuce, vegetables, fruits, and nuts to create a colorful and healthy salad.

Try incorporating seasonal produce like asparagus, strawberries, and radishes.

A delicious dressing can take your salad to the next level. A simple lemon vinaigrette or a honey mustard dressing are both great options.

white fork and knife inside a purple heart

All of the above spring meals are quick and easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy moms who want to serve their family healthy and flavorful weeknight dinners especially on those nights when you’re just itching to order in but know you shouldn’t.

When your dinners are done with speed and ease, you’ll have more time to find joy in the later sunsets. Playing with plants in the soil and getting your hands dirty is completely optional.

Happy cooking to all.

Looking for some quick and easy food prep hacks to go with your meal plan? You’ll find them HERE

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Tired Of Being Bored With Your  Weeknight Dinner Routine?

🤔 We all know how hard it is to constantly come up with healthy meal ideas …  and then find the time to actually cook them!

That’s exactly why I put together this ridiculously easy- Tasty Sauces, Marinades and Salad Dressings Recipe Guide. It will help you add oomph and variety to  your dinner routine in no time flat.

These recipes will work with almost every type of diet … all you have to do is choose the ingredients based on your tastes and preferences!

Want a copy? Just click below and tell me where to send it. Grab your free digital copy now!  ⬇️⬇️