The weather boasts of vibrant flowers, tender green leaves and there is a sweet breeze in the air; that’s spring for you. Nature blooms during springtime but it also brings along fresh fruits and vegetables with it. From green veggies and herbs, to delicious fruits - there’s always something fresh that makes you want to utilize them to the fullest. We have selected a few recipes that make full use of these seasonal produce and give you the most delicious dishes at the end! There’s sweet, savoury, creamy; literally any variety you might want to prepare.
Ricotta Gnocchi With Garlic and Walnuts
Ingredients:
For Gnocchi:- 2 cups of ricotta
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 to 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (for surface and if needed; extra)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of freshly ground pepper
- ¼ cups walnuts, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation:
- Add the egg yolk and ricotta in a big mixing container. Combine 1 cup flour, Parmesan cheese, spinach, basil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Don't overmix; just fold until the dough is soft but not sticky. Add the last 2 to 4 tablespoons of flour and fold as necessary.
- Dust a large baking sheet with flour. Roll the dough into two logs, each about 8 inches long and 1 inch broad, using lightly floured hands. Slice the dough into 1-inch pieces, place it on the prepared baking sheet, and then chill it for 30 minutes with a loose plastic cover.
- In the meantime, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir for 2 minutes after adding the walnuts. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute, until the garlic is golden brown and the nuts are just beginning to toast, then turn off the heat.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt, add the gnocchi, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, just until all have risen to the top, then cook for another minute.
- Transfer the gnocchi to the skillet with the walnuts using a large slotted spoon, gently tossing to coat. If preferred, top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Rhubarb Sticky Buns
Ingredients:
For the Batter:- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb (thawed if using frozen)
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- Rhubarb compote/ raspberry compote (optional)
Preparation:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and butter until crumbly. Add the rhubarb and stir. Spoon evenly into twelve muffin cups that have been thoroughly buttered; set aside.
- Combine the sugar and butter in a big bowl and whisk until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg to the creamed mixture in batches, mixing thoroughly.
- Pour the rhubarb mixture into cups until three-fourths of them are filled.
- A toothpick should come out clean after 15 to 20 minutes of baking at 350°. After 5 minutes of cooling, flip onto a platter. Serve when still heated. You can add some rhubarb or raspberry compote on top before digging in (optional).
Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 small head of cauliflower
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup low fat cheddar cheese, grated
- Olive oil spray
- Tomato paste/ Marinara sauce
- Yellow bell pepper, sliced
- Red onion, sliced
- ⅓ cup of mozzarella cheese, grated
- Few chives, chopped
- ⅓ cup of boiled corn
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Put the paper in the oven to heat it after spraying it with olive oil spray.
- Remove the cauliflower stalk and cut the cauliflower florets.
- In a food processor, grate the cauliflower until it looks like rice.
- After putting it in a microwave-safe container and covering it with plastic wrap, cook it for eight minutes.
- Let the cauliflower cool before pouring it into a tea towel.
- Wring out the water from the tea towel until the cauliflower looks dry. Transfer to a bowl.
- Then, using your hands, combine the remaining ingredients. Put the dough on the baking tray and use your hands to flatten it into the shape of a pizza.
- Bake until golden brown; depending on your oven, this may take 10 to 20 minutes, so it's best to watch it closely. Once taken out of the oven, let it cool a little.
- Add your preferred toppings on top, such as tomato paste/ marinara sauce, red capsicum, red onion, corn, grated mozzarella cheese, and a few fresh chives.
- Bake in the oven until the topping has melted to your desired consistency and the crusts are brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then cut into slices and serve.
Sheet Pan Spinach Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 14 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups jarred marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 cup parmesan, grated
- Fresh basil, chopped
Preparation:
- The lasagna noodles should be broken into 2-inch pieces and then boiled in accordance with the package's al dente recommendations. After draining, set the noodles aside.
- The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F. Apply non-stick cooking spray to a 12-by-17-inch sheet pan.
- Add the spinach to a medium skillet and cook over medium heat. The spinach will simmer down and wilt after two to three minutes.
- Combine the cooked spinach and ricotta cheese in a medium bowl. To taste, add salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the sausage and ground beef until they are no longer pink. Cook the shallot and garlic for three minutes, or until they are soft.
- The marinara should be added to the skillet after any extra grease has been removed.
- Mix in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt & pepper to taste.
- After the lasagna noodles are cooked, add the meat sauce and mix to thoroughly coat the noodles. Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and stir.
- After the baking sheet is ready, pour the meat and noodle mixture onto it. Distribute it evenly across the pan.
- Top the lasagna with spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture.
- Finally, top with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- The cheese should be browned and bubbling after 35 minutes of baking uncovered.
- Let the lasagna cool before serving and adding some fresh basil as a garnish.
Article
Be the first comment
Elite Article