When you think of April, you think of fresh, crisp, newly ripened foods. It is spring, after all – the time of renewal. Just as you see fresh, brightly-colored flowers blooming, fresh fruits and veggies are appearing everywhere, too. 

Perhaps now would be a wonderful time for you to incorporate some of these into your weekly recipe rotation. Taking advantage of the produce in season doesn’t only mean that you will get the freshest variety available, but it also means you may be getting higher levels of the good stuff, like vitamin C, folate, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. 

So, what sorts of fresh April recipes can we explore this month? We’ve got 7 of them.

1. Egg and Lettuce Salad

When the sun is shining high, and you need something filling but not heavy, egg and lettuce salad is a great choice. Fluffy butterhead lettuce and perfectly soft-boiled eggs make up the bulk of this salad. Fried onions are the only other ingredient found in the salad. 

You may think this is an awfully simplistic salad, but that is because the depth of it comes from the dressing itself. It is a combination of oil, peanut butter, fish sauce, lime juice, and bouillon of your choice. It’s sure to delight.

2. Feta and Spring Onion-Stuffed Potato Skins

Who says you can’t have comfort food when the temperatures are soaring outside? You can create this Persian recipe that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside – while still keeping it light. These potatoes are creamy and crispy and can be transformed based on ingredients you have at home already. That’s the best part.

As for the recipe, it is so easy. You bake the potatoes, then slice them in half and scoop out the tasty insides – and make mashed potatoes. Stir in tarragon, feta, onion, garlic, etc. and then put it back in the potato skins and bake it in the oven again.

They can be a great side dish or a meal on their own. Experiment with different fillings and see what you come up with!

3. Birria Tacos

The meat in these tacos is a combination of short ribs and chuck roast, giving it a delightful taste and texture. Both are slow-cooked in a fragrant adobo sauce for hours until tender. What sets these tacos apart from others is that the tortilla is dipped in the adobo sauce and then put in the pan to fry on the range before adding some meat and folding it over. Top the birria tacos with a mixture of chopped onion and cilantro.

These are great to make when you have spring get-togethers or when you need to feed a crowd without making a sit-down dinner.

4. Turmeric Chicken Kebabs

Hanging out by the grill this spring? You don’t have to stick to the boring old burgers and dogs. You can switch it up with something delicious that will keep you coming back for more—flavors of turmeric, lime, and honey form an intoxicating marinade. Once your chicken sits in this for a couple of hours or even overnight, you will skew the chicken and place it on the grill. Serve it with a side of sweet chili – or whatever your favorite condiment is. Though, really, it is just great on its own!

5. Lemon Garlic Grilled Cod

Sticking outside by the grill, we’ve got another recipe that will send your taste buds into overdrive. Cod is a light, flaky fish that you will keep moist with a garlic oil mix. Continue to brush the cod with this mixture while it is cooking. 

Take your lemons and cut them in half. They are to be placed on the grill, and cut side down until they are well charred. Then, once the cod is done being grilled, you will squeeze the lemons over it to give it a nice lemony flavor.  

This dish offers a light fish with a bold flavor. Pair it with any side you wish – just keep it cool.

6. Ginger and Preserved Lemon Crab Spaghetti

This British dish is easy to make, but the multiple layers make it seem much more intricate. Use the pasta of your choosing, like spaghetti or linguine. Then you cook up crab in a pan with garlic, ginger, preserved lemon, and chili flakes. Toss it in the pan with the pasta along with creme fraiche. Top it off with lemon zest and juice and a few sprinkles of parsley. 

It is light and filling – and all the flavors blend so well together. It’s sure to be a hit. 

7. Lemon Drizzle Cake

Lemon and cake are two words that deserve to be together – especially on your table in April. This simple, light dessert is very lemony, but it gets broken up by the crunch of the drizzle. With just a few simple everyday ingredients, you can create something spectacular that likely won’t stick around long. 

This lemon drizzle cake is the perfect way to end a beautiful April evening. 

Creating Your Own Recipes

If you know your way around a kitchen, then why not try creating your own recipes? You can take advantage of the longer days by experimenting with the fruits and vegetables that are in season and creating all sorts of light, fresh meals you and your family will love. 

The following is a list of the fresh produce you will want to be on the lookout for:

• Beets 
• Peas
• Mangoes
• Apples
• Lemons
• Cabbage
• Artichokes
• Cauliflower
• Pineapple
• Strawberries
• Asparagus
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Blueberries
• Greens
• Leeks
• Mushrooms
• Vidalia onions
• Broccoli
• Bok choy

There are so many outstanding dishes you can make if you just get creative and think outside the box. You may just surprise yourself at what you cook up!

Enjoy Fresh April Recipes this Spring

Food is delicious and nourishing – especially when we take the time to cook some amazing recipes at home using fresh ingredients. Enjoy all that April and spring have brought into your kitchen. Whether it is one of these recipes or something else, there is no doubt that you’ve got a lot of flavor in your future. Enjoy!