Inspire New Recipes for Spring 2019

Spring is finally here and I'm ready to celebrate. We're moving away from "comfort food" we devoured during the winter season and instead, we're transitioning to refreshing food for a warm spring day. We're introducing more vegetables and bright colors--because we deserve fun, flavorful food after the long winter 2019 season.

Because Easter is in a few weeks, many of these recipes are appropriate for the upcoming holiday. You can bring these dishes to family gatherings or church social lunches after services. You won't disappoint anyone with these recipes.

You can also bring these dishes to a family picnic, or you can enjoy them at home while eating outside on the back porch patio. Take a chance with these recipes. Who knows? You might even inspire others to make their own versions at the next social event of the season.

1. Bruschetta Pizza 

Bruschetta pizza (photo/Kasy Long).

I love pizza. My grandfather didn't like pizza and I could never understand how that was possible. He said, "You might as well eat cardboard with tomato sauce." Regardless of what he thought, I have always loved pizza and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Sure, you can make traditional pizza with pepperoni or sausage. That's fine, but there are plenty of ways to enhance an ordinary slice of pizza. One way is to add bright vegetables--making a Bruschetta pizza. This recipe doesn't have tomato sauce, which is a nice change. Instead, the pizza calls for a combination of tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and feta cheese (which adds a salty kick). This beautifully flavorful mixture, baked with mozzarella cheese, will inspire you to have a pizza and movie night sometime this spring season.

To bake this pizza, you will need the following ingredients for the Bruschetta mix:

• 3 medium tomatoes, diced with the seeds removed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. fresh parsley, minced
• Salt & pepper, to taste 

You will need the following ingredients for the herb mixture (your sauce): 

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 

NOTE: You can buy a pre-made herb mixture at your local grocery store, if that is easier for you and your budget. 

Finally, you will need the following ingredients for the pizza assembly: 

• 1 recipe pizza dough (Any pizza dough will work for this recipe. Go with what you are comfortable with. If you need to, you can also buy pre-made pizza dough at your local grocery store.) 
• 1/2 block mozzarella cheese, grated 

Bruschetta pizza (photo/Kasy Long).

To begin, preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Mix the ingredients for the Bruschetta in a medium-sized bowl and set aside. Then, combine the ingredients for the herb mixture in a small bowl and set aside. 

Roll out the pizza dough until it is the size of your baking pan and then transfer to said pan. Lightly brush the herb mixture over the dough and spread evenly. Make sure to spread up onto the crush so that it will bake up nice and golden brown. 

Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the herb mixture. Next, add the Bruschetta mixture. Finally, top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. 

Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the crust has turned golden brown. Once baked, sprinkle the feta cheese on top and lightly press it into the cheese. Slice, serve, and enjoy! 

2. Creamy Potatoes & Peas 

Creamy potatoes and peas (photo/Kasy Long).

For Easter, most people focus on the main dish, either a large ham, a roasted turkey, or a sizzling duck. But don't forget about the side dishes that make your Easter dinner extra special. A good selection of side dishes offers a variety of tastes, colors, and textures that complement the main dish. Without the side dishes, your meal would feel flat, and no one wants that to happen.

A bowl of creamy potatoes and peas is probably the easiest and most common side dish you could offer for your Easter dinner. It's comfort food, but the fresh peas also offer a taste of spring flavors directly from someone's garden.

To prepare this dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• 6-8 potatoes, cubed (I used regular Idaho potatoes, but you can also use red potatoes.)
• 3-4 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1 c. milk (I used skim milk.)
• 1 c. peas, fresh or frozen
• Salt & pepper, to taste 

To begin, boil the potatoes in salted water for approximately 10-15 minutes until just done or fork tender. This step will depend on the size of your potato cubes. You don't want the potatoes to get overdone or they will get mushy. 

Drain the potatoes and set them aside. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly add the flour and stir until the flour and butter mixture becomes creamy. Then, slowly add the milk and whisk constantly until the mixture becomes smooth. You want it to be a gravy consistency, so you can add more milk if it becomes too thick. 

Add salt and pepper, to taste. Then, add the peas and bring to a slight simmer. Finally, carefully pour the creamy mixture with the peas onto the potatoes until the potatoes become well covered. Enjoy! 

3. Spring Rice Krispie Treats 

You need to bring a fun snack with you to an Easter dinner. Why not try these spring marshmallow Rice Krispie treats? They're made with crispy rice cereal, marshmallows, and pastel M&M's. They're easy to make and perfect for a quick snack or dessert. Your family and friends will love them! 

Rice Krispie treats (photo/Kasy Long).

To prepare this treat, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 6 c. Rice Krispies, or any other type of crisp rice cereal 
• 1 10-oz. bag of your favorite brand of mini-marshmallows
• 5 Tbsp. butter
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 
• Pastel M&M's 

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and mini-marshmallows over low heat. Stir frequently until the marshmallows have melted. Stir in the vanilla extract and remove from heat. 

Then, add the cereal, one cup at a time, and stir after each cup has been added. When the cereal is fully mixed with the marshmallows, spoon into a buttered 9x13 baking pan. Set aside to cool. 

When the mixture is slightly cool, press in the M&M's and set aside, covered, until the Rice Krispie treats are firm. Enjoy! 

4. Baked Chicken Sandwich 

Baked chicken sandwich (photo/Kasy Long).

For Christmas, I received Kate Young's The Little Library Cookbook, which features 100 recipes inspired by literary works. A few weeks ago, I tried Young's recipe for a baked chicken sandwich, inspired by J.D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey. This dish (drizzled with sweet peppercorn sauce) is perfect for a spring picnic. Pair the sandwich with French fries, chips, an apple, or a cookie, and you have a nice meal on a warm spring day. Of course, I added my own variations to Young's recipe, so I hope you enjoy my adjustments. 

To prepare this dish, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 1 chicken breast (This recipe makes one sandwich, but you can add more chicken breasts, depending on your serving size.)
• 2 celery ribs
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled 
• 2 yellow onions, peeled
• 5 black peppercorns (You may also buy a pre-made peppercorn dressing.) 
• 8 1/2 c. water 
• 2 slices of white bread
• Butter, for spreading 

To begin, bake the chicken breast between 375 and 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until no pink in the chicken. Set the chicken aside. Roughly chop the celery ribs, yellow onions, and garlic and add them to a large saucepan. Add the peppercorns and pour over the water. 

Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a slow simmer and cook without a lid until the vegetables are nice and tender. Turn off the heat and set the sauce aside. 

Peel the chicken flesh from the bones and shred. Discard the skin, which will be flabby. Then, prepare your sandwich with two slices of white bread, a scrape of butter, and layer the shredded chicken and peppercorn sauce to your preference. You may also add lettuce and tomato for an extra special treat. Pair with potato chips and a pickle, and you're good to go. Enjoy! 

5. Glazed Orange-Lemon Monkey Bread 

Glazed orange-lemon monkey bread (photo/Kasy Long).

Newsflash: Dessert doesn't just have to be chocolate. Yes, there's nothing better than chocolate chip cookies or a slice of chocolate cake. But we shouldn't ignore the other delicious dessert options. There are plenty of bright, flavorful desserts to devour during the spring season, including this recipe for glazed orange-lemon monkey bread. 

I have to be honest: This was my first time attempting to make monkey bread on my own. I love monkey bread and whenever someone offers it to me, I happily take a slice. The sweet glaze complements the bread so well. 

At first, I was skeptical of trying this recipe. Even though I regularly cook new recipes, I still get nervous that I'm going to make a mistake. I'm going to forget an important step in the recipe and ruin the dish. Luckily, that didn't happen with this dish or else I wouldn't be recommending it to you! But maybe this is proof that you should try new things. It's okay to get scared, but don't let that fear stop you from trying something you want to do. I really wanted to make this glazed orange-lemon monkey bread, so I tried it, and I loved the sweet and tangy flavors. 

This is the perfect dessert to bring to an Easter dinner or a spring social gathering. It's a simple dessert, but one that everyone will recognize and enjoy. 

To bake this dessert, you will need the following ingredients for the monkey bread: 

• 1 pkg. Pillsbury orange rolls (You can later add the orange icing, if you prefer.)
• 4 Tbsp. butter, melted 
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 4 tsp. grated lemon zest (about 2 lemons)

You will need the following ingredients for the glaze:

• 1 c. powdered sugar 
• 3-4 Tbsp. milk (I used skim milk.)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

To begin, separate the orange rolls and form into one-inch balls. Add the melted butter in a small mixing bowl. In another bowl, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until well combined. 

Glazed orange-lemon monkey bread (photo/Kasy Long).

Dip the rolls into the melted butter and then into the sugar and lemon zest. Grease with cooking spray a small bundt pan and arrange the rolls into two layers around the pan. If you don't own a bundt pan, you can improvise with a round baking dish. Make a round ring with aluminum foil and place in the middle of the baking dish. Arrange the rolls around the aluminum foil and then add a second layer.  

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Mix together the glaze ingredients until well combined and smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the monkey bread ring. You can add orange zest on top. Enjoy! 

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I didn't invent these recipes, but I made adjustments. These are my versions, so I hope you enjoy these recipes with your friends and family. Try these for the Easter holiday, or for a spring picnic. There's nothing better than sitting outside on a warm spring day and eating a crispy chicken sandwich or a slice of orange-lemon monkey bread. Spring has finally arrived, so let's enjoy the food that is associated with the bright season. 

-KJL-