Spring has sprung, and it’s time to shake off the winter blues with a delightful dining duo that screams freshness! Get ready for a vibrant spring soup and a crunchy salad that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
Spring Pea and Mint Soup
This dazzling, dreamy soup is a flavor explosion and only takes 30 minutes to whip up!
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Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic and let them get all cozy for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle simmer
3. Add those peas and cook for another 5 minutes until they're tender
4. Stir in the mint and then take it off the heat—don’t forget to breathe in that fresh aroma!
5. Blend it up until silky smooth, then mix in the cream or coconut milk, season it with salt and pepper, and serve warm with a minty garnish.
Spring Strawberry and Asparagus Salad
Bright, crunchy, and bursting with spring goodness, this salad is a flavor fiesta of sweet, tangy, and nutty!
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Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces or shaved
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 4 cups arugula
- 1 bunch of mint, rinsed, picked and ripped into large pieces
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction (glaze), balsamic vinegar is ok to use but add a large pinch of sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Boil some water and give the asparagus a quick 2-minute bath. Drain and chill it to keep it crisp!
2. In a big bowl, arugula, mint, asparagus, strawberries, feta (if using), and nuts
3. In a tiny bowl, whisk together balsamic glaze, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until it’s well blended - a blender works beautifully but makes more dishes. Life's a trade off.
4. Drizzle that dressing over the salad, toss it gently, and serve it up right away!
These two tasty recipes make for a light yet oh-so-satisfying meal, perfect for toasting to the flavors of spring. Dig in and enjoy the deliciousness!
