Seasonal recipes that the whole family will enjoy

Spring is one of our favorite seasons for food and cooking. Out of the depths of heavy winter meals meant to warm us from the inside out, spring brings the fresh, bright flavors of plant-forward meals. From pea shoot salads to citrusy fish, coconut granola to decadent strawberries, the expert chefs at our senior living communities in Texas have compiled some incredible recipes to try this spring.

So buckle up fellow Texans, and give some of these creative recipes a try. Whether sharing with loved ones or meal prepping for a busy week, we’re sure you’ll find something delicious that will become a quick seasonal favorite!

Pea Shoot Salad

Tender pea shoots are the young greens of the pea plant, and they are delicious in this pea shoot salad! Somewhat sweet and incredibly juicy, these leaves and shoots are a great alternative to traditional lettuces, and offer some fantastic health benefits. Pea shoots are a great source of antioxidants and pair well with peppery radishes, healthy fats, and other flavorful veggies. This salad recipe from Food & Wine mixes pea shoots with radishes, toasted hazelnuts (releasing intense flavor from this tasty nut), and tangy dijon mustard. A salad sure to please even the most anti-salad dinner guests, we can’t recommend this dish enough!

Coconut Granola

Perfect for snacking on the hiking trail, or in the garden as fuel while planting perennials, granola is as synonymous with the term “outdoorsy” as hiking enthusiasts are. But there’s a reason people reach for this tasty snack time and again. Not only is it delicious, but it offers a fantastic source of fiber, healthy fats, and of course flavor.

While we love a bowl of granola (hot or cold), with milk and fruit, there’s something about this coconut granola that makes it great for eating by the handful on the go. Packed with nuts like almonds and pecans, and sweetened with maple syrup, this treat embraces the warm weather of spring with toasty coconut flakes. Chunks of oats speckled with dried fruit (we love apricots and dried strawberries), the coconut flavor still claims the spotlight in this recipe.

Citrus Fish

We love a good fish dish just like anyone else, but it’s so easy to get into a rut when it comes to cooking it. Salmon with lemon or rosemary, while delicious, can get a little repetitive. We love this light, citrusy spin on salmon, mixing lemon, lime, and orange to brighten up the omega3-rich fatty fish, and paprika and pepper to bring a little heat. Baking it in the oven offers a bit of warmth on those chilly spring days, but it still feels light and spring appropriate with the citrus and parsley. Consider pairing this entree with a side of citrus-glazed peppers, roasted potatoes, or a heart-healthy kale salad.

Strawberry Galette

Arguably one of the most popular spring and summer foods, strawberries are a true delight to add to any meal. While this strawberry galette is definitely one of those once-in-a-while treats, we still love adding in a sweet treat to splurge on every once in a while. Wrapped in a galette–a rustic pastry based French dish–sweet strawberries and blueberries are the star of this dish. Consider swapping out the blueberries for raspberries, peaches, or even figs for a little twist on this recipe. Loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, magnesium, and many other vitamins and minerals, strawberries are not only a treat, but beneficial for your health as well. Serve up this galette plain, or dot some fresh whipped cream on it. Another option is to drizzle a little yogurt and honey over the top for a calcium and probiotics boost!

We hope you found a new recipe to try and share with your loved ones, especially those at our over 55 communities in Texas. We love sharing new dishes with our entire community. Let us know if you wind up trying one of these delicious recipes!

If you’re interested in touring our communities, whether virtually or in person, please give us a call!

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