Who doesn’t love the fact that spring’s getting closer and closer? Not that you don’t enjoy warm winter soups, homemade cookies, or hot coffees by the fireplace and snugging in your cozy blankets, but spring amazingly makes flowers and trees bloom, brings the nicest weather ever, and of course, some delicious traditional spring dishes that you can enjoy by yourself or with your loved ones.
Refreshing meals like salads, seafood, and vegetable dishes are always the most cherished plates during spring. You can’t even begin to imagine a picnic or barbecue session without the seasonal fruit desserts of spring.
To give exciting twists to the classic spring dishes, discover new flavors in your existing recipes with smoked spices, such as salt or oregano spices, and start off the season with a kick! Here’s a list of ideas to spice up your spring dishes:
- Put Your Vegetables On The Grill
After the winter season, when all your desires revolve around being indoors and as near the heat as possible, the best way to welcome the spring is with an outdoor activity. Nothing says spring like a backyard barbecue with your family, friends, or that special someone. Instead of sticking to the typical meat meals like burgers, organize a unique evening with your loved ones and try grilling seasonal vegetables like asparagus, eggplant, or potatoes. But that’s not all—while grilling your veggies, add your favorite smoked spices to really bring out the flavor. You’ll be surprised how tasty it can be!
- Taste Some Abroad Refreshing Drinks
Spring is a perfect reminder that life’s constantly renewing itself and that your imagination and curiosity are the perfect roots to grow your interests from. To truly celebrate the arrival of the blooming season, a lemonade can’t be missing from your spring list. Not just any lemonade though—prepare Sima! This Finnish spring mead is a lemonade with a twist; it’s lightly fermented. You can enjoy this beverage with floating raisins and some smoked rosemary to add a unique touch!
Nevertheless, be warned: the longer Sima ferments, the more it’s possible to go from slightly bubbly to a bit intoxicating. So, just be careful and you’re well on your way to celebrate the arrival of spring the Finnish way!
- Spinach Will Be Your Best Friend
How many times have you ignored your mother’s wish to eat her broccoli or spinach meals? Quite a few times for sure. Prepare yourself as things are about to change!
For the ideal brunch or for an easy supper when you arrive late from work, delight yourself in spinach and ricotta pie with spring vegetables. It’s very easy to make! It’s also great for picnics because of its lightness, plus it’s easy to carry around. Blow your friend’s mind by adding smoked cumin to the preparation! It’ll mix perfectly with the spinach’s flavor.
- The Perfect Spring Cookie Isn’t A Chocolate Cookie
Are you shocked? It’s not that they aren’t delicious (because they are) or out of fashion. But haven’t you been eating chocolate cookies since forever? This spring is the perfect time to explore new traditions and nourish your palate with delicious flavors that you never thought you’d fall in love with before.
Substitute the all-time loved chocolate cookies with lemon bars instead, and to make it extra flavorful, add smoked cinnamon on top. Now you’re ready to enjoy your new favorite afternoon tea snack! Moreover, it works as a beautiful gift for your loved ones; slice the bar into squares, rectangles, or triangles, choose a decorated box to pack them in, and surprise them with a thoughtfully wrapped, exquisite lemon bar!
- Reinvent Your Spring Rolls
There’s never a more inspiring time than the spring season. This can apply to many aspects in life: starting a new business, changing your furniture completely from the ground up, and your soon-to-be favorite spring activity—creating new recipes and mixing flavors you know you love.
Here’s a suggestion: try making traditional, fresh spring rolls made with steamed buns. Simply combine your chosen ingredients from two traditional food items or recipes to create your own recipe. There are no rules, it’s all up to you! However, to really innovate this creation, we suggest adding smoked crushed red pepper to your list of ingredients to spice things up!
Conclusion
Now that the days are longer, the sky is brighter than ever, and the shining sun transforms the outside of your home into a gorgeous picnic spot, there’s no reason to lock yourself at home and limit your options to old recipes when you want to grab a bite. The lighter and easier it is to make your meal, the more you’d be enjoying the beginning of the spring. More importantly, modifying traditional dishes with your favorite smoked spices will enhance their flavor, and perhaps even the way you live your life.
