In-Season Recipes

In-Season Eating: Three Dishes that Celebrate the Tastes of Spring

Experience the fresh flavors of spring with these three delightful dishes. Eating in-season produce not only benefits your taste buds but is also better for your health, the environment, and your wallet.

by KAREN KELLY

Strawberry Tart with Chocolate Filling

Ingredients

CRUST

2/3 cup gluten-free oat flour

1/3 cup almond flour

1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats

5 Tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

2 Tablespoons almond milk or espresso cold brew

FILLING

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sliced strawberries for topping

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Spray a tart pan with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a food processor, add all crust ingredients and pulse a few times until it begins to come together. Add more or less almond milk as needed.

3. Press the crust into a tart pan making sure to push it up onto the sides. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Using a hand mixer, blend the cream cheese, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Blend for a few minutes until mixed well.

5. After the crust is cool, fill it with the cream cheese mixture. Smooth out the top with an offset spatula. 6. Top with sliced strawberries. Store in the refrigerator.

Makes 8 servings PER SERVING 257 calories, 28.9 g fat, 5.5 g protein, 1.1 g fiber, 21 g carbohydrates, 16.6 g sugar

Arugula and Berry Salad

Ingredients

SALAD

4 cups arugula

1/2 cup sliced strawberries

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup marcona almonds

DRESSING

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.2

. In a separate small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together or alternatively, put them in a jar and shake well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Dress salad and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings PER SERVING 214 calories, 18.8 g fat, 3.5 g protein, 3.2 g fiber, 10.9 g carbohydrates, 6.3 g sugar

Lemon Garlic Roasted Salmon

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets

3 Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoon maple syrup 3 garlic cloves, chopped Juice from half a lemon

3 lemon slices

Salt and pepper Parsley and lemon wedges (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. In a small bowl, add the olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk briskly.

3. Place salmon fillets on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Pour the mixture over the salmon and spread with a spoon. Place one or two lemon slices on top of the salmon.

5. Cook for about 12–15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through.

6. Remove lemon slices and preheat broiler to high. Broil salmon for 3–4 minutes to get some caramelization on top.

7. Serve immediately with parsley and additional lemon wedges.

Makes 4 servings PER SERVING 347 calories, 21.6 g fat, 34.8 g protein, .3 g fiber, 5.7 g carbohydrates, 4.6 g sugar