Belinda's favourite foods for spring cooking

Spring has nearly sprung and with a new season comes a new opportunity to try new recipes with summery ingredients. These are my go-to ingredients for spring – they help me create fresh, light, flavoursome meals that you and your family will love.

From Belinda x

Asparagus

The arrival of asparagus marks a change in the year for me... it says spring is here! It’s so simple to cook – delicious on its own with butter and salt, or in a tart for a springtime lunch or light supper that’s bound to impress.

New Potatoes

Spring would not be spring without the smell of new potatoes bubbling away with a handful of fresh mint and a pinch of salt added. My favourite varieties are Charlotte and Maris Piper, but all are delicious. Don’t forget to butter and salt them generously before eating and toss in a good handful of fresh chopped mint or chives.

 Spring onion

Spring onions are delicious scattered over a crisp green salad or used in cooking. Finely sliced spring onions with garlic and ginger is a lovely flavour combination. I like to scatter them over almost finished dish – chicken or fish work particularly well – as a seasoning. So useful!

Garlic and Lemon

Spring is a time when we want to spend more time outdoors and less time in the kitchen slaving over elaborate dishes. Garlic and lemon can turn a simple meal into something special, especially when you’re cooking chicken. Don’t forget how irresistible garlic bread is with a piece of grilled chicken – and a squirt of lemon juice just finishes it off nicely.

Herbs 

My top fresh herbs to have in the fridge for springtime are mint and tarragon.  Tarragon goes very well with chicken dishes, and mint lifts new potatoes and salads – it’s also great in dressings. I always have a bottle of dried Herbs De Provence in my store cupboard as well, just in case.

Here are a few of my favourite chicken recipes for spring. Enjoy!