Springtime calls for fresh fruits and veggies and anything that feels clean, bright and cheery! So many yummy foods are ripe and in season like some of our favorites: strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, spinach, and artichokes. We picked quick and simple recipes that include all of them! They are even beautiful looking, good enough to make the kiddos want some. What is not to love about that?

Here are the 3 quick, healthy and delicious recipes to add a touch of Spring to your cooking this season:

Berries and Banana Fruit Salad

berries-banana-fruit-salad

By: Simply Recipes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast your eyes on this fast breakfast or lunch choice. The strawberries, blueberries and bananas together with apple topped with honey and lemon juice will make your mouth water. 
Prep time: 15 minutes  Yield: Serves 6-8


INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups hulled, roughly chopped strawberries
  • A handful of raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, roughly chopped
  • 2 bananas, peeled and thickly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey

DIRECTIONS

Prep the berries before the bananas and apples, and add them to a large bowl.

As soon as you add the bananas and apples, sprinkle lemon juice over them to keep them from getting brown.

Add the zest and the honey and gently toss to combine.

Serve immediately. Or cover and chill for up to 2 hours before serving.

 

Strawberry Spinach Salad

spring strawberry salad with chicken

By: Our Best Bites and Stephanie Jones

A delicious salad that has a little bit of everything fresh strawberries, spinach and chicken along with a lemon poppyseed dressing that is to die for.

Yield: 6

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 10-oz. bag fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2-1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium cucumber, seeded and sliced (you can peel it first if you want)
  • 1 pint strawberries, sliced
  • 1 c. sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 recipe Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
    1/2 lb. grilled chicken breasts, sliced or diced (optional)

DIRECTIONS: 

Toss ingredients together and serve immediately.  You can also arrange the ingredients on individual plates for serving.

 

 

 

Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce

chicken-bacon-artichoke-pasta

By: Iowa Girl Eats

When you are feeling like both pasta and pizza this recipe will satisfy your craving! Its creamy deliciousness is full of chicken, artichokes, bacon yumminess.

Yield: 6

INGREDIENTS

12oz penne pasta, dry
1/4lb bacon (4 slices,) chopped
1lb chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces salt and pepper
1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1/4 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes
5oz baby spinach

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 Tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour

1-1/2 cups milk (I used 2%) 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain then set aside.
  2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate
    then discard all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease. Add chicken to the skillet then season with salt and pepper and saute until no longer pink. Add artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes then saute until warmed through, 3-4 minutes. Add spinach then flip with tongs until wilted, 1-2 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile melt butter in extra virgin olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic then saute for 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour then whisk until smooth and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stream in milk and chicken broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir until thick and bubbly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
    Combine pasta, chicken and artichoke mixture, sauce, and bacon then scoop and serve.