30 Fast and Fresh Spring Dinners

June 01, 2012
Blaine Moats

Our spring recipes highlight the flavors of vegetables, citrus, fresh herbs and more.

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Chicken and Asparagus Risotto

Blaine Moats
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Don't be afraid to try this Italian classic at home! Our hearty version is made with convenient rotisserie chicken and loaded with asparagus, herbs and lemony flavor. 

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Spring Scampi with Chives

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These garlicky, lemony shrimp come together in just 15 minutes for a speedy weeknight dinner. Serve with crusty bread for mopping up the luscious butter sauce. 

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Garden Veggie Linguine with Cilantro Pesto

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You can customize this linguine recipe by substituting other in-season vegetables and herbs, such as asparagus, snap peas, spinach or mustard greens, tarragon and basil. 

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Lemon-Avocado Chicken Salad

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Avocado adds luscious richness to this bright, citrusy chicken salad. Be sure to toss the ingredients gently so the avocado doesn't blend in completely. 

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Spring Revival Couscous Salad with Filet Mignon

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Lean and tender steaks crown a bright, lemony salad made with asparagus, peas and couscous. The recipe comes from chef Michael Ollier, of Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio. He calls for generous 8-ounce steaks; for budget or dietary reasons, you may want to use a more modest 4-ounce steak. Just reduce the grilling time accordingly.

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Spanish Rice with Chicken and Shrimp

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This quick and easy recipe from a Southgate, Michigan reader starts with a package of rice pilaf mix. You can have this main dish on the table in about 30 minutes.

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Spring Pork and Noodles

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Seasonal veggies, pork and soy sauce dressing flavor this bright-tasting chilled noodle dish. Make this easy main dish ahead of time so it's ready for a light weekday dinner.

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Kimchi Fried Rice

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Wisconsin blogger Alice Choi (Hip Foodie Mom) says this weeknight-easy recipe is the perfect gateway into cooking Korean at home. All the ingredients can be found at a large urban supermarket, or at Asian grocery stores.

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Pork Chops with Curried Plum Glaze and Grilled Plums

This fruity spin on barbecued pork chops is special enough for company but ready in less than 45 minutes. For a complete meal, pair the recipe with a rice salad or simple steamed green beans or broccoli.Pork Chops with Curried Plum Glaze and Grilled Plums

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Lemon-Basil Pasta

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Lemon, basil and olive oil form a pestolike sauce to complement the linguine and kidney beans. From start to finish, this five-ingredient dinner takes only 25 minutes.

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Easy Spring Gravy

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We created this ready-in-10 gravy to jazz up purchased deli-roasted chicken. Add steamed veggies and mashed potatoes, and you have dinner!

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Waldorf Chicken Salad

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All the traditional Waldorf ingredients are here: apple, grapes, walnuts, celery and mayo. This is a great choice to pack for weekday lunches.

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Gingered Beef and Broccoli Salad Bowl

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Use a wok or skillet to stir-fry sirloin steak strips and broccoli. Combine with salad greens, chopped sweet pepper and bottled ginger vinaigrette salad dressing for a meal that's on the table in 20 minutes.

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Cheesy Chicken-Broccoli Crepe Bake

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Crepes meet casserole in a family-friendly recipe that starts with rotisserie chicken; if you sub purchased crepes (or make our whole wheat ones ahead), it's quick enough for a weeknight.

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Spring Pasta with Morels, Ramps and Peas

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Toss linguini with a rich sauce of morels, ramps (or leeks), peas, ham and cream. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese, if you like.Can't find morels? Substitute the same amount of stemmed shiitake, cremini and/or button mushrooms in the recipe. Or check online for dried morels.

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Greek Spinach-Pasta Salad with Feta and Beans

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Mix baby spinach, canned Great Northern beans, crumbled feta, snipped dried tomatoes, fresh lemon thyme and other spices with cavatappi or farfalle noodles for this easy pasta salad.

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Chicken Banh Mi

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Layer rotisserie chicken with crisp veggies, mayo and zippy sesame dressing on a soft roll for this easy version of the popular Vietnamese sandwich.

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Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

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This roasted meal will remind you how easy it is to cook a whole chicken. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots make this a one-pan meal.

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Sunday Beef Rib Roast

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Baby carrots, small red potatoes, baby spinach and butterbeans surround a rib roast cooked with zesty Herb-Bacon topper.

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Mediterranean-Style Snapper

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Top fresh snapper fillets or other firm-flesh white fish with an easy tomato-olive mixture and crumbled feta cheese. Serve with rice, pasta or couscous.

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Asparagus-Leek Risotto

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Leeks, oven-roasted asparagus and lemon peel add flavor and pretty spring color to creamy risotto.

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Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

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Combine artichoke hearts, spinach and tomatoes with bow tie pasta and chopped cooked chicken for a rich, creamy casserole.

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Tender-Crisp Spring Braise

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Chicken, potatoes and veggies cook together for a nutritious dinner that's missing only one ingredient-a bottle of white wine.

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Goat Cheese and Spinach Tart

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Goat cheese gives this tart a fine, velvety texture. The recipe comes from Judy Schad at Indiana's Capriole Farmstead Goat Cheeses.

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Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

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Team basil-seasoned chicken breasts with fresh zucchini and seasoned orzo for a fast and flavorful dinner.

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The Stone Barn's The Modena

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Marinated chicken, sweet onion, mushrooms, snap peas and feta top an oiled crust in this recipe from the Stone Barn in Nelson, Wisconsin. "The flavors, accented by feta and balsamic vinegar, blend for a creamy, tangy taste," says Stone Barn owner Pam Taylor. "The vegetables add a crisp, element."

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Greek Chicken Salad

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Toss this salad together in just 15 minutes using deli-roasted chicken, a package of spring mix salad greens, chopped veggies and bottled Greek salad dressing. Leftovers? Tuck them into a pita for lunch the next day.

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Gingered Chicken and Fried Rice

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Carrots, sugar snap peas and fresh ginger give crunch and flavor to this quick and easy Asian-inspired recipe.

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Potato Chips Meet Fish

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How do you get your family to eat fish? By serving them tilapia coated with potato chips, herbs and honey-mustard dressing. "Quick, easy and and very good!" writes one of our website reviewers.

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Mushroom, Asparagus, and Tofu Quiches

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Tofu and soy cheese boost the protein in these mini vegetable-and-egg casseroles.

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