Quick and Easy Spring Recipes

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like a heavy meal at dinner time in the warmer weather. I can’t eat lettuce, kale, or spinach, but love salads. So, here’s my twist on a light, easy and quick salad that is delicious.

½ pound grape tomatoes sliced in half

½ sliced onion

¼ pound grapes sliced in half

Feta cheese (or any cheese you prefer)

Chickpeas (for protein)

Raspberry vinaigrette dressing

This is so light and refreshing and you can make it ahead and refrigerate it without the dressing so it’s nice and chilled prior to eating.

Of course, if you can eat lettuce, kale, or spinach, you can put it on top of that, or if you prefer more protein, you can add grilled chicken to it. There are so many variants to this recipe so feel free to add whatever you like to make it unique to your taste.

Salmon is one of the best fish for you to eat and I found this delicious, quick recipe at Taste of Home for you to try (and if you have any leftovers, you can bring them to me)!

Garlic Lime Salmon

Ingredients

¼ cup canola oil

½ medium onion, finely chopped

½ teaspoon grated lime zest

1 tablespoons lime juice

½  garlic clove, minced.

1 salmon filet (about 1-1/2 pound)

Directions

1. Preheat broiler. In a small bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients. Place salmon fillet on a broiler pan, skin side down. Broil 4-6 in. from heat until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 15-20 minutes. Brush frequently with onion mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Super easy, right? And doesn’t it sound so delicious? YUMMY!!!

Like chicken? Here’s a simple recipe I found at All Recipes, once again, if you make it and have leftovers, well, you know what to do.

Easy Apricot Chicken

Ingredients

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup apricot preserves

1 cup Catalina salad dressing

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 ounces fried onion soup mix

Directions

1. Cut chicken breasts in half or into serving-sized portions.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine apricot preserves, Catalina dressing, onion soup mix, and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Pour apricot mixture evenly over chicken and bake 40 – 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Have a slow cooker? Do all as above, but:

Slow cooker instructions:

1. Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour apricot mixture over chicken and cook on high for 2 – 3 hours or on low heat for 4 – 6 hours. Serve as whole pieces or shredded.

Doesn’t that sound delicious with a side of rice? YUMMY again!!!

You don’t have to cook all day to have a healthy, quick, and nutritious meal. It doesn’t have to break the bank either! Eating healthier and smarter is better for your overall physical and mental health! The sooner you start the better! Let’s start together today!