Perfect springtime suppers

The days are becoming longer, the sun is starting to shine and everywhere you turn, there is new life appearing – from lambs and ducklings to blossom on trees and flowers sprouting from the ground. Yes, it’s springtime! Finally winter is over and we can start to look forward to the warm, sunny days of summer.

Now is a perfect time to freshen up your cooking skills and start making suppers less stodgy and wintery, and to start making more fresh and lightweight meals.

Spinach and Ricotta – Stuffed Shells

This easy and simple dish is great for everyone, including vegetarians. All you have to do is cook the pasta shells and place spinach and ricotta inside them. You can sprinkle mozzarella on the top too, and place in the oven to bake. Create a salad to go alongside it; include mixed salad leaves, chopped cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers with a drizzle of olive oil and you’ll think you’ve been transported to Italy for an exquisite, traditional, homemade  Italian meal.

Minty bulgur salad with salmon and cucumbers

First you’ll need to cook the fillet of salmon and then place in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes. Next you need to cook your bulgur before adding it to your salad, consisting of parsley, mint, onion, cucumbers, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper and a sprinkling of olive oil and mix together. Flake the salmon on top of the salad and gently fold in if you wish too, and there you are with a quick and easy healthy salad for your springtime supper.

Triple-mango chicken

Need refreshing after a long busy day at work, but don’t want to spend long cooking? Then zest up your dinner with this delicious meal.

You’ll need to cook four chicken breast fillets in a large skillet, then add mango cubes, mango chutney and mango fruit juice and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.

You’ll also need to cook your courgette, which can be done in the microwave while you cook the chicken. Place cut up courgette, preferably in strips, in a bowl of water, cover appropriately, cook on full power for two to three minutes and stir once halfway through cooking. Easy!

Once drained place the courgette on a plate and add the chicken and mango on top – et voila you have a yummy, quick dinner ready to ignite your tastebuds.

Spending less time in the kitchen on these simple springtime suppers gives you plenty of extra time to get out and enjoy the brighter, warmer days. Why not get out and explore the countryside or seaside nearby to really make the most of the spring sunshine and emerging wildlife.

Why not complement your springtime supper with friends with a luxury hamper?