Food

Hokkaido scallops have a meaty texture and sweet flavour that make them particularly suitable for this raw preparation in which the lime juice does the “cooking.” Classic Mexican flavours of red onion, cilantro, and just a dash of heat from serrano pepper make this a fresh and scrumptious way to get a party started.

One giant berry-and-oat crumb bar, jooshed up with rich vanilla yogurt. There’s no rolling of pastry here, making this minimalist dessert a cinch to whip up.

These special-occasion devilled eggs naturally pickle and dye the exterior of the whites with beets for an eye-catching pop of hot pink on the tablescape.

Roasted cauliflower gets snacky in this luxurious, plant-based cauliflower dip. You can make the dip and store sliced veggies submerged in water for a couple of days ahead of the potluck.

Perhaps nothing signals the arrival of spring better than delicious rhubarb. The tart vegetable (yes, you read that right) that we think of as a fruit lends itself to gentle poaching to coax out its flavour. It’s just waiting to be combined with a host of herbs and aromatics to make it even more luscious.

In this fresh spring salad, spicy radishes and crisp snap peas work together perfectly with a miso tahini dressing that dishes plenty of umami flavour. Full of colour, not only is this salad appealing to the eye, but its fresh crunchy texture and bright flavours will keep you coming back for more.

A snack worthy of being called a meal, this delicious cauliflower combo will certainly satisfy your movie-night nacho craving!

Creamy pinto beans and earthy black beans stand in for kidney beans and help make a hearty chili along with some smoky poblano peppers. A pinch of cacao in this chili enhances the slightly sweet flavour of lean bison. If you prefer a less spicy chili, feel free to reduce the amount of powder, or add it in stages.

Colourful, crisp, and packed with flavour, these wraps make a perfect light snack and are a great way to use up leftover salmon. 

Small black beluga lentils, so called because of their resemblance to caviar, hold their shape well, making them perfect for salads. If you can’t find beluga lentils, use French Puy lentils, which have similar properties. With lentils, young spinach, spring peas, and herby dressing, this salad welcomes spring.

To snack or not to snack? Smoothies are often considered part of a morning routine, but they also make the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. This creamy, lush green smoothie is a delicious combination of earthy matcha balanced with tropical hints of coconut and banana, finished off with the warmth of ginger!

Choose your favourite hearty grain bread and pile it high with this savoury mixture of mushrooms and leeks. Bright green watercress adds a peppery snap to this quick, light lunch or snack.

Low in sugar and packed with fibre and good fats, these bites are great for a quick on-the-go snack that will keep you satisfied until your next meal! Drink plenty of water—oats and flaxseed can get sticky!

Lime, vanilla, and soothing honey turn Greek yogurt into a special occasion-worthy dessert. This treat is akin to a fruit-topped no-bake cheesecake, but comes together so much faster.

A friendly side dish, but with its unexpected sparkle, you’ll be tempted to put it into regular dinner rotation. Resist the urge to stir the green beans often—that’s the key to getting a nice amount of char.

Who doesn’t love a one-dish dinner? This family favourite featuring crowd-pleasing chicken and potatoes gets a lift from lemon—in the oven and in the yogurt sauce—briny olives, garlic, and onion. This weekday wonder can be enjoyed as is or with a simple side salad.

This frittata seems complex, yet it has a decided simplicity that makes for an exciting meal even on a busy weeknight. Whether store-bought or foraged from your lawn or local park, dandelion greens lend pesto a pleasant earthy bitterness. Spring arugula would serve well as a green substitution. Smoked salmon is a good stand-in for trout, or you can use previously cooked fresh trout or salmon.

Chilled noodles are the base of this nourishing, detox-friendly bowl loaded with good-for-you greens and a creamy tahini-orange dressing. Build your bowl in a container for lunch to go, dressing right before you plan to enjoy.

These saucy noodles will bring a fiery kick to your spring menu and show that delicious plant-based eating can spill over into different cuisines of the world. Dandelion greens or tender spring spinach are good stand-ins for watercress. Place the bottle of chili sauce on the table for anyone who wants to really bring the heat.

A riot of textures and flavours, this salad offers something new in every bite. Crunchy fennel, bitter radicchio, and spicy arugula partner with tart grapefruit, rich in skin-supportive vitamin C. And don’t forget creamy avocado, chock full of healthy fats for skin radiance.

As one of spring’s first crops, peppery arugula signals that longer, sweeter, more colourful days are afoot. It serves as an anchor to this virtuous salad that makes you feel younger with each forkful. When roasted, radishes transform from pungent to surprisingly sweet.

Juicy berries and rhubarb pair with toasty oats and almonds for a beauty-giving beginning to your day, with skin-loving vitamins C and E, as well as detoxifying fibre. A one-dish solution to busy mornings, it’s fruit and granola in a single delicious bake. To serve, a scoop of your favourite yogurt or splash of kefir would take this to the next level.

A spread of vibrant pea hummus adds an extra layer of nuance to these lunch wraps—a great way to breathe new life into your sandwich routine. If desired, sorrel or basil can replace the mint in the hummus. And if you want to go plant only, slices of smoked/baked tofu are a good stand-in for chicken. Go ahead and use leftovers of the hummus as a dip or a spread for other sandwiches.

In Italian parlance, the word minestrone means “big soup.” This recipe certainly fits the bill with a hearty spring vegetable-and-bean soup that delivers big-time flavour and nutrition. If available, fiddleheads can be used instead of asparagus.