Did you hear that? Birds chirping? Bees buzzing? Streams tinkling? Maybe not quite yet but very soon Spring will be making noises, and that makes us smile, and makes it easier to get through these long winter nights.
As nature’s promise of a new, sunnier season starts to bear fruit, the Quattro team is getting excited. This is when we start planning the dishes that we’ll be concocting in our kitchens as soon as we can get our hands on these fresh and exciting new spring ingredients that will be sprouting in the coming weeks.
Which fruits and vegetables are coming into season this spring? From artichoke to asparagus, from beetroot to broccoli, and from carrots to chicory, it’s going to get fresh, vibrant and colourful in the Quattro kitchen!
A fool for rhubarb
Did we mention the spring delight that is ruby red rhubarb? It’s literally our favourite fruit, and we can’t wait to create rhubarb dishes that bring vibrant pinks and reds to desserts as well as savoury starters. It’s tart and sour, but with a sprinkling of sugar it turns into the sweetest of desserts, and when paired with cinnamon and ginger, it makes the perfect mouthwatering combo. Grown in a field, rhubarb has more flavour, so now’s the time to get picking, chopping, stewing and tasting – crumble all round!
Go veggie this season
Spring is the perfect time to start eating more vegetable-based dishes, or even to try your hand at vegetarianism for a while. It’s not so difficult to make the switch. Here are some tried and tested tips from the team at Quattro HQ, where we love a bit of veggie fare.
Make a list of your favourite home-cooked meals and see what happens when you switch up the protein source for something meat-free, like Quorn, chickpeas or lentils. You’ll be surprised at how brilliant your new version of bolognaise or casserole is.
Get your kitchen cupboard stocked up with tins of grains, pulses, nuts, sauces, herbs and spices, so you know that you’ve got a choice of ingredients to work with, without having to shop at the end of a long day.
Keep protein in the freezer too! Edamame beans, sweetcorn and garden peas are a great addition to salads or pasta sauces, or why not top wholemeal rice or roasted veg with toasted seeds or flaked almonds for a veggie meal fit for royalty?
Spring is the perfect time to get creative with flavour combinations, and with different ways of cooking, from roasting to baking, sautéing or sizzling.
Have you planned your spring menu?
Fresh seasonal ingredients are an inspiration for creating new menu choices. Get down to your local farmers market and find gems bursting with colour, flavour and texture, to brighten every meal. And if you need a little help in your busy kitchen, call us at Quattro Foods to chat about the food products we can supply to help make your menus sparkle this spring.