In the Kitchen

Seasonal Eats & Recipe Ideas for Spring

May 3, 2018

Yes, spring is finally here! And with it comes a bounty of fresh eats to enjoy. But as we step away from winter’s hearty soups and casseroles and transition to salads and lighter fare, let’s talk about what it means to eat seasonally.

We are lucky to have unlimited access to different food, which enables us to have our favorites year-round. But watermelon in the middle of February is not only tasteless, it isn’t as nutrient-dense as it is when it’s freshly picked in the summer. Produce picked at its peak is not only fresh and delicious, it is also more abundant than out-of-season ingredients, so prices are often much lower—as though we needed another incentive to indulge in yummy local veggies and fruits.

We naturally crave what fuels our body and our activities, so in the warmer weather we tend to gravitate toward what can be prepared quickly to stay outdoors longer. Now is the time to skip slow cooked meals and use clean foods from the earth served raw or quickly cooked to let natural flavors shine through. Shop local farms or create your own garden, like I do, to be sure you are getting the best the season has to offer.

Planting has long been a passion of mine. A trick of mine is keeping a greenhouse all year long so that when spring arrives, I am ready to get fruits and veggies into the ground as soon as possible. Starting with avocado trees and radishes, I take advantage of the longer pacific northwest growing season to expand my plot to include lettuces, tomatoes, jalapenos and so much more. In my new cookbook, Debbie Macomber’s Table, I share a recipe for Tomatillo  Salsa that is a great way to use all of the veggies I have an abundance of each season.

Here is a recipe featuring veggies that are in season, cook it and enjoy the flavors of the season.

 

Spring Vegetable Frittata
Serves 4-6

10 eggs
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
½ pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 green onions, whites minced and tops thinly sliced
8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese

Preheat the broiler.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Heat the butter over medium-high heat in an oven-safe nonstick skillet*. Add the asparagus and the whites of the green onions (set aside the tops for later). Cook for 3-4 minutes, until asparagus is almost tender. Add the mushrooms and peas; continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, until asparagus and mushrooms are tender and lightly browned.

Add the eggs and cook for 1 minute, gently pushing the curds around the pan. Sprinkle the goat cheese and green onion tops on top. Transfer to the broiler, and broil for 2-3 minutes, until lightly puffed and just set (check regularly to make sure it doesn’t burn). Remove from oven and let sit 1 minute before slicing. Serve immediately.

*If your nonstick skillet is not oven-safe, slide the frittata onto a baking sheet to broil.

 

 

 

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36 Comments

  • Reply
    Bone Oak Forskolin
    May 17, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    I’m still learning from you, while I’m making my way to the top as
    well. I definitely liked reading all that is written on your website.Keep the tips coming.
    I enjoyed it! http://boneoakforskolin.net/

  • Reply
    Myrna Nelson
    May 22, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    will have to try sounds great

  • Reply
    Carol M Stewart
    May 22, 2018 at 2:39 pm

    Looks very interesting. I will try it.

  • Reply
    Linda Houk
    May 22, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    yum

  • Reply
    Kay E Cory
    May 22, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    What variation of tomato is that in the top photo?

    This all looks good.

    • Reply
      Ashley Hayes
      June 22, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      Heirloom!

  • Reply
    Sharon Guagliardo
    May 22, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    Looks yummy. I will definitely try this out.

  • Reply
    June L Palasek
    May 22, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    Awesome books that I would love to have to read – I have a limitation in my life right now – I just had a total left mastecomy, still have the drainage tube will see the Dr tomorrow so maybe that will come out & I will start being able to some small stuff like reading. Love everything you write & read as much as I can.

  • Reply
    Sandy Slaybaugh
    May 22, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    Gotta try this recipe..

  • Reply
    Jake Hinkle
    May 22, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    In Ohio, we went from winter to summer. It is suppose to be in the low 70″s. Most days on forecast is for low to mid 80″s.

  • Reply
    Neva Kreger
    May 22, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    The salad looks good, thank you for sharing the recipe.

  • Reply
    Fran Thomas
    May 22, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    This sounds delicious. I would never have thought to put peas in it.

  • Reply
    Bonnie Baker
    May 22, 2018 at 5:59 pm

    Loved reading through your cookbook! I especially enjoyed your take on a New Year’s buffet. One our family may well have to try – so different and unusual.

  • Reply
    Janet
    May 22, 2018 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you for this Frittata recipe. I’m always looking for something new. I look forward to checking out your cookbook. Happy Cooking!

  • Reply
    Vickie
    May 22, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    I love your cook book !!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Reply
    Nancy
    May 22, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    Frittata sounds wonderful.

  • Reply
    Row.
    May 22, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    Thank you for sharing recipe, Cant wait to try.

  • Reply
    Laurie Smith
    May 22, 2018 at 10:02 pm

    I just bought your new Debbie Macombers Table book and look forward to trying some if your recipes.

  • Reply
    Olivia Klupenger
    May 22, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    I’m anxious to try this. We enjoy frittatas. especially made with fresh vegetables.

  • Reply
    Lois Good
    May 22, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    I can’t believe I ordered another cook book but this one is wonderful and I love the family pictures intermingled….and the recipes are deliciously right before my eyes….love love love

  • Reply
    MO
    May 23, 2018 at 2:01 am

    Love the new cookbook.
    My husband has a citrus allergy so I am glad to see your recipes and try to change some of the ingredients.
    So many ideas for me to try something new cooking for the same man for 42 years can get us in a rut.LOL
    Thanks,
    MO

  • Reply
    Cindy Thompson
    May 23, 2018 at 2:46 am

    Interesting

  • Reply
    Nancy Cannon
    May 23, 2018 at 3:47 am

    This recipe book sounds amazing! I’m definitely trying the frittata! (Well, minus the mushrooms! ) And thank you so much for your wonderful books! 🙂

  • Reply
    Robin Pozgar
    May 23, 2018 at 4:10 am

    Sounds yunmy

  • Reply
    Peggy
    May 23, 2018 at 4:16 am

    I am always looking for new recipe’s to try out. Would love to have your cookbook. May you have a good Memorial Weekend and God Bless.

  • Reply
    Judy Kennedy
    May 23, 2018 at 5:43 am

    Definitely making This frittata

  • Reply
    Cindy Heiderscheit
    May 23, 2018 at 11:24 am

    Thanks for the lovely recipe!! It sounds delicious I just finished reading Silver Linings! It was EXCELLENT!!!! I’m getting ready to read Sweet Tomorrow’s. I can’t wait Thanks for all of your lovely books

  • Reply
    Cindy Heiderscheit
    May 23, 2018 at 11:30 am

    My husband and I have a garden each year. We have the grandchildren help us plant the seeds. They love coming here and watching the garden grow!! We share with my older daughter and her family as well as the neighbors. It’s a blessing to be able to have so much to share. My husband prays over the garden each year and asks God to bless it. Which He does!!
    Blessings

  • Reply
    Cindy Ondrako
    May 23, 2018 at 11:30 am

    Love this section of In The Kitchen! I love to cook and am an old home cook at heart. I had a small catering business at one time! Love the recipes! Thank you for sharing!

  • Reply
    Mona Cunningham
    May 23, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    I love your cookbook. My name is Mona Cunningham. My email is RachaelRuth1964a@aol.com
    Thanks

  • Reply
    Patti
    May 23, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    This recipe sounds delish but unfortunately
    I do not like asparagus. any suggestions for a substitute???

    • Reply
      Ashley Hayes
      June 1, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Broccolini would be a great substitution!

  • Reply
    Deborah Kaczor
    May 24, 2018 at 3:22 am

    There’s nothing better than when harvest season comes around and everything tastes better

  • Reply
    Bonnie J Chalbeck
    May 24, 2018 at 9:04 am

    I look for different receipt to have something different for dinner. This book will give me some different receipts to try.

  • Reply
    Rita Russell
    May 24, 2018 at 6:16 pm

    Going to have to try your recipes..they sound wonderful and full of the things I need to be eating instead of so many carbs since I am type 2 diabetic

  • Reply
    Carole Mather
    May 25, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    Debbie I have been reading your books for years, They have been a source a source of relaxation and distressing from a very stressful job. Several years ago I was severely assaulted at work and I have trouble processing. I would love to win you books so I could start to regain my reading skills. Even your cookbook sounds fun.

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