Welcome back to Fresh & Seasonal Recipes! Lots of goodies are popping up at the Farmer's Market and grocery stores this March—do you need inspiration? We've got lots of recipes to share, plus ideas to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
So what fruits and veggies do you need to add to your shopping list? Read on:
Asparagus
The first tender shoots of local asparagus will be making their appearance soon on tables across the country. While of course this spring-time favorite is absolutely delicious lightly steamed and served with hollandaise, if you're looking for something magical, check out our recipe for Savory Spring Porridge. This recipe, from Roberta's Pizza in Brooklyn, NY, pairs asparagus and snap peas with organic farro, shallots, lemon and cheese. Top with fresh arugula for a dish that is the very soul of spring!
Looking for a brunch dish that would also be delicious for dinner or lunch? Our Smoked Salmon, Spelt and Spring Greens Tart combines organic spelt berries with fresh baby spinach, eggs, creme fraiche, smoked salmon and asparagus, and bakes it all in a crust made with organic spelt flour for extra flavor.
Artichokes
Artichokes are rich and fiber and fun to eat! You can, of course, enjoy them steamed with garlic butter, mayonnaise or hummus, but these Gluten Free Spinach Artichoke Rolls are a great use for the tender hearts. Made with a blend of millet and brown rice flours filled with a mixture of spinach, hummus and canned artichoke hearts, these unique rolls are a soft, savory accompaniment to soup or salad.
Looking for a grain-free recipe for your next brunch or cocktail party? This Artichoke Hazelnut Tart has a hazelnut flour crust and is filled with a rich combo of egg, artichoke hearts and four kinds of cheese!
Beets
Earthy and sweet, beets aren't just a colorful addition to your place, but they're an excellent source of folate and a good source of manganese. We love this Roasted Beet and Tomato Salad with Burrata and Toasted Pepitas from Chef Billy Parisi. Red and golden beets are roasted with fresh tomatoes and tossed with assorted greens, burrata and goat cheeses, pecans, pumpkin seeds and more.
For an unusual and brilliantly colored meal, how about Gluten Free Pizza Worth Writing Home About? Made with our Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix and topped with tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, thinly sliced beets and pesto, it's a delicious meal you can make in less than an hour.
Lettuce
Lettuce may be one of the most overlooked vegetables—but you can find a wide variety of flavors, textures and nutrients at your local market. We love crisp romaine or tender Little Gem lettuce in our Paleo BLT. Here, crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado mayonnaise are layered between flatbread made with Paleo Baking Flour.
Lettuce's versatility is highlighted in this Peachy Salad with Savory Toasted Oats from Cathy Erway. This bright-tasting salad is made with fresh sliced peaches and baby lettuce, and topped with a balsamic vinaigrette and toasted organic rolled oats.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are an excellent source of B vitamins, a good source of potassium, and fantastic source of rich, earthy flavor! Wild mushrooms are going to be cropping up at farmer's markets now, why not gather your favorites (or try some new varieties) is this Gluten Free Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff? Sauteed mushrooms are enveloped in a rich and delicious sauce made with creamy chickpea flour and flavored with garlic, herbs and red wine. Serve over your favorite gluten free pasta for a satisfying comfort food feast.
While the weather is getting warmer, there's still plenty of time to enjoy a nourishing bowl of soup! This Creamy Mushroom and Grains Soup is made with leeks, mushrooms and pearl barley, and enhanced with the super-flavorful trio of soy sauce, sherry and paprika.
Pears
Sweet juicy pears are a treat at any time of the year, but local pears are especially delicious when they're in season and personal ripe (#protip: to ripen, place them next to the bananas in your fruit bowl). We love this lush and lovely Pear Almond Toffee Cake, made with almond and all purpose flours, flavored with earthy spices like cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, and drizzled with a creamy rum toffee sauce. Serve at your next brunch or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special treat.
While many of us love the idea of a hot, nourishing breakfast, many of us have trouble finding the time to actually cook hot cereal in the morning (shh, don't tell Bob!). That's why we love this Slow Cooker Apple Pear Oatmeal. Just stir together steel cut oats, apples, pears, milk, water and spices in a slow cooker tonight, and the aroma of a warm, delicious breakfast will greet you in the morning. Easy peasy!
Pineapples
Take a tropical journey this spring by adding pineapple to the menu! This colorful and vibrant fruit is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, and it's delicious in anything from smoothies to hot cereal. Have a loved one with a March birthday? Consider this Paleo Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, made with Paleo Baking Flour and coconut sugar. While it calls for canned pineapple, you can easily substitute fresh!
Brighten up your morning with this Orange Pineapple Protein Smoothie with Turmeric Powder from Rika Agustini! Fresh pineapple chunks combine with orange juice, almond milk, turmeric, Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster and lemon.
Radishes
The sharp flavor and cool, crisp texture of radishes are especially welcome once the warm weather arrives. Radishes are available in an array of beautiful colors perfect for salads, soups and more. Our Sesame Shrimp Millet and Quinoa Grain Bowl features the ultra beautiful watermelon radish, but you can sprinkle your favorite variety over this tasty bowl, which begins with a flavorful combination of millet and quinoa, topped with shrimp, spinach, edamame, avocado and more. Drizzle with soy sauce, sesame oil and sriracha for extra zing!
Spicy radishes turn sweet and tender once you turn up the heat, as we did for this Roasted Radish and Farro Salad. The simple salad combines organic farro with garlic-roasted radishes and bright lemon juice.
St Patrick’s Day
While Saint Patrick's Day began as a religious holiday, it has evolved into a cultural celebration of Ireland in the US and UK. This March 17, make sure to whip up semi-traditional favorites like Easy Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread. This delectable quick bread is made with Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and currants or raisins. Substitute dairy-free buttermilk, Gluten Free Egg Replacer and dairy-free butter to make this treat vegan!
We hope your March is full of fun, adventure and great food! What are you planning on making this month? Post in the comments below!
