Can you smell the flowers? Feel the warmer air? It’s spring, and the perfect chance to get out and enjoy your screened porch! As the weather shifts, one of the best things to do is have a meal outside. Luckily, there are many great springtime dishes that are easy to make and still taste delicious. Keep reading for some inspiration and find out how to craft these meals for yourself!

fried green tomatoes

Ingredients

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• ½ cup all-purpose flour, divided

• ½ cup buttermilk

• ½ cup cornmeal

• 1 tsp. salt

• ½ tsp. pepper

• 3 green tomatoes, cut into 1/3-inch slices

• Vegetable oil

Pesto-ish Risotto

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

• 2 cups arborio or carnaroli rice, such as RiceSelect® Arborio Rice

• 6½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth

• 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 4 Tbsp. pine nuts

• ½ tsp. ground turmeric 

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

• 4½ cups (loosely packed) basil leaves (from 1 large bunch), torn into 1" pieces

• Shaved of finely grated Parmesan (for serving)

• 1 lemon, halved

Parmesean Spring Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 egg white

• 5 Tbsp. finely grated parmesan

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 400g new potatoes, cut into small cubes

• 140g frozen peas

• Good handful baby spinach leaves

• 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

• 2 tsp. olive oil

Sausage Pizza with Spinach Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature

• All-purpose flour, for dusting

• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

• 3/4 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese, 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 4 cups baby spinach (about 21/2 ounces)

• 1 small bulb fennel, trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers

• 3/4 cup quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained and halved

• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Savory waffles with Asparagus, Gruyere, and Onion

Ingredients

• 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped

• 16 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces

• 3/4 tsp. salt, divided

• 1/4 tsp. pepper

• 9 large eggs, room temperature, divided use

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 Tbsp. baking powder

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk

• 6 tsp. butter, melted

• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

• 1 fully cooked boneless ham steak (12 ounces), cubed

Make any of these recipes? Share a picture with us by tagging us on social media. We’d love to see what you’ve cooked!