Spring is officially in full bloom! All around us, the trees are beginning to blossom and the flowers are showing off their vibrant colors and delightful fragrances. Perhaps you’re in the process of planting a garden or have already visited several farmer’s markets looking for seasonal produce.
If you’re like us, you’re graciously welcoming the start of a new season. Spring is such a splendid time of year with its newness and beauty and growth. We love the fresh flavors and bright colors that come with this time of year, in addition to the warmer temperatures and return to outdoor cooking and dining.
Are you looking for some fun ways to celebrate the season? Join along as we explore 12 Creative Spring Recipe Ideas.
1. Build a Spring Charcuterie Board.
Charcuterie boards are a fun appetizer idea for any time of year—we love to theme them to match specific holidays or seasons by incorporating fun shapes, seasonal produce, and unique recipes and flavors. (Bonus: Check out our Fall Charcuterie Boards guide to learn the step-by-step process of building your own custom meat, cheese, and accompaniments platter!)
For our Spring Charcuterie Board, we incorporated the following elements:
- Savory Whipped Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Tomato, Basil, and Asparagus
- Sweet Whipped Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Strawberry, Kiwi, and Banana
- Martin’s Toast Crackers, cut into seasonal shapes
- Salami and/or Prosciutto, rolled into a flower shape
- Assorted Cheese Cubes
- Fresh Veggies including: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Asparagus, Radishes, Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas, and Tomatoes
- Fresh Fruits including: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Grapes
- Fresh Herbs including: Parsley and Dill
- Homemade Ranch Dressing, for dipping
About our Spring Charcuterie Board:
Most charcuterie boards are heavy on the cured meats and cheeses, however, we chose to highlight the fresh tastes of spring by incorporating a large assortment of seasonal fruits and veggies. With an herby ranch dip at the center and meats, cheeses, veggies and berries scattered throughout, the circular design resembles a colorful floral bouquet.
To add some flavor and visual variation, we also nestled in alternating sweet and savory crostini topped with a whipped goat cheese bruschetta.
The Sweet:
Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls, halved and baked until lightly toasted, then topped with a mixture of whipped goat cheese and cream cheese, an assortment of diced strawberries, kiwi, and banana, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
The Savory:
Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, halved and baked until lightly toasted, then topped with a mixture of whipped goat cheese, cream cheese, and garlic powder, a blend of cherry tomatoes, chopped asparagus, and basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
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Finally, we finished off our charcuterie board with a generous garnish of fresh herbs, like parsley and dill, to fill out the “bouquet” and add to the fragrant and flavorful arrangement of options.
Watch how to make our Spring Charcuterie Board in the below video!
Try it for yourself!
Want to try your hand at making a Spring Charcuterie Board? Use our starter map below as a guide!
2. Say “Hello” to Color.
Take advantage of spring’s wide array of colors by adding in bright pops of red, purple, orange, or green as with this Colorful Veggie Toast with Beet Hummus (pictured above), or bursts of orange and pink with our Whipped Ricotta Toasts with Citrus and Thyme-Honey, both served on Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread!
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/colorful-food-photography-behind-the-scenes
Another unique, artistic option are these Mosaic Tea Sandwiches (pictured above). By getting creative with the shapes and colors, you can design all kinds of beautiful patterns. Serve them as a standalone appetizer for a spring garden party or include them along with your Charcuterie Board from idea #1.
3. Plan(t) Flowers Everywhere.
Go literal with the spring flowers concept and integrate it in one of three ways: 1) use flower-shaped cookie cutters or creative food styling, 2) add a floral essence using flavors such as lavender, rose, elderflower, or hibiscus, and 3) include actual edible flowers for a bold finishing touch.
Our Mini Flower Tartlets (shown above) utilize all three tips, with flower-shaped cups of toasted Potato Bread filled with lavender-infused mascarpone filling and garnished with edible herbs and flowers. Give them a try, or check out our Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches or Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches for two more options.
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/mothers-day-recipes-floral-flavors
4. Get Artsy.
Unleash your inner artist and whip up some decorative food masterpieces like this Ladybug BLT on Martin’s 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread or opt for easy Ham and Cheese Sandwich Cut-Outs, Cat and Mouse Lunchbox Art, or a Rainy Day PB&J. Tip: This is a fun activity to do with kids!
View more: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?re_campaign=food-art
5. Host a Tea Party.
What could be better than a mid-morning spring brunch with a quaint “tea party” theme? If this sounds like your cup of tea, we know you’ll enjoy our Earl Grey French Toast with Orange-Maple Syrup recipe using Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread. Or, you can include a variety of options and offer Chai Tea Bread Pudding and Matcha Fruit Crostini as well!
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/mothers-day-tea-recipes
6. Go “Green.”
Amongst the budding flowers in every color imaginable, there is always plenty of green in springtime—the yellow-green of the grass, the dark green trees as they bring forth new leaves, and all the many shades of green that are found in our favorite seasonal herbs and vegetables.
Celebrate the color of nature by designing some fun veggie toasts using only green elements. Think: parsley, basil, dill, and cucumber, as in this Cucumber Toast with Green Goddess Hummus (above), or try Smashed Edamame Toast with microgreens and alfalfa sprouts or Guacamole Toast with cilantro, serrano chile, green onions, and salsa verde.
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/green-veggie-toasts
7. Bake up a Swirl Storm.
Did you know that Martin’s Swirl Breads make a delicious springtime treat? As we shared in our recent Easter blog, they are perfect for cute seasonal desserts like Carrot Cake Bread Pudding Cupcakes and Hummingbird Bread Pudding. Another creative and trendy option is these layered Strawberry Shortcake Trifles using Martin’s Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl Potato Bread (pictured above)!
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/spring-swirl-sweets
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Tip: You can also transform Martin’s Swirl Breads into cookies by lightly toasting them and cutting them into fun shapes. Then, use a simple cream cheese icing to decorate them to your liking. Another fun idea to do with kids!
8. Stay Seasonal.
One of our favorite things to do in spring is enjoy the seasonal produce: the bright bursts of citrus, the rich flavor of fresh herbs, and light but hearty proteins like chicken and fish. In a season filled with newness and growth, it’s a great opportunity to buy locally sourced or homegrown produce. Consider planting a garden or visiting a local farm or produce center!
If you’re looking for recipe inspiration, consider our Spring Burger with Asparagus and Parmesan Crisps, these flavorful Garlic-Dill Pulled Chicken Sliders, or this Spring Panzanella Salad with Grilled Chicken and Tarragon Pesto (pictured above).
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/bright-springy-7-day-meal-plan
9. Fill up on Fresh Veggies.
Now that we’re out of the cold winter months, we’re looking for ways to freshen up (and lighten up!) our favorite lunchtime meal: the sandwich. Some great suggestions are to pack your sandwich full of greens like lettuce, spinach, and sprouts, add a crunch from fresh veggies such as cucumbers, tomato, carrots, and radish, or to incorporate an herb-infused version of your favorite condiment.
Try out our Roast Beef Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese using Martin’s 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread (pictured above), a Vegetable Sandwich with Dill Sauce, or a Turkey Veggie Sandwich with Garlic-Basil Mayo.
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/fresh-sammies
10. Make a Mini Brunch Bar.
We already mentioned how much we love a nice spring brunch and an excuse to gather with friends… But another of our favorite themes for the occasion is to serve a selection of mini food options like individually baked casseroles, bread puddings, or French toast stratas.
- Mini Baked Egg Casseroles {Customizable} – pictured above
- Blueberry Lemon Curd Bread Pudding
- Mini Coffee French Toast Strata with Maple-Coffee Glaze
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/spring-brunch-mini-bites
11. Enjoy Some Fresh Fruit.
Beginning in late spring, berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are ripe for picking (but you can also typically find them year-round in grocery stores). Berries are a delightful way to add a bright pop of color and flavor to your favorite dishes, from salads and sandwiches to breakfast dishes and more. Explore our Berry French Toast Bar idea at the link below to find delicious recipes like this Berry Breakfast Panzanella (pictured above) or a Yogurt Smoothie Bowl with French Toast Crumbles!
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/summer-berry-french-toast-bar/
12. Plan a Picnic.
As soon as the weather starts to warm, take every opportunity you can to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine. We suggest packing a healthy, wholesome lunch and going for an impromptu picnic! Bring along recipes like these Prosciutto Picnic Sandwiches on Martin’s Hoagie Rolls (pictured above) along with Cherry Hand Pies for dessert, or opt for a veggie-packed Roast Beef Garden Sandwich!
Source: https://potatorolls.com/blog/biking-snacks-hacks
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