An Italian spring table: 10 recipes to celebrate the season
Spring has many ways of sneaking onto our tables, but few are as appetizing as Italian. Risottos, pastas, lasagna... the usual, what never fails, but refined with the flavor of the season and with that talent of theirs to make the simple things shine.
And, in the end, it takes very little to earn a permanent place in our spring menus: some asparagus, a handful of peas, a couple of lemons, some artichokes and, of course, grated Parmesan without skimping, which may not be a spring product, but it is an essential in every nonna's kitchen. And for dessert, a few strawberries to give a new look to the tiramisu, some red fruits to finish off a panna cotta or a bottle of homemade limoncello to toast.
Here are some ideas to set up a spring table with an Italian accent.
Risotto with green asparagus and parmesan cheese
If you had to choose a dish capable of saying "Italian spring" without having to open your mouth, risotto with asparagus would have a lot of chances. If there is one thing I like about classic risotto, it is its ability to adapt to almost any ingredient that is incorporated into this creamy and comforting base. A few green asparagus are enough to transform it into a festive dish.
A comforting springtime recipe that’s sure to delight the whole family’s taste buds ;-) It’s super easy to make, and this time we’re sharing a new risotto recipe with green asparagus. Their lovely crunch pairs perfectly with the creamy parmesan. Give...
Spinach Malfatti
We usually associate chard and spinach to winter, but their season extends over several cold months and also reaches spring, so it would be a mistake to pigeonhole them only in that season. It is a good occasion to prepare some malfatti that, even if they do not have the popularity of lasagna or the appeal of ravioli, always leave a good memory at the table.
If you've ever wanted to make homemade pasta but the idea of kneading intimidates you, malfatti are the answer you've been waiting for. These little Italian bites, similar to gnocchi , are a real no-fuss treat. Their name literally means "badly...
Lemon spaghetti
Easy, economical, colorful and with lots of flavor. Little more can be asked of a pasta dish that barely needs four ingredients to be this good. This lemon pasta does not have cream, but it does not miss it either: it has freshness, character and that cheeky point of the simple dishes that triumph without the need to be strident.
Today, we're heading to southern Italy, more precisely to Campania, to enjoy a sunny dish full of flavor: lemon pasta (or pasta al limone, with an Italian accent)! :-) This pasta dish will be ready in just a few minutes and requires only 5 ingredients....
Homemade peas gnocchi
Peas go too often from the can to the plate without any glory, so turning them into gnocchi is a rather elegant way to apologize to them. Here they cease to be a garnish and take center stage with considerable dignity.
They have color, softness and that texture that begs for melted butter or grated cheese. Besides, they dress up a lot, which is not a minor detail either.
Made with a few simple ingredients and without eggs, these gnocchi are a lighter alternative to traditional potato gnocchi . We made them with frozen peas , so you can serve them all year round. This recipe is suitable not only for those following...
Pasta paccheri with artichokes and bacon
The artichoke has a somewhat serious character, one of those ingredients that are not here to please everyone. But when it fits, it fits wonderfully. In some paccheri it finds a pasta to match, and the bacon takes care of adding the tastier side of the affair.
Artichoke pasta is a must when this delicious vegetable starts appearing at the market. This creamy, tasty first course is a great choice when you have guests for dinner, but it’s also perfect for an everyday meal because it’s so easy to prepare...
Creamy pasta with asparagus and bacon
Here the asparagus gets a little more serious. They are mixed with bacon and a creamy sauce to build a more rounded dish, one of those that work very well when you feel like eating well without turning the kitchen into a doctoral thesis.
The success lies in the contrast: the green prevents the whole from becoming too overdone, and the bacon provides just the right intensity so that nobody misses anything.
Looking for a simple, flavorful springtime pasta dish ? Asparagus and bacon pasta is the perfect recipe: an irresistible combination of the sweetness of fresh asparagus and the savory taste of crispy bacon. Ideal for a quick lunch or a special...
Pasta with onion cream,
Creamy, sweet, refined by the fire and wrapped in a fine pasta: this onion cream does not accompany, it seduces. It has depth, perfume and a humble elegance that disarms. An apparently simple dish where, precisely for that reason, there is nowhere to hide.
A vegetarian pasta dish that brings out the sweetness and versatility of onions. Super affordable and very quick to prepare, pasta with onion cream is a recipe to keep on hand at all times: it will save the day when friends or relatives show up...
Strawberry tiramisu cups
There are desserts that come with a vocation to please everyone, and this is one of them. The strawberry tiramisu retains part of the grace of the classic, but changes the pace: it is fresher, more colorful and much more spring-like. Served in little glasses, it also looks pretty, is convenient and looks great.
Enjoy strawberries in this wonderfully creamy and indulgent dessert with this tiramisu recipe! Prepare it in individual glasses to enjoy this Italian classic at your leisure, with a portion for everyone—perfect for ending a meal beautifully or treating...
Panna cotta with red fruit coulis
Panna cotta belongs to that family of Italian desserts that do not need to be reinvented every season to continue to make sense. The creamy and sober base accepts very well the hit of acidity of the red fruit coulis, which gives it color and wakes it up a little.
It is a clean, delicate finish for a copious meal. And, in addition, it can be left ready in advance, which is always a plus in the kitchen.
The panna cotta is a very easy dessert to make that suits any occasion: a refreshing, informal dessert for an everyday lunch, but also an elegant dessert to serve at the end of a meal during the holiday season. The method for making panna cotta...
Homemade Limoncello
The Italian after-dinner meal should not be resolved with a stampede to the dishwasher. Limoncello arrives to curb that impulse: small, cold and very effective in making it clear that the meal is over, but no one needs to get up yet.
It's not essential, of course. But served chilled, it leaves a sunny note and a much more pleasant finish.
A homemade liqueur to end a meal on a high note—how about that? Try our limoncello recipe! An Italian drink with a delightful lemon flavor, it's irresistible ;-) Easy to make, it should be stored in the refrigerator for the freshest tasting...
Patricia González
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