With the days lengthening and the garden positively a-go-go this month I turned to a couple of warm weather favourites to help make the most what's growing, and provide comfort in times of mid-week fatigue.
SPRING GREENS
Alice Waters has a number of beautiful tomes to her name, and Chez Panisse Vegetables is certainly high amongst them. With a focus on keeping things seasonal, Ms Waters has the art of doing simple things well down to a tee, and I find CPV an invaluable resource whenever something's in glut. Her beet-green pasta is a delicious way to make use of those spare leafy greens; the chilled fava bean soup a perfect accompaniment to an unseasonably hot springtime eve; and the green risotto with peas and asparagus, well... that's just extraordinary.
Green risotto with fava bean puree, peas & asparagus
Beet-green pasta
Chilled fava bean soup
Asparagus and spring onions with spelt pasta & ricotta salata
SIMPLE SALADS
Closer to home, Matt Wilkinson's Simply Dressed Salads likewise makes use of ingredients at their peak with a number of top recipes suited to anything from a quick solo bite to a riotous shared feast. The noodles with broad beans makes for a great supper; the couscous salad sits well alongside a roast chook; and if you're headed to a friendly barbecue any time soon then Fossie's charred corn & potato salad is definitely one for you.
Noodles with broad beans, peas & spicy lemon dressing
The Mrs' toasted couscous salad
Fossie's charred corn & potato salad