Spring dinners that actually feel doable 🌿
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Hey, Reader, it's Erin. I'm deep in content creation mode right now. What does this mean? I'm currently recipe testing and photographing everything that will go live on my website during the summer so I can enjoy time with my family when school lets out. Which means I'm thinking a lot about what we will want to eat in the coming months, including lighter dinners, more grilling and dishes that come together quickly when everyone's doing all the things. Despite spring taking a brief pause this weekend in Austin, plants are blooming, the temperatures are (mostly) trending upward and we were talking about swimming... until yesterday. (And will probably resume these discussions this week.) We've been using our grill pretty regularly for weeks now, and I'm choosing meals that feel fresh and lighter without being fussy. Even though I'm leaning into some lighter spring flavors, I'm still keeping things grounded with the kind of satisfying, flavorful cooking that feels like home... So today, I'm sharing the spring dinners I'm betting on. The ones that work for full weeknights, weekend grilling sessions and those moments when you want something that feels special but doesn't require hours in the kitchen. For quick weeknight dinners:Caprese Chicken Roasted chicken topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. It's simple, flavorful and feels like spring on a plate. Bonus points if you can find some early season tomatoes!
Salmon Caesar Salad This one's heartier than your typical salad — it involves poached salmon over crisp romaine with a tangy Caesar dressing. It's quick to pull together and satisfying enough for dinner.
For the grill:Citrus Chicken Marinade Bright, zingy and perfect for grilling season. Marinate your chicken 1-2 hours beforehand, then toss it on the grill. Dinner is sorted.
Chicken Pesto Pasta Perfectly seasoned chicken cooks on the grill while you assemble the easy pesto pasta situation. Fresh, flavorful and exactly what warm evenings call for.
Grilled Skirt Steak Marinated, quick-cooking and full of flavor. This steak begs to be served over hearty salads, tucked into tortillas to make the best tacos or just eaten straight off the plate with your favorite sides. It's also fantastic sliced thin and served over creamy grits or alongside mac and cheese for a heartier meal.
Light & fresh (weeknight or company-worthy)Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette Fresh strawberries, spinach and a homemade vinaigrette that makes this salad feel fancy. It's great as a side or a light main. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for bonus protein, too.
Lemon Shrimp Pasta This one takes more time and effort, but my goodness, is it delicious. Bright and tart lemon, perfectly seasoned shrimp and al dente pasta. There's a reason why my kids request this one for birthday dinners.
Whatever April throws your way, be it end-of-school-year chaos, ramping up activities, or just trying to get dinner on the table, I hope these recipes make it a little easier (and a lot more delicious.) Bye y'all! Erin |
The Speckled Palate: Real Life Recipes for the Moments that Matter
Get my feel-good, comfort recipes for real life and the special moments that matter, all inspired by the things I learned growing up in the Southern U.S.