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Spring is the perfect time to use fresh, local produce to brighten your meals. If you’re in need of something quick and easy, we’ve got some healthy recipes that work well as weeknight meals. Every recipe below takes 55 minutes or less. Many will even be ready in 30 minutes. Simple meals can be delicious, especially if you purchase the ingredients from a farmers’ market, or a place that sells locally grown produce. Here in Kitsap County, we love Kitsap Fresh, Kitsap Community Food Co-op, and our farmers’ markets.
Healthy Recipes for Weeknight Meals
For something flavorful that’s fun to put together, check out these chicken lettuce wraps. Highly rated, this dinner recipe incorporates fresh carrots, radishes, and lettuce – all wonderfully crisp in the spring. If you or a family member is a vegetarian, you can easily use tofu instead of chicken. Or, make a totally veggie version. Total time: 25 minutes
Vegetable lovers unite for this tasty veggie stir fry. This recipe calls for sugar snap peas and broccoli, but you can easily swap them based on what your local farmers’ market has. We love that the sauce uses garlic and ginger to give it a bit of a kick. Total time: 20 minutes
With just ten minutes of prep, this delicious dinner is great if you love seafood and some spice. Sheet-pan chipotle lime shrimp bake is colorful, incorporating asparagus, baby red potatoes, broccolini, shrimp, lime, and cilantro. Total time: 40 minutes
Aloo matar (Indian potato and green pea curry) can be made mild or spicy, and it’s perfect on a rainy spring evening. To make it, you’ll need ingredients like russet potatoes and fresh or frozen green peas. You can also use other veggies like fresh carrots to add even more nutrients. This recipe takes a bit more time compared to the other dinners listed, but you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Total time: 55 minutes
Interesting Veggie Side Dishes
If you love fried foods but are trying to cut down, these baked asparagus fries might be the thing for you. They’re crispy and can be served as an appetizer or side dish. If you have little ones, they will enjoy helping you prep these. Also, they can easily be made vegetarian and/or gluten free. Total time: 45 minutes
Honey roasted carrots are simple yet satisfying. Bright with a bit of sweetness, this side dish pairs well with fresh fish, pasta, or the chipotle lime shrimp bake recipe above. We love the way they caramelize and recommend using locally harvested honey and carrots. Total time: 40 minutes
If you’re trying to eat more greens this spring, try crispy roasted kale. This is such a quick way to add more nutrients to your meal. Kale is easy to grow, and it’s so versatile. This recipe takes very little effort and also makes for a fun snack. Total time: 30 minutes
Fresh herbs make every meal more delightful. Straightforward and delicious, peas and pea shoots with spring onions and mint complements many main dishes. Total time: 20 minutes
Healthy Recipes for Salad Lovers
Enjoy a good salad but want to try something new? This snap pea salad with green beans, walnuts, and crispy quinoa has a wonderful mix of flavors and is full of vitamins and protein. We love the lemon-garlic dressing, added tang of feta cheese, and it’s gluten free. Total time: 30 minutes
We know spring isn’t apple season, but this spinach apple salad is fast, easy and sweet yet tangy. Whether you grow your own spinach or buy it locally, this salad is sure to be a family favorite. The honey balsamic vinaigrette dressing is also quick, and you can use local honey. Total time: 15 minutes
Looking for a salad that’s a bit more hardy? Check out this sun-dried tomato and arugula lentil salad. With an interesting mix of savory lentils, creamy goat cheese, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, this salad will be remembered and enjoyed. Arugula is grown locally here in Kitsap County, WA, and if you aren’t the biggest fan, you could easily swap it for kale, spinach, or romaine lettuce. Total time: 30 minutes
Colorful and crisp with some sweetness to delight your palate, this carrot, date and feta salad is fun and yummy. What makes this salad so fun? The carrot ribbons! If you have kids or picky eaters, this may be one to test out on them. You could easily omit the feta or put it on the side. Personally, we love the salty tang of it paired with the dates and drizzle of honey. Total time: 35 minutes
We hope these recipes inspire you to try something new and support our local farmers!
