10 things we want to make in April
Spring is springing, and we're here for it
Friends, hello! I (Katie) think it’s safe to say spring is officially here. The smell of orange blossom is in the air—on our walk to school each morning Clara asks if I can reach up to the trees and pick one off for her. We set our clocks back Saturday night, and the days once again feel sunny and long. And as I got dressed this morning, I was delighted to see the sun pouring through the window and hear the birds chirping their little birdie hearts out. As spring slowly makes its entrance, Meredith and I have been chatting about the way this warmer weather is changing the way we want to cook. That’s why we’re sharing the 10 things we’re excited to make in April.
And like everything we publish, it’s fine if we don’t get to these. Not every meal in our homes is gourmet or picture perfect. This is simply our place to get excited about the changing seasons and what that brings into our kitchens.
1. A spring galette
Katie: Using this recipe from Rebecca Firkser, I’m dreaming about something vibrant and green—perhaps this one with mushrooms, asparagus, and leeks. (Meredith: We love galettes in this house! Fernandito calls them “pie.”)
2. Citrus salad with fruit from our trees
Meredith: I am lucky to have a yard full of citrus trees: oranges, lemons, and even a hybrid that my mother-in-law cross pollinated: an orange-lemon! (Katie: WHAT!) I’m going to be adding a citrus salad to my weekly lunch rotation.
3. Spring tuna pasta salad
Katie: Mint! Peas! Asparagus! Lemon! Radish! This looks like it’ll taste like spring in a bowl, and the idea of being able to put this together after my kids go to bed one night is very appealing to this busy working mom.
4. Asparagus risotto
Meredith: Clearly we have a thing for asparagus. I also have a thing for risotto.
5. Sheet pan chicken tikka
Katie: Deb Perelman sent this recipe out in her newsletter earlier this week and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I love finding new ways to prepare chicken, and I love the ease of a sheetpan recipe. This feels like the perfect dish for these next couple of weeks as we hover between the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
6. Tangy lemon tart
Meredith: I always turned up my nose at citrus desserts when I was a child, and I really had no idea what I was missing out on (see also: my disdain for fish and beans) — they are delicious! I’ve never tried making my own lemon tart, but I want to this spring. (Katie: Lemon pies/tarts are my husband’s favorite, and I have never really loved any that I’ve made. Signing myself up for this, too!)
7. Outrageously good orange muffins
Katie: These orange muffins from Ambitious Kitchen feel like a bright way to start the day, and I love that they feature orange juice and zest, yogurt, and almonds.
8. Crispy gnocchi with sausage and broccoli
Katie: This recipe! Meatballs without actually making meatballs, a meal I think my whole family can get into, and perhaps an extra squeeze of lemon for the adults? I know exactly where the random sausage I have my freezer is going soon! (Meredith: I often make a version of this with bacon and asparagus that is delicious, too! I like to top it with a bit of pesto and burrata.)
9. One-pan chicken with couscous and apricots
Katie: I bookmarked this recipe the second it landed in my inbox, and I can’t wait to make it! My kids recently discovered dried apricots, so I am crossing my fingers they’ll like this, too.
10. Herb-filled farro salad
Katie: I fall back on Spanish lentils (heavy on the pimentón and chorizo) fairly often, so I love the idea of preparing them in a completely different way. All the herbs in the recipe (plus the parm! and the pistachios!) are really calling to me.
Other (random!) tabs we have open:
Irish soda bread (Katie: I’m determined to give it another shot!)
These linen pants from Uniqlo
A pair of flats (Meredith: I’ve had this tab open for MONTHS. Will I ever buy them?)
What will you be making as the weather warms up in your area? Let us know in the comments!