12 recipes to make you feel like spring is here

Jersey Royal, wild garlic & watercress tart served with a side of pink pickled onions

Parcels of fresh pasta are filled with foraged wild nettles in this elegant vegetarian dish, dressed with butter and crunchy hazelnuts. For those who aren’t fans of foraging, you can swap the nettles for baby spinach leaves for an equally tasty meal.

Try the recipe: Forager's ravioli

For more tips and advice, read our guide to foraging.

2. Easy rhubarb fool

Rhubarb fool in glass jars with biscuits

This simple yet indulgent dessert is a perfectly light finish to a spring dinner party. Swirl a sweet and tangy rhubarb compote through light-as-air whipped cream, and serve with buttery homemade pistachio shortbreads.

Try the recipe: Easy rhubarb fool

Make use of this vibrant pink veg in more of our rhubarb recipes.

3. Red wine poached halibut with bacon & mushrooms

Poached halibut on a plate with bacon and mushrooms

White-fleshed halibut comes into season in March, and poaching is the perfect way to make the most of its firm, meaty texture. The red wine in this recipe keeps the fish succulent and reduces down into a flavourful sauce, spooned over buttery mushrooms and spinach, and finished with a rasher of crispy bacon.

Try the recipe: Red wine poached halibut with bacon & mushrooms

From seafood stew to ceviche, delve into more of out halibut recipes.

4. Wild garlic & nettle soup

Vibrant, healthy and packed with greens – what more could you want from a spring soup? This is the ultimate dish to show off those foraging finds, incorporating young nettle and wild garlic leaves with finely diced vegetables, blitzed into a silky blend that’s as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eye.

Try the recipe: Wild garlic & nettle soup

Looking for more ways to use up your foraged goods? See our wild garlic recipes and nettle recipes. Also get more foraging and recipe tips with our guide on how to use wild garlic.

5. Easy roast leg of lamb

A classic Easter favourite, this simple roast leg of lamb is the perfect centrepiece for any roast dinner. For an easy flavour hack, make small incisions into the lamb and fill with rosemary sprigs, garlic and anchovies (omit these if you wish). The result will be succulent, fall-apart meat full of punchy flavour, it's sure to be a crowdpleaser!

Try the recipe: Easy roast leg of lamb

Find more seasonal centrepieces with our collection of roast lamb recipes.

6. Elderflower & herb cooler

Two tall glasses of elderflower and herb cooler, with floral garnish

This light, gin-based cocktail is given a picture perfect finish with ice cubes made from edible flowers and sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Elderflower liqueur and rhubarb cordial lend a sophisticated touch of sweetness to this refreshing blend.

Try the recipe: Elderflower & herb cooler

Raise a toast to the season with more spring cocktail recipes.

7. Next level hot cross buns

Twelve hot cross buns, randomly arranged

Hot cross buns have to be one of the season’s greatest pleasures. We’ve given this classic bake a lift with the addition of more dried fruits and spices to make them extra fragrant. Brush with an apricot glaze for a professional-looking finish.

Try the recipe: Next level hot cross buns

Get your baking hat on with more of our heavenly hot cross bun recipes.

8. Spring greens carbonara

Bowl of spaghetti carbonara with spring greens and bacon

Give this classic spaghetti dish a seasonal twist with asparagus, sweet peas and long-stemmed broccoli. These fresh spring greens act as the perfect balance for salty, crisp pancetta and rich egg yolks.

Try the recipe: Spring greens carbonara

Find more wonderful ways with spring greens.

9. Crab fritters with cheat’s chilli & crab mayonnaise

Two plates of crab fritters served with sriacha mayo

Crab comes into season in April and May, and this recipe puts the shellfish centrestage. Mix white crabmeat with Gruyère and fry until crisp and golden, then dip into sriracha mayo enriched with brown crabmeat and zingy lemon juice. The perfect snack to share with friends over a glass of white.

Try the recipe: Crab fritters with cheat's chilli & crab mayonnaise

We've got plenty more crab recipes to try, from classic crab linguine to a creamy crab & saffron risotto.

10. Jersey Royal, wild garlic & watercress tart with pink pickled onions

This veg-packed tart is a true celebration of spring and makes for a stunning seasonal showstopper. Jersey Royal potatoes take centre stage, complemented by a wild garlic, watercress and cream purée filling and zingy pickled onion garnish.

Try the recipe: Jersey Royal, wild garlic & watercress tart with pink pickled onions

Discover many more Jersey Royal recipes.

11. Rhubarb and custard blondies

budget baking rhubarb and custard blondies

Freshly baked blondies get a fruity spring makeover in this colourful recipe. Custard powder is added to the blondie batter – resulting in an extra-fudgy texture – and paired with rhubarb for a classic flavour combination. At other times of year, you could swirl in some jam or compote instead.

Try the recipe: rhubarb & custard blondies

Next, make our rhubarb & custard scones for an afternoon tea treat.

12. Lemon roasted spring chicken with asparagus

Asparagus comes into peak season towards the end of spring. It's not around for long, so make the most while you can. Along with peas and plenty of lemon, this easy chicken traybake sings with spring flavours and takes just 10 minutes to prep, with the oven doing all the work.

Try the recipe: Lemon roasted spring chicken with asparagus

Discover plenty more asparagus recipes.