10 recipes to make you feel like spring is here

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

2. White chocolate mousse with poached rhubarb

This simple yet indulgent dessert is a perfectly light finish to a spring dinner party. Layer up sweet and tender poached rhubarb with a light-as-air white chocolate mousse, finished with a crunchy oat crumble mixture to add texture and bite.

Try the recipe: White chocolate mousse with poached rhubarb

3. Red wine poached halibut with bacon & 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

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

5. Saddle of lamb

A classic Easter favourite, this stuffed saddle of lamb is the perfect centrepiece for any roast dinner. The herby breadcrumb stuffing is flavoured with garlic, shallots and pancetta and is sure to have the whole family asking for seconds.

Try the recipe: Saddle of lamb

6. Elderflower & herb cooler

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

7. Lemon & marzipan hot cross buns

Hot cross buns have to be one of the season’s greatest pleasures. We’ve given this classic bake a lift with zesty lemon peel, layers of marzipan and a lemon curd glaze. Serve split and lightly toasted, with an extra dollop of creamy lemon curd. Delicious!

Try the recipe: Lemon & marzipan hot cross buns

8. Spring vegetable broth with shredded chicken

Spring may mean lighter soups, but the chunky ingredients in this quick and easy dish are sure to satisfy. It's made from nourishing chicken stock, spring greens, asparagus spears, peas and beans, topped with homemade crunchy Parmesan croutons.

Try the recipe: Spring vegetable broth with shredded chicken

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

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

10. Asparagus & new potato frittata

With only six ingredients and just over 20 minutes in the kitchen you can whip up this delicious frittata, filled with tender new potatoes and seasonal asparagus. It’s a quick, low-calorie main that even includes cheese – what more could you want?

Try the recipe: Asparagus & new potato frittata

More on spring...

Healthy spring recipes
Top 20 spring recipes
10 ways to spring clean your kitchen
How to cook with broad beans
11 ideas for serving asparagus
How to serve watercress
Rhubarb recipes
Elderflower recipes
Spring greens recipes

What's your favourite recipe for spring? Let us know in the comments below!