35 fresh spring recipes to welcome the warm weather

Spring gnocchi with asparagus and shrimp is a great combination of comfort food and green veggies. Find the recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Looking for a crunchy, chewy handheld snack? Try chicken and jicama spring rolls with peanut sauce. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

For a light pasta dish, try whole wheat penne with spring greens and sausage. Get the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Spring crab and shrimp cakes with double radish sauce are a can’t-miss summer favorite. Get the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Nov. 9, 2015 photo shows roasted salmon with lemons, prunes and olives in Concord, NH. It makes for a pretty dramatic and colorful holiday meal centerpiece. Plus, roasted salmon is incredibly easy, quick (taking minutes, not hours like many roasts), and is versatile. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Versatile and easy roasted salmon with lemons, prunes and olives. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This July 20, 2015, photo, shows healthy quinoa and broccoli slaw in Concord, N.H. Quinoa can be cooked on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, but nothing beats the microwave for convenience. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Make a quick and healthy quinoa and broccoli slaw for a weeknight dinner. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Spring corn soup is flavorful and full of veggies. Find the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Impressive, but easy to make. Try this recipe for braised chicken legs and three spring vegetables. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Prosciutto-wrapped grilled spring asparagus makes a great low-effort appetizer. Get the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This April 18, 2011 photo shows grilled steak and spring vegetable salad in Concord, N.H. This composed salad of steak and spring vegetables uses the grill to cook and flavor the meat, as well as many of the other components of the dish. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Try this hearty, flavorful grilled steak and spring vegetable salad. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Taco craving? Sample these healthy fish tacos with avocado. Get the recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This picnic showstopper is sure to please. Get the recipe for strawberry-apricot tarte Tatin here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Feb. 2, 2015, photo shows chopped kale and lentil winter salad in Concord, N.H. This winter salads manages to feel both energizing and comforting at the same time. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Don’t let the name fool you. This chopped kale and lentil winter salad is great all year round. Get the recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Little hands can hold these little tarts easily. Get the recipe for mini cherry phyllo pies here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This March 2, 2015 photo shows celery root and chipotle romoulade slaw in Concord, N.H. Celery root is a good source of filling fiber and vitamins C and K. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Celery root and chipotle rémoulade slaw is a healthier version of the barbecue staple. Get the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Rice salads are the perfect side dish that can be turned into a main meal just by adding some rotisserie chicken, tofu or fish. Try this black rice salad here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

For a hearty breakfast, try this open faced corn and zucchini omelet with smoked salmon. Find the recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Don’t open the takeout menu, make this instead. Shrimp fried rice with pickled radishes is a healthier version of the Chinese restaurant classic. Get the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Broccoli cheddar breakfast muffins will start your day off right. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Oct. 26, 2015, photo, shows quick cioppino in Concord, N.H. Cioppino is a tomato-based fish stew that relies on simple and healthy ingredients for flavor. Plus, its the ultimate guilt-free comfort food. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Quick cioppino is the ultimate guilt-free comfort food. Try it here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Sept. 15, 2014 photo shows Brussels sprouts and chicken salad with mustard pepper dressing in Concord, N.H. Brussels sprouts belong to the same family as cabbage, broccoli and kale, so its no surprise that they are incredibly healthy. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Brussels sprouts and chicken salad with mustard pepper dressing is a healthy, eye-catching side dish. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Fruit punch spring cupcakes are a great portable picnic dessert. Find the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This July 21, 2014 photo shows honey applesauce snack cake with orange glaze in Concord, N.H. The cake has loads of fiber, healthy whole grains and a good taste. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Honey applesauce snack cake with orange glaze has loads of fiber, healthy whole grains and a good taste. Get the recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Grilled rainbow vegetable skewers brighten up your barbecue. Try these colorful veggies here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Spicy breakfast hash with scrambled egg whites makes a healthy breakfast, with a kick! Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This June 8, 2015 photo shows grilled cauliflower steaks with lemon lime feta gremolata in Concord, N.H. Cauliflower is a veggie steak favorite, its flavor enhanced by the high heat of grilling or roasting, which coax out a sweet earthiness. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Grilled cauliflower steaks with lemon lime feta gremolata will surely please vegetarians and carnivores alike. Cauliflower’s flavor is enhanced by the high heat of grilling or roasting, which coaxes out a sweet earthiness. Get it here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This April 28, 2014 photo shows grilled Middle Eastern lamb burgers with garlic sauce in Concord, N.H. Beef may claim to be whats for dinner in America, but in the Middle East that honor often goes to lamb. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Grilled Middle Eastern lamb burgers with garlic sauce brings world cuisine to your dinner table. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

After too many grilled meats, fish is a nice change. Try tilapia with horseradish and beet green chimichurri here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Sept. 29, 2014 photo shows orange zest pudding with dark chocolate shavings in Concord, N.H. Orange zest, the thin outer skin of an orange, has fragrant and flavorful oils that can add sweetness to dishes. (AP Photo/MatthewMead)

Orange zest pudding with dark chocolate shavings is a nice, light option for dessert. Recipe here. (AP Photo/MatthewMead)

AP Photo/MatthewMead

Lentil tabbouleh is a fresh, colorful side dish with something for everyone. Get it here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Sept. 21, 2015, photo shows baked eggs in sweet pepper sauce in Concord, N.H. The sauce for these baked eggs uses healthy fast foods you can keep in your pantry, such as jarred roasted red peppers and simple marinara sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

The sweet pepper sauce for these baked eggs uses healthy fast foods you can keep in your pantry, such as jarred roasted red peppers and simple marinara sauce. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Sept. 14, 2015 photo shows mini strawberry popovers in Concord, NH. These mini popovers are so tiny and airy that you can have a couple of them for well under 100 calories.(AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Mini strawberry popovers make a great, low-calorie addition to breakfast. You can have a couple of them for well under 100 calories. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This June 30, 2014 photo shows cheesy zucchini fries with peprika dipping sauce in Concord, N.H. Cutting a zucchini into fry-like sticks, then cooking them delivers that signature crunch without the deep-frying. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Curb your fast food cravings with cheesy zucchini fries and paprika dipping sauce. Cutting a zucchini into fry-like sticks, then baking them delivers that signature crunch without the deep-frying. Recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead