Spring has sprung! April will (hopefully) bring us the warm weather we’ve all been craving, and this month may also have you craving the delicious fruits and vegetables that are in season as well. Strawberries, blood oranges and plums will be at their peak in April as will asparagus, artichokes and snap peas.

Take a look at these delicious recipes using seasonal produce for the month of April. These dishes are sure to satisfy your fruit and veggie cravings!

Breakfast: Strawberry Pancakes

Ingredients:

–        ½ cup flour

–        1 tablespoon sugar

–        1 tablespoon baking powder

–        1 pinch salt

–        3 tablespoons butter

–        1 ¼ cup milk

–        2 teaspoons vanilla extract

–        1 egg

–        1 cup strawberries

Recipe:

1.       In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

2.       Melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish.

3.       In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla.

4.       Combine the wet and dry ingredients in the same bowl and whisk together until fully combined. Let this batter rest for about 10 minutes.

5.       Fold the diced strawberries into your batter gently just until combined.

6.       Grease a skillet with butter and heat on medium until melted and slightly bubbling.

7.       Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto your skillet. You should be able to cook 3 or 4 pancakes at a time depending on the size of your pan.

8.       Once you see small bubbles appear in the pancakes, flip them and continue to heat until cooked through (usually about 1-2 minutes).

9.       Continue this process with the rest of your batter. Serve immediately with warm maple syrup, powdered sugar and butter!

Main Dish: Roasted Artichoke & Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

–        1 bag of spring mix (or your choice of greens).

–        ¼ cup of pine nuts

–        ¼ white onion (thinly sliced)

–        ¼ granny smith apple (thinly sliced)

–        1 jar of marinated artichokes

–        4 ounces goat cheese

–        ½ of one lemon

–        1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

–        1 teaspoon black pepper

–        ¼ cup olive oil

–        Pinch of salt

Recipe:

1.       Preheat your oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.       Drain the marinated artichokes, keeping the liquid from the jar for later in the recipe.

3.       Spread the artichokes onto the parchment paper and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

4.       Toast the pine nuts in a skillet on medium heat for about 2 minutes.

5.       Thinly slice your apple and onion.

6.       Place the spring mix into a large serving bowl. Add in your toasted pine nuts, apple, onion and roasted artichokes.

7.       Gently crumble your goat cheese on top of the salad.

8.       In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the liquid from your jar of artichokes, equal parts olive oil, Dijon mustard, the juice of half a lemon, black pepper and a pinch of salt.

9.       Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad and gently toss with tongs.

10.  Serve immediately alongside crusty bread, your favorite pasta dish or your choice of protein!

Dessert: Plum Cobbler

Ingredients:

–        10 large plums (pitted and sliced)

–        1/3 cup of brown sugar

–        ½ cup Granny Smith apple peeled and grated

–        1 tablespoon granulated coarse sugar

–        1 teaspoon cinnamon

–        ¼ teaspoon salt

–        3 tablespoons cornstarch

–        12 graham crackers

–        6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

–        ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe:

1.       Preheat your oven to 375.

2.       Slice the plums and combine in a large mixing bowl with the brown sugar, grated apples, cinnamon, sugar, salt and cornstarch.

3.       Transfer this mixture to a greased casserole dish or cast-iron skillet.

4.       In a new mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and vanilla extract.

5.       Pour this graham cracker topping over the plum mixture. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the top of this.

6.       Bake until bubbling and golden, about 45 minutes.

7.       Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!