Spring is finally here! The flowers are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. Spring brings back the colors and fresh air we all miss during the winter, and, believe it or not, it also brings change in the food we eat. Produce is exceptionally good during this time of year, and all you cooks out there should take full advantage of the various fruit and vegetables that are only available during the spring season. The following are some great recipes that include fresh ingredients sure to put some extra flavor in your meals. So let your mouth water over Gazpacho, a traditional Spanish soup served cold, mandarin salad and chicken kebabs.
Gazpacho\n1 medium cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeds removed\n1 small onion, quartered\n1 can (14 1/2-ounce) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes\nInside of 2 French rolls, crusts removed\n2 tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar\n2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil\n1 cup cold water\nSalt\n1 cup croutons
Finely chop one-half of the cucumber. Set aside. Cut remaining cucumber half into four pieces. In a food processor or blender, combine the four cucumber pieces, onion, tomatoes, bread, vinegar, oil and water. Puree until smooth, and season with salt to taste. Ladle the gazpacho into bowls topped with diced cucumber and croutons. Refrigerate remaining gazpacho. Feel free to add more of your favorite ingredients. \nRoasted red peppers would be a great way to add a smoky flavor. Gazpacho is a great, light and refreshing way to enjoy vegetables. It is low-calorie and quick to make. \nEveryone has noticed how fast food restaurants are competing by selling premium salads. They have come up with some great ides, and some of these salads are quite good. \nMy favorite is the Mandarin Chicken salad from Wendy's. But as good as these premium salads are, they carry a pretty big price tag in the fast food industry, some costing almost five dollars. Let me tell you, you can buy higher-quality "premium" ingredients from Marsh or Kroger. As a penny-pinching college student, you can buy in bulk, save money and enjoy the salad over and over again. Try this recipe for my twist on a mandarin salad.
Marvelous Mandarin Salad\n1 head Boston Bibb lettuce\n2 tablespoons toasted almonds\n1/4 cup mandarin oranges\nHandful of raisins\nBottle of Wishbone Citrus Splash Vinaigrette
Begin by thoroughly washing the lettuce. After washing and drying the lettuce, tear into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Add almonds, mandarin oranges (make sure to drain off the juices) and raisins. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Toss well to coat. Sometimes I even sprinkle a bit of mozzarella cheese on top! The best part of this salad is the Boston Bibb lettuce. This lettuce is different then most other kinds.The leaves have a soft texture and really go well with the mandarin oranges. \nNow that spring is here, the thoughts of summer are starting to come again. A great dish with summer inspiration is Island Chicken Kebabs. These kebabs have great flavor and even have grilled chunks of pineapple. \nWho can resist that?
Island Chicken Kebabs\n1/2 cup pineapple jam (if you can't find this, just use pineapple juice)\n2 tablespoons lemon juice\n1 tablespoon canola oil\n2 teaspoons soy sauce\n2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger\n1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized \npieces\n1 green bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces\n1 white onion, cut into large wedges\n1 pound fresh pineapple chunks
Begin by preparing a grill, or, if you don't have one, a George Foreman grill will be fine. In a microwave-safe cup, microwave jam 30 to 60 seconds on high (if you are using pineapple juice, you can skip this step). Combine jam or juice with lemon juice, oil, soy sauce and ginger until well-blended. On metal skewers or pre-soaked bamboo skewers, alternate pieces of chicken, bell pepper, onion and pineapple chunks. Brush generously with pineapple sauce. Place on grill, and cook about eight to 10 minutes. Turn until chicken is brown. Serve immediately. \nThese kebabs are great to enjoy with friends. Your guests will love the grilled pineapple and chicken. Take this recipe home and impress your family with your new culinary talents. Remember to take advantage of the new produce in the market and always let your creativity run wild in the kitchen.
