As the days lengthen and grow steadily warmer, it's time to move on from heavy winter dishes to lighter spring fare, making the most of seasonal foods such as crisp, green asparagus, new potatoes, fresh halibut, lamb and roast chicken. Find suitable dishes for Mother's Day, Easter or simply for a light lunch or family meal. Many of these dishes feature asparagus, but you can easily substitute green beans for the asparagus in most cases.
1. Pea and Mint Soup
Fiona Haynes
This low fat, high fiber pea and mint soup with chopped parsley makes a fragrant and flavorful spring lunch or appetizer. Serve hot or cold, depending on the weather, and top with a dollop of low-fat or fat-free sour cream and mint sprigs.
2. Halibut With Asparagus, Tomatoes and Rosemary
Fiona Haynes
This colorful, fragrant halibut, asparagus, tomato and rosemary dish is perfect for a spring time supper. Serve with some whole grain rice, couscous, or my new favorite, quinoa.
3. Herbed Roast Chicken
Fiona Haynes
A simple herb roast chicken makes a nice low fat centerpiece for Sunday lunch or a holiday meal with close family. Serve with roasted new potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
4. Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt
These succulent lamb loin chops are complemented perfectly by a mint yogurt sauce, making it a wonderful spring supper. Serve with couscous and roasted green beans or asparagus.5. Spring Salmon Salad
This is a wonderful way to step up your intake of veggies, as well as increasing your intake of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You can easily substitute tuna for the salmon and get similar benefits. Make this lower fat basic vinaigrette dressing, or use your own favorite low-fat or fat-free dressing.6. Farfalle with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes
Fiona Haynes
Crisp bright green asparagus and sweet red cherry tomatoes tossed with farfalle (bow tie) pasta makes a colorful and delightful spring supper. Serve with some crusty bread or a green salad on the side.
7. Sole with Asparagus and New Potatoes
Fiona Haynes
Try this wonderfully nutritious fish dish. Asparagus spears are wrapped in sole fillets and baked on a bed of sliced potatoes. It's easy to prepare and uses just one baking pan.
8. Herbed Pork Tenderloin
Fiona Haynes
With pork tenderloin now about as lean as an equivalent-sized skinless chicken breast, you can add this succulent herbed pork tenderloin to your list of low-fat favorites.
9. Key Lime Bars
Fiona Haynes
These key lime bars are a creamy, tangy low-fat treat. I use regular limes rather than the very small key limes, which makes the job of squeezing the limes a little faster! The creaminess comes from the light cream cheese and fat-free condensed milk filling.
10. Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Fiona Haynes
This low-fat banana cake is an indulgent treat, but with very little saturated fat, you shouldn't feel too guilty. But if you prefer to omit the frosting, that's just fine. Be sure to use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor.
