carrots – Alexandra Taylor

Spring Sides

Goodbye winter weather, hello spring! Well, almost. In Northeast Ohio, we might wake up to an inch or so of snow tomorrow morning. And, no that isn’t an April Fools joke. Except, maybe from mother nature. Whether or not I wake up to a coating of snow, I can still create springtime in my kitchen.

Here are a few of my favorite spring veggie side dishes.

Carrot Quinoa Salad is a lovely way to put the spotlight on fresh carrots. You can use your favorite dressing or dare to be bold with my spicy chili lime dressing.

Veggie Tostadas are the perfect vehicle for the freshest spring produce. You can mix and match with whatever you have in the fridge or find at the farmers market. Plus, the avocado sauce is killer.

Simply roasted asparagus is a springtime must! The golden balsamic vinaigrette elevates this spring staple.

Springtime potato salad is bright and flavorful with a zippy lemon dressing and tons of fresh herbs.

My sunshine salad is a favorite in my house. Feta and crasins are a winning combination.

What are your favorite spring sides?

Carrot Quinoa Salad with Spicy Chili Lime Vinaigrette

Hello lovelies! I hope everyone is having a beautiful week!

I have to say, as much as I love the warm sunny days we have been having, I welcome the occasional rainy day. You see, the rainy days are perfect for binge watching shows without feeling guilty about wasting a nice day. Lately, we have been re-watching Game Of Thrones in anticipation of the season 7 premiere July 16th. It is insane how much I missed the first time around!

Which shows do you love to re-watch?

Okay, now let’s move on to this gorgeous salad. I love a bright, hearty spring salad. I wanted something substantial and healthy, but needed to go to the store. I decided to make a clean out the fridge salad. First, I tossed some carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, and smoked paprika. Then, baked them in the oven for about 20 minutes.