717 spring recipes

Sri Lankan curried leeks simmer in two rounds of coconut milk with turmeric, green chilies, and curry leaves. A creamy, mild vegetarian curry that comes together in 40 minutes.

Simple homemade vegetarian stock from potato peels, garlic, onions, celery, parsley, and bay leaf. A zero-waste base for soups, stews, risottos, and sauces.

Chilled peach strawberry soup blended with yogurt and lemon juice. A no-cook fruit soup that's light, creamy, and ready after a quick chill. Swap in nectarines when peaches aren't in season.

Garlic garbanzos are roasted chickpeas tossed with olive oil, garlic, and fresh thyme, then served warm on toothpicks like a Spanish bar snack. A fast, low-fat, vegan appetizer that's ready in about 30 minutes.

Fat-free grapefruit vinaigrette with garlic, basil, thyme, parsley, and vinegar. A completely oil-free, low-fat salad dressing using unsweetened grapefruit juice as the base.

Vanilla buttermilk panna cotta with fresh strawberry jam on top. A make-ahead individual dessert that sets in small glasses and feeds six for dinner parties or date nights.

Ruby pears poached in Beaujolais wine with currant jelly, rosemary, vanilla bean, and whole cloves. Pressure cooked and chilled 24 hours for deep ruby color.

Garden-fresh vegetable soup with Roma tomatoes, new potatoes, corn cut from the cob, and a bouquet garni of oregano, parsley, and lemon zest. Ready in 30 minutes.

Light basmati rice pudding made with skim milk, raisins, and vanilla, folded with whipped topping for a creamy, airy texture. A low-fat Indian-inspired dessert.

Chilled cantaloupe soup blended with fresh mint, white wine, and yogurt. A no-cook summer starter with just 5 ingredients that needs only a blender and a couple hours to chill.

Fizzy pineapple cooler punch with unsweetened pineapple juice, frozen orange juice concentrate, and lemon juice topped with club soda. A refreshing non-alcoholic party drink.

Italian chicken escarole soup with homemade broth simmered from chicken pieces, onion, celery, and parsley, strained clear, then finished with chopped escarole and grated cheese.

Pickled shallots in red wine vinegar with bay leaf and thyme. Crunchy, rosy-pink no-cook refrigerator pickle that brightens salads, sandwiches, and cheese boards.

Fried rabbit in breadcrumbs: a double-dredged, crisp-coated classic that treats rabbit like fried chicken. Milk-flour wash, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Serves with sautéed potatoes and greens.

Use fresh rosemary, if possible (many supermarkets carry it). The flavor it imparts to the lamb will be far superior to that of dried. If you like, white potatoes may be substituted for the sweet potatoes, and turnips for the parsnips. You can also flavor lamb by covering it with lemon slices before roasting.

Classic hummus made the simple Levantine way: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic blended smooth, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprig of parsley.