Spring Garden Menu: Herbs to Enhance Your Cooking this Spring

Celebrate the season with a delightful spring garden menu, featuring fresh herbs that elevate your culinary creations. From early salad meals to tender lamb roasts, herbs really can make the difference in crafting truly unforgettable dishes. In this post, we'll look at the best herbs to use with springtime fare, with a focus on chives, parsley, and mint, whilst  highlighting some delicious pairings.

Herbs for Early Salad Meals on your Spring Garden Menu

As spring arrives, it's the perfect time to enjoy lighter meals with refreshing salads. Enhance your salads with these vibrant herbs

• Chives: Their mild onion flavour adds a subtle kick to salads, while their beautiful purple flowers make for an attractive garnish.
• Parsley: With its fresh, slightly peppery taste, parsley adds a burst of green colour and flavour to any salad.

Perfect Pairings for Spring Lamb

Lamb is a popular choice for spring roasts, and pairing it with the right herbs can make it even more delectable:

• Rosemary: Its aromatic, woody flavour complements the richness of lamb, making it a classic combination.
• Thyme: The subtle earthiness of thyme pairs well with lamb, adding a depth of flavour without overpowering the dish.
• Garlic and mint: A traditional pairing for lamb, the combination of garlic and mint cuts through the richness and adds a fresh, tangy note to the dish.

Lighter Dishes with a Touch of Mint

Mint is an ideal spring herb, and perfect for your Spring Garden Menu, bringing its refreshing, cooling flavour to a variety of dishes:

• Pea and mint soup: This vibrant, light soup is perfect for a springtime starter or a light lunch.
• Tabbouleh: This refreshing Middle Eastern salad, featuring bulgur, tomatoes, cucumber, and a generous amount of mint, makes for a delicious side dish or light meal.
• Mint-infused drinks: Add a sprig of mint to your water, lemonade, or iced tea for a refreshing twist, or muddle it in a mojito for a delightful springtime cocktail.

A spring garden menu is all about showcasing fresh, seasonal herbs that complement and enhance the flavours of your dishes. Chives and parsley are fantastic additions to early salad meals, while rosemary, thyme, garlic, and mint perfectly accentuate the taste of succulent spring lamb. Don't forget to incorporate the bright, refreshing notes of mint into lighter dishes and beverages to capture the essence of the season. Embrace the flavours of spring and impress your guests with a delightful, herb-infused spring garden menu.