I have very little experience with cooking. This is the first time in my life when I’ve a) had the time to cook and b) the space to cook. I’m feeling more confident in the kitchen by the day and Plated has been a huge help. One of the major things it’s taught me beyond just feeling comfortable with different techniques is that it’s taught me the importance of seasonality with ingredients and recipes. We started just at the end of colorful summer and then transitioned into cozy fall and then into hearty winter… and we just started getting boxes based on a fresh spring menu. It makes so much sense and definitely makes meals that much more enjoyable! Louisa is here today to share her amazing tips for spring cooking:
Spring is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited. As much as I love the comfort foods from the winter, I’m craving fresh salads and dying for some local produce. If you’ve been following along on Living Lou in the past year, you may have noticed that I’ve slightly shifted my cooking style to be more seasonally focused. We’re lucky to have access to fresh produce year-round, and over the years I would eat pretty much everything all the time, but this year I’ve been trying to eat more produce based on the seasonality and availability. This can be kind of challenging in Toronto because we have a short growing season, but if you live somewhere warm like California, eating local produce is much easier (very jealous of those of you in warm climates!).
So what does this mean “seasonally focused”? Cooking is such a personal thing and a form of self-expression that to me, seasonally focused means a couple of things. First and foremost it means cooking with local, seasonal produce (as much as possible), but it also means cooking the foods my body craves during each season. I lovecozy beef stews and cheesy baked pastas in the winter, but in the spring I’m craving lighter fare (nothing revolutionary, but I think it’s worth noting that the food we crave is really impacted with the seasons). Here’s your guide to cooking with the seasons, starting with spring!
1. Get reacquainted with fruits and vegetables
Head to the farmer’s market to see what is in-season right now. The farmer’s market can be on the pricier side, so even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great way to do a bit of “field research” and see what produce is being grown in your area. Spring is the perfect time to start including these ingredients into your meals. Your spring cooking mantra should be fresh and flavourful.
What’s in season? Look for artichokes, asparagus, leeks, peas, rhubarb and radishes. You may also find foraged items like ramps and fiddleheads.
To me, spring screams for simplicity and rejuvenation, and I find that this tends to weave its way into my cooking. I try and let the produce speak for itself in the spring-time and use minimal ingredients and simple cooking techniques.
What’s the simplest cooking technique? I always say “when in doubt, roast it.” Roasting is definitely my favorite cooking method because I love the way it caramelizes and brings out a sweetness in many ingredients. Typically, roasting vegetables at a high temperature with a glug of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt is your best bet (around 425F).
Fresh herbs are one of the secrets of great cooks, and they are one of the first things to pop up after the winter (I already have chives growing in my garden!). Adding a sprinkling of parsley to finish off a fresh pasta dish or ribbons of basil sprinkled on top of a salad is game-changing. Use fresh herbs in everything, trust me. Watch the video below for tips on storing fresh herbs and check out my YouTube channel for more tips.
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
I'm going to try the salmon with eggs and asparagus. Looks so yummy!
http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com/
Looks perfect and so yummy. Love this recipe.
Maria
http://skincareof.com/
I'm so excited about all of this great spring produce!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com