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The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer and there’s plenty of excellent spring produce around. Although you’re stuck at home, luckily this is a great month to get into the kitchen as a glut of green vegetables and soft fruit start to appear. Here are the best seasonal dishes to cook in May.
Vegetables
New season asparagus is at the top of everyone’s list in May – there are plenty of excellent breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes to make the most of the relatively short season these green vegetables enjoy. Elsewhere, fresh potatoes continue to be widely available, nestling next to fresh main crops. Aubergine, carrots and globe artichokes are also coming in season.
May is a great month to start thinking about exciting salads as lettuce, tomatoes, peas and radishes are all in season. Watercress is also here, adding pepperiness to dishes, plus spring greens and spinach, perfect simply sautéed.
Asparagus with hazelnut gremolata
Meat
There will be plenty of spring lamb at the butchers and supermarkets this month, while chicken and pork lend themselves well to lighter dishes. If you’re firing up the barbecue, give steak, burgers and sausages a go too.
Roast leg of lamb with pecorino and garlic
Porchetta-style pork kebabs with white beans
Lamb steaks with artichokes and cabbage
Seafood
Mackerel and plaice are catches of the month, while meatier fish like salmon and seasonal tuna are great barbecued too. Sweet crab is around so make the most of it with crab sandwiches or with spaghetti. Don’t forget that langoustines, lobsters, prawns and shrimp are great to use as well, opening up possibilities for countless seafood dishes.
Asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl
Crab cakes with lemongrass and green mango
Grilled tuna steak with vegetable vinaigrette
Smoked mackerel and lentil salad
Fruit
Peak strawberry season might still be a month away but there are plenty of these juicy red berries around now too. You might also spot some cherries and blackberries appearing. It’s also the first month that stone fruit like apricots and nectarines are in while rhubarb and grapefruit are on their way out.
Apricot and white chocolate flapjacks
Strawberry and buttermilk ice cream
Dark chocolate and cherry sheet bake
By Karlina Valeiko
