Main Image Prompt (Before Intro)
Introduction
Spring is the perfect season for light, colorful Mediterranean cooking. These recipes focus on fresh produce, simple techniques, and bright flavors that feel easy and satisfying. Whether you’re planning weeknight meals or relaxed gatherings, you’ll find plenty of ideas to cook and enjoy.
1. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
A simple marinade keeps this chicken juicy and fragrant.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (600 g)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate chicken for 30 minutes.
- Grill at medium heat (190°C / 375°F) for 6–7 minutes per side.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve with grilled vegetables or a simple green salad.
2. Spring Greek Salad
Crisp vegetables and briny feta make this salad refreshing.
Ingredients
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 80 g feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Combine vegetables in a bowl.
- Add olive oil and vinegar.
- Toss gently and top with feta.
How to Serve It
Best served chilled alongside grilled fish or chicken.
3. Baked Mediterranean Salmon
A quick oven dish packed with spring flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (300 g)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup olives
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Place salmon in a baking dish, add tomatoes and olives.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle thyme.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add lemon wedges and fresh herbs on top.
4. Zucchini Fritters
Crispy outside and tender inside.
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini, grated
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Squeeze moisture from zucchini.
- Mix with egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Pan-fry at medium heat (180°C) for 3–4 minutes per side.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with yogurt or tzatziki.
5. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Protein-rich and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1 tomato, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine chickpeas and tomato.
- Add olive oil and lemon juice.
- Toss well and chill for 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Great as a lunch side or picnic dish.
6. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Peppers
Colorful peppers with a savory filling.
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 150 g feta cheese
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Mix spinach and feta.
- Stuff peppers and bake for 25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with crusty bread.
7. Lemon Orzo with Herbs
Light pasta perfect for spring meals.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook orzo in salted water for 8 minutes.
- Drain and mix with olive oil and lemon zest.
- Stir in parsley.
8. Garlic Shrimp Skillet
Fast and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 300 g shrimp, peeled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
Instructions
- Heat olive oil at medium-high.
- Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side.
9. Roasted Spring Vegetables
Simple vegetables with caramelized edges.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Toss vegetables with oil and seasoning.
- Roast for 25 minutes.
10. Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Fresh and crunchy appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Toast bread at 180°C (350°F) for 8 minutes.
- Top with tomatoes and basil.
11. Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Light yet filling.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Simmer lentils with onion for 25 minutes.
- Season and drizzle with olive oil.
12. Grilled Halloumi with Honey
Salty cheese with a sweet finish.
Ingredients
- 200 g halloumi
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Grill halloumi at medium heat for 2 minutes per side.
- Drizzle honey before serving.
13. Spring Tabbouleh
Herb-forward and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup bulgur
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Soak bulgur in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Mix with parsley and lemon juice.
14. Baked Cod with Tomatoes
Mild fish with bright toppings.
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 15 minutes.
15. Olive Oil Flatbread
Soft bread with crisp edges.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Mix dough and rest 20 minutes.
- Cook in a hot pan for 2 minutes per side.
16. Stuffed Grape Leaves
Classic Mediterranean bites.
Ingredients
- 20 grape leaves
- 1 cup cooked rice
- Lemon juice
Instructions
- Fill leaves with rice.
- Simmer gently for 30 minutes.
17. Cucumber Yogurt Dip
Cooling and light.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated
- Salt
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Chill for 20 minutes.
18. Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Bright citrus flavor.
Ingredients
- 500 g potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Roast at 200°C (400°F) for 35 minutes.
19. Mediterranean Pasta Primavera
Light pasta with vegetables.
Ingredients
- 250 g pasta
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta.
- Toss with sautéed vegetables.
20. Sardines with Lemon
Simple seafood dish.
Ingredients
- 6 sardines
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Lemon
Instructions
- Pan-sear sardines for 3 minutes per side.
21. Spring Bean Salad
Crunchy and fresh.
Ingredients
- 2 cups green beans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Blanch beans for 4 minutes.
- Toss with olive oil.
22. Baked Eggplant with Herbs
Soft and aromatic.
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 25 minutes.
23. Lemon Rice Pilaf
Light and fragrant.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Simmer rice for 15 minutes.
- Stir in lemon zest.
24. Orange Olive Oil Cake
A gentle sweet finish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 1 cup sugar
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes.
Conclusion
These spring Mediterranean recipes are easy to cook and full of fresh, seasonal taste. Try a few this week, save your favorites, and share them with friends who enjoy simple, sunny meals made at home.
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