Delicious & Healthy Spring Recipes: Quick Meals with Your Blender and Air Fryer
Spring is here! Embrace the new opportunities and changes that come with the revitalisation and warmth of the new season with spring-inspired healthy recipes.
Healthy Meal Prep Tips for Spring
Spring is the perfect time to embrace fresh, seasonal produce and create vibrant, nutritious meals. Here are some tips to help you prepare healthy meals this spring:
1. Embrace Seasonal Produce:
- Shop locally: Support local farmers and enjoy the freshest produce available.
- Incorporate seasonal favourites: Experiment with asparagus, peas, strawberries, and other spring vegetables and fruits.
2. Grill It Up or Air Fry:
- Outdoor cooking: Take advantage of the warmer weather and grill your favourite proteins and vegetables on the BBQ.
- Flavourful options: Try grilling chicken, salmon, or tofu with herbs and spices.
- Air Fry: Stay inside and air fry all your favourites using little to no oil for healthier dining.
3. Create Light and Refreshing Salads:
- Build your own: Combine a variety of leafy greens, vegetables, and proteins to create customised salads.
- Dressings: Opt for light dressings made with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs.
4. Try New Healthy Recipes:
- Explore different cuisines: Try new recipes inspired by spring flavours and ingredients.
- Online resources: Websites and apps offer a wealth of healthy recipe ideas you could try.
5. Plan Ahead:
- Meal planning: Spend some time planning your meals for the week to stay organised and prevent take-away dinners.
- Prep ingredients: Wash, chop, and marinate ingredients in advance to save time during the week.
6. Stay Hydrated:
- Drink plenty of water: Stay hydrated, especially during warmer weather.
- Infused water: Add fruits, herbs, or cucumber slices to your water for a refreshing twist.
By following these tips, you can enjoy delicious and healthy meals throughout the spring season. Remember to have fun and experiment with different flavours and ingredients.
Easy Healthy Recipes to Try in Spring
Quick and Easy Smoothies with a Blender
Our recommendation: Sunbeam’s Two-Way Blender – Black (PB8080K)
This spring, summer and beyond, easily whip up a smoothie or create dips when you feel like it with this Sunbeam Two-Way Blender. Featuring a unique two-way blade system, this blender effortlessly draws ingredients in for a smooth and consistent result. The blender’s 1100W motor, 2L BPA-free jug and pre-programmed functions ensure effortless smoothies, sauces, soups and more. Try it out with the below cleansing smoothie:
Cleanse Me Kick-Starter
Ingredients
- ¼ cup yoghurt of your choice
- 1 cup water
- ¼ avocado
- ½ apple
- 1 tbsp. chia
- 5 walnuts
- 2 cups spinach
- Juice of ½ lemon
Recipe Yield: 1
Method
Step 1: Place all ingredients into the blender jug. Secure lid.
Step 2: Place the jug onto the motor base and push the Arm Lock down.
Step 3: Press the power button on and turn the seal selector on the jug lid to Vacuum Blend position.
Step 4: Press Vac + blend (auto) button
Step 5: Select Smoothie Function and press START/STOP button. The blender will stop automatically when blending is complete.
Step 6: Once complete, lift the Arm Lock and push down on the seal selector to release air.
Step 7: Turn the seal selector to the reset selection to take the lid off the jug.
Cook’s Tip: For a sweeter taste, add honey.
Air Fried Healthy Dinners
Our recommendation: Tefal’s Dual Easy Fry & Grill XXL Air Fryer – Black & Stainless Steel (EY905C)
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Featuring two air fryer drawers, with different capacities, Tefal’s Dual Easy Fry & Grill XXL Air Fryer makes it simple to cook two types of foods at once. Make more for the family to share with the combined 8.3L capacity or use the smaller 3.1L drawer if you’re cooking for one. This air fryer features 8 pre-set programs like air fry, grill, bake and dehydrate, as well as a ‘sync’ function, intuitive touch controls and works with the free Tefal recipe app to deliver a pleasing cooking experience. Air fry your next dinner like the below Teriyaki Chicken Salad:
Teriyaki Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- CHICKEN -
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 4 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 inch of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- ½ bunch of spring onions, white only, finely chopped
- 3 spring onions stem
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- SALAD -
- 1 baby cos lettuce, chopped into pieces
- 1 packet of cherry tomato, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ bunch of spring onion, greens only, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, chopped into pieces
- DRESSING -
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp mustard
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Prep Time: 5M
Cook Time: 20M
Recipe Yield: 4
Method
Step 1: Add the chicken, chopped spring onion white, ginger, teriyaki, and olive oil to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes.
Step 3: For the salad, combine all the salad ingredients. Place in a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 4: For the dressing, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk to combine.
Step 5: Add the chicken and spring onion stem to a grilled pan on medium-high heat. Grill for 5-10 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 6: Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken. Place the chicken on the salad.
Step 7: Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Create New Favourites With a Food Processor
Our recommendation: Kenwood’s MultiPro Go Food Processor – Storm Blue (FDP22130GY)
From salsa to dips, burger patties and pizza dough, this Kenwood MultiPro Go Food Processor delivers with it powerful performance, cutting versatility and compact, clutter free storage. This food processor features a 650W motor, a 1.3L bowl and a range of attachments including a Chopping knife blade, Reversible 4mm Slicing/Grating Disc and 360° Express serve™ that lets you slice or grate directly into your bowl or pan. Give the MultiPro Go Food Processor a go as your make dough for a sweet Berry Pizza:
Berry Pizza
Ingredients
- FOR THE PIZZA BASE:
- 300g warm water
- 1 tbsp dried yeast
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 410g gluten free bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
- FOR THE TOPPINGS:
- 85g ricotta
- 300g mixed berries
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- FOR GARNISH:
- 2-3 tbsp acacia honey
- Red and white currants (as needed)
- Fresh mint leaves (as needed)
Cook Time: 1H 8M
Recipe Yield: 4
Method
Step 1: Add warm water and yeast) to a jug, mix with a fork, set aside for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add the caster sugar and olive oil sugar, oil to the jug and combine with a fork.
Step 3: Fit the dough tool to the food processor.
Step 4: Add the gluten free bread flour, salt, baking powder and muscovado sugar to the bowl, fit the lid.
Step 5: Start the processor on max speed adding the contents of the jug into the feed tube whilst the processor is running. Mix the dough for 30 seconds.
Step 6: Transfer the dough into a mixing bowl and cover with a tea towel.
Step 7: Set aside to prove for 20-30 minutes.
Step 8: Pre-heat the oven to 180°C
Step 9: Grease a large baking sheet with some olive oil or baking spray.
Step 10: Transfer the dough to the lined tray, the dough will be wet and sticky.
Step 11: Use your hands to spread the dough out into an 11 inch circle to a thickness of less than ¼ inch
Step 12: Pre-bake the pizza base for 25-30 minutes until it begins to look dry, (some cracks may form).
Step 13: Remove the pizza from the oven, add the ricotta to the pizza base, spread evenly.
Step 14: Top the ricotta layer with the mixed berries, pine nuts and acacia honey.
Step 15: Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Step 16: Remove from the oven and garnish with the currants, mint leaves, and a drizzle of the honey before serving.
Cheesy Chickpea Burgers Recipe
Grill Party Pleasers
Our recommendation: George Foreman’s Fit Grill – Large (GFF2022)
From toasted sandwiches to grilled kebabs, this George Foreman Large Fit Grill is ideal for whipping up meals and treats for the whole family. Enjoy a larger non-stick cooking surface while the faster heat up time means you can cook in a matter of minutes. In a space-saving compact design, this Fit Grill can be stored vertically to help you save space. Test out the Large Fit Grill with these Mediterranean Beef & Vegetable Skewers:
Mediterranean Beef & Vegetable Grill
Ingredients
- 500g hindquarter flank steak
- 1 courgette
- 1 tomato
- 1 onion
- 1 green pepper
- 8 x 10 inch wooden skewers
- FOR THE DRESSING:
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper coarsely ground
- 1 tsp garlic granules
Recipe Yield: 4
Method
Step 1: Soak the skewers in water, then pat dry.
Step 2: Mix the dressing in a bowl.
Step 3: Freeze the steak for 30 minutes, then cut it into thin strips, across the grain. Thread the steak on 4 skewers.
Step 4: Grill for 4 minutes.
Step 5: Cut each vegetable into 8 pieces. Thread the vegetables on 4 skewers.
Step 6: Add the vegetable skewers to the grill. Sprinkle the dressing over the skewers.
Step 7: Grill for 4 minutes.
Grilled Prawn & Avocado with Grapefruit Recipe
Cook Something New this Spring
Try these healthy spring recipes today and share your creations with us! Don’t forget to let us know which recipe is your favourite.
Air fryers are incredibly versatile appliances! You can cook a wide range of foods, from crispy fries and juicy chicken wings to roasted vegetables and even desserts like baked goods. Some popular items that can be air fried include:
- Proteins: Chicken, steak, fish, pork chops, sausages, meatballs, tofu
- Vegetables: Potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onions, peppers
- Appetizers: French fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets
- Desserts: Donuts, cookies, cinnamon rolls, apple fritters
- Reheating: Leftovers, pizza, frozen foods
The "best" air fryer ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Factors to consider include size, features, price, and brand reputation. Popular brands include Philips, Tefal, Sunbeam and Russell Hobs, each offering a range of models with varying capabilities. Research and compare different options to find the air fryer that best suits your cooking needs and budget.
Adapting oven recipes for air fryers involves a few key adjustments:
- Reduce cooking time: Air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens, so start by reducing the cooking time by about 20-25%.
- Adjust temperature: While air fryers generally cook at similar temperatures to ovens, you might need to increase the temperature slightly for certain recipes, especially for browning or crisping.
- Adjust spacing: Ensure there's enough space between items in the air fryer basket to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.
- Shake or rotate: For even cooking, shake or rotate the basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer or visual cues to determine if the food is cooked through.
A healthy breakfast should provide a balanced mix of nutrients to fuel your day. This might typically include:
- Whole grains: Oatmeal, whole-grain toast, or a whole-grain cereal
- Protein: Eggs, Greek yoghurt, or nuts
- Fruits: Berries, bananas, or apples
- Healthy fats: Avocado or nuts
- Hydration: Water or a cup of tea
To make a healthy smoothie, start by selecting your base. This could be fruit juice, milk, or a plant-based milk alternative like almond or soy milk. Add your favourite fruits and vegetables for a boost of nutrients and flavour. Consider adding a source of protein like Greek yoghurt or protein powder. For a healthy fat, incorporate nuts, seeds, or avocado. Finally, blend everything together until smooth and enjoy!
Featured Products
SKU: PB8080K
Two-Way Blender - Black
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SKU: FDP22130GY
MultiPro Go Food Processor - Storm Blue
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SKU: GFF2022
Fit Grill - Large
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SKU: EY905C
Dual Easy Fry & Grill XXL Air Fryer - Black & Stainless Steel
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