Eat Your Veg (what's in season & cooking tips for April)

Some of you may know I had a monthly column in Vegan Life Magazine, which later became Cook Vegan for a couple of years. I gave the column up at the end of last year when the magazine changed to Plant Based. I felt I had been writing the column long enough.

VEG ON WHEELS

My column was called Veg on Wheels and I talked about seasonal fruit and vegetables and what to do with them each month. 

I had the idea after many conversations about veg boxes and how you end up making the same recipes every month (often soup) or have no idea what to make at all. 

I had a veg box delivery myself so I knew what they meant. I really had to make an effort. Anyway, I pitched the idea to Vegan Life Magazine, they loved it and gave me a monthly column.

WHAT'S IN SEASON THIS MONTH?

I was looking at the veg in my fridge today, trying to decide what to make and thought about my column and that my readers might like some inspiration for using their seasonal fruit and vegetables too, so I thought I might share some of my ideas with you each month. 

Some of the ideas I will be sharing I've created myself and some I found and tried from the web. They aren't full recipes, just simple ideas, although I will include some links to recipes you might like to try.

I do hope you enjoy the ideas and try some. Do let me know if you are enjoying my suggestions and have tried any.

WHAT'S IN SEASON IN APRIL?

This month asparagus appears for its short, glorious season, as well as Jersey Royal new potatoes, rhubarb, rocket, spinach and watercress.

ASPARAGUS

Recipe Ideas

In my opinion the best way to serve new season asparagus is naked. Sauté it in a little olive oil or rapeseed oil until tender, finish with a squeeze of lemon and a grinding of black pepper.  

If you want to do something a bit fancier, why not make baked asparagus fries? Coat asparagus in whisked egg or flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax seeds & 3 tbsp water, mixed and left in the fridge for half an hour), then roll in panko breadcrumbs seasoned with nutritional yeast, spices and black pepper then bake for 10 – 12 minutes. Serve with mayonnaise (standard or vegan) for dunking.

Recipes

If you decide you want to to more with your asparagus than eat in naked, why not try: 

How to BBQ Asparagus from Fab Food 4 All -  vegan

Roasted Radish & Asparagus Tart with Kale Pesto from Veggie Desserts  -  veggie & vegan

Roast Asparagus, Oyster Mushroom & Pearl Barley Salad from The Hedgecombers -  vegan

Orzo Risotto with Mint & British Asparagus from Foodie Quine -  veggie

Beet, Chive & Asparagus Tarts  -  vegan

Mushroom, Pesto & Asparagus Pizza - veggie

JERSEY ROYAL NEW POTATOES

Recipe Ideas

I love potatoes and Jersey Royals are rather good, aren't they?

I like to serve them lightly cooked, halved and tossed through pasta with homemade pesto and green beans. Mind you I always keep jars of Sacla or Mr Organic vegan pesto in my store cupboard for quick meals and that is good too in this dish.

Recipes

If you want some more ideas for Jersey Royal new potatoes try: 

Royal Sag Aloo from the Jersey Royal website -  veggie (add oil instead of butter to make it vegan)

Watercress Soup with Crush Jersey Royals & Chives from BBC Food  -  veggie

Spanish Tortilla with Jersey Royals & Spring Greens from The Veg Space - veggie

Spring Vegetable Pizza with Asparagus & Jersey Royals from Thinly Spread - veggie

RHUBARB

Recipe Ideas

Another of my favourite things at this time of year is rhubarb. Luckily I have a free supply from my parent’s neighbour Bert, who has a large patch at the bottom of his garden. He doesn’t like it himself, so I’m always happy to take some off his hands. 

You may not have a free supply, but it should be appearing in your veg box and on the supermarket shelves. 

Make a crumble with it. Cut it into chunks and lightly boil for a few minutes. Pop in a casserole dish and top with a crumble mixture (200g plain flour, 100g caster sugar, 100g demerara sugar and 200g butter or dairy free spread. Rub together lightly with your fingertips until you have a crumble like texture) and bake until golden and bubbling. Serve with cream or ice cream (dairy or vegan).

Recipes

If you need some rhubarb recipe inspiration, try these:

Rhubarb & Ginger Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding from Food Quine  - veggie

Rhubarb & Custard Cake - veggie

Rhubarb Vanilla Buttermilk Cake from Baking Queen 74  - veggie

Rhubarb, Strawberry & Ginger Jam from The Hedgecombers  - vegan

Rhubarb & Orange Jam  - vegan

Homemade Rhubarb & Ginger Gin from Fuss Free Flavours - vegan

ROCKET

Recipe Ideas

Rocket is fresh and peppery. My advice is to serve it fresh. Pile it high on pizza that’s fresh out of the oven, mix it through bulgur wheat with fresh herbs and lemon juice or add to salads, sandwiches and wraps to enjoy its peppery kick.

Recipes

For new ideas for rocket try these:

Pepper & Rocket Pizza  - veggie

Rocket & Mozzarella Farfalle Salad - veggie

Rocket Hummus - vegan

SPINACH

Recipe Ideas

I like to blend spinach with apples, mint, banana, some water and ice for a healthy start to the day, but it’s really good cooked in a dal with coconut milk and spices or whizzed up into a burger with kidney beans, puy lentils, porridge oats and spices.

Recipes

Love spinach? Try these recipes:

Cheesy Spinach, Mushroom & Potato Crust Pie from Foodie Quine - veggie

Balsamic Roasted Tomato, Baby Spinach & Giant Couscous Salad from Kavey Eats - veggie

Cheesy Cauliflower & Potato Bake with Spinach - vegan

Messicani Pasta with Spinach and Cheese Sauce - veggie

Spinach & Onion Puff Tart - veggie

WATERCRESS

Recipe Ideas

Serve freshly cooked peas with watercress, mint and a drizzle of olive oil or whizz up the same ingredients with hot vegetable stock for a fresh and delicious soup.  

You can also mash dairy free spread with finely chopped watercress and crushed garlic. Roll it into a sausage shape, then slice and freeze on a tray. Once frozen move to a freezer bag. Take some out when you want to make homemade garlic bread or to serve over steamed vegetables.

Recipes

Need more inspiration for that watercress in your fridge, why not try: 

Lentils with Onions & Watercress

Curly Kale, Watercress & Potato Soup

Watercress Soup from Jamie Oliver

Roasted Parsnip, Puy Lentil & Watercress from River Cottage

I hope you have left with some new ideas to try this month. Do share any tips you have for cooking this month's seasonal fruit and veg.

In case you haven't heard, my first published book is out. Living on the Veg: a kids guide to living meat free, co-written with Clive Gifford.