Spring is pretty much already here – can you feel it? If you’re anything like me, you are absolutely ready for it after a cold season of indoor parties and dinners. They’re lovely, of course, but spring is my favourite time of year for so many reasons.
Flowers are already in bloom, people are getting their lawnmowers ready, and late-night cocktails watching the sun go down are just on the horizon!
And, one of the best things about spring has to be the change in food on the menu. As warming and welcoming as good winter dishes are, we’re all ready for those tasty, light yet filling, spring dishes that really complement the weather. It’s a season for salads, light bites, and even an early barbecue or two.
But what would any meal be without a fantastic cocktail to accompany it? I’ve put together a quick, easy guide to some delicious spring meal ideas that you can easily pair with convenient and delicious SWISH premade cocktails and mocktails straight from the cooler.
If you’re stuck for what to serve this coming spring, here are some ideas to tantalise your taste buds – along with some premixed cocktails from SWISH to complement the experience.
One-pan salmon with veg
Trust me, I get it. You want to be outdoors in the sunshine, not in the heat of the kitchen. That’s why having a few simple one-pan recipes will change your life this season!
Simply adding all of the ingredients in one pan and letting your cooker do the rest will leave you all the time you need to sit back, have a drink, and just wait for all the flavourful goodness to come your way. It’s just as well, then, that SWISH’s canned mojito and martini ranges are just as easy to chill, pour, and enjoy.
Consider trying a one-pan salmon dish to kickstart your spring menu. It’s quick, easy, and unbelievably tasty. It also combines the warmth we all still need in early spring, with a lightness and ease that we crave as soon as the sun comes out!
All you’ll need is enough salmon for everyone eating, a few new potatoes, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar and olive oil to coat the fish.
Cook it all together in a simple plan on the stove, and voilà, the perfect spring dish!
That being said, pairing it with SWISH’s Naughty Passion Martini Spritz is the best way to achieve perfection. If you’re the designated driver or would prefer not to drink alcohol with your salmon, do try our virgin martini range, too.
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a much-loved continental dish that’s easy to make and surprisingly versatile! Making your own may seem like a lot of work, but aside from chopping up fresh produce, there’s really nothing to it.
All you’ll need is some olive oil and garam masala for the dressing with a few fresh herbs of your choice (I like to stick to parsley and mint), a can of chickpeas, some frozen peas, a few radishes, pomegranate seeds (if you’re feeling fancy), a chopped cucumber, and some lemon zest and juice for that extra kick.
Add to a pan and warm through until piping hot, and voilà!
Here’s a quick taste tip—why not pair it with SWISH’s tangy Breakfast Fizz? Thanks to the notes of orange and grapefruit in the cocktail, you’ll bring out even more of the lemon in the dressing. And, as always, we have an alcohol-free Breakfast Fizz option available for you to sample, too.
Roasted chicken with spring veg
Roast chicken is a year-round dish many of us like to turn to when we need it. You can make it however you like and add more or reduce it to feed just the right number of people. Not to mention, it usually makes for some delectable leftovers.
But, if you’d like to make your roast chicken a little more spring-y, here is a quick and easy way to do so.
Purchase some high-quality chicken thighs from a local butcher and marinade them in honey, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and add a tiny bit of garlic.
Bake the chicken in the oven, adding some new potatoes around them. Check the temperature while cooking – as with all chicken dishes, the meat must be hot in the middle, and the juices must run clear.
At the end of the cooking, cook up some spinach and frozen peas and drizzle it all with olive oil.
There you have it – in one pot, you have the perfect roast chicken dish fit for everyone!
And, for any cocktail lovers in your crowd, SWISH’s Smoked Pineapple Margarita Fizz is the perfect accompaniment to the dish, or just after for a sweet pick-me-up. Personally, I think it makes for one of the best summer picnic cocktails, too – so be sure to invest in a cocktail hamper ahead of time!
Shrimp and mango salad
If you don’t feel like cooking much and just want to tuck into something light and delicious, then this shrimp and mango salad is the perfect option. You will feel as though you’re on holiday and will savour every bite!
Firstly, you’ll need some freshly grated ginger, honey, lime juice, olive oil, toasted sesame oil, and some white miso for the dressing.
Then, in a pan to stir fry, combine your shrimp of choice, some black pepper, Napa cabbage, one or two chopped mangos, a chopped cucumber, one avocado chopped with some salt and peanuts, and some fresh basil and parsley for the toppings.
Bring it all together and enjoy!
Pair it with SWISH’s Piña Colada Spritz, and you’ll feel as though you’re actually on the beach. Again, we have mocktails available that boast all of the taste with none of the alcohol!
The perfect cocktail for any meal
Finding the perfect meals for spring days can be tricky, but finding the perfect cocktails to go with them doesn’t have to be difficult!
At SWISH, we know that every perfect meal needs the perfect drink, which is why we have a selection of cocktails and mocktails to suit fabulous spring dishes any time of the day.
Be sure to shop our complete selection of tantalising premade cocktails and mocktails, and start prepping your perfect menu.
SOURCES
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spring-tabbouleh
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/one-pan-salmon-roast-asparagus
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/honey-mustard-chicken-thighs-spring-veg
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39413312/shrimp-and-mango-salad-recipe/