With winter on its way out, it's time to indulge in the flavors that define spring, where fruits take center stage in the grand edible narrative. From brunches to dinners and delectable desserts, we've curated a collection of delightful, fruit-forward recipes that promise to add a burst of flavor to your table this spring. Explore some of Old Town Spice Shop’s favorite fruit-inspired dishes to welcome spring, which are made with gourmet spices and seasonings that can elevate your dishes from simple to sublime.
Berry Delicious Sheet Pan Pancakes
The secret to a relaxed brunch is all about family-style sharing. And what's a more iconic spring fruit than fresh berries? These Berry Delicious Sheet Pan Pancakes are a breeze to make and perfect for feeding a family or group of friends. Bursting with blueberries and strawberries, these fluffy pancakes are not just a treat for the taste buds — they're also a feast for the eyes. Top them with sliced bananas, your choice of walnuts or sliced almonds for a textural touch, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and don't forget the final flourish — a sprinkle of Old Town Spice Shop’s Magical Unicorn Sugar, bringing a whimsical blend of colors and sweetness to this delightful dish.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups pancake mix (like Bisquick or Krusteaz)
- 2 cups whole or 2% milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 large ripe banana, sliced
- 1 cup crushed walnuts or sliced almonds
- Old Town Spice Shop's Magical Unicorn Sugar for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease a sheet pan.
- Mix up your favorite pancake batter in a large bowl and fold in the blueberries and strawberries.
- Spread the batter evenly onto the sheet pan using a spatula.
- Arrange banana slices and nuts over the top.
- Place the pan on the center rack and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the pancakes are golden brown.
- Once cooked, slice into squares, drizzle with your favorite topping, and sprinkle with Magical Unicorn Sugar for that final, festive touch.
Sweet and Savory Spring Libations
The spring cocktails we've chosen are as delightful as they are diverse, featuring zesty citrus and fresh berry flavors. What's more, with a touch of panache, we've incorporated Old Town Spice Shop's array of gourmet spices, salts, and flavored sugars, turning each sip into an elevated experience. Each of these libations is as fun to serve as they are to drink, and they'll surely become a talking point for your guests, whether you’re hosting Sunday brunch or a mid-week barbecue. Want to skip the booze? Each of these concoctions can easily be transformed into an alcohol-free mocktail.
The Best Bloody Mary
Utilize Old Town Spice Shop's Bloody Mary Collection for a truly flavorful base for your liquid ingredients.
Quick make-ahead tip: Replace plain ice cubes with pickle juice ice cubes for a boost of dill-icious tartness.
Ingredients:
- Dash of lemon juice and lime juice
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz tomato juice
- 2 teaspoon horseradish
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 pinch OTSS Bacon Salt
- 1 pinch OTSS Berberé Seasoning
- 1 pinch OTSS Celery Salt
- 1 pinch OTSS Ghost Pepper Salt (For a Spicy Bloody Mary)
Directions:
- Rim your glass with smoky Bacon Salt or spicy Jalapeño Salt for an extra kick of flavor. Fill with dill pickle ice and set aside.
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and gently shake.
- Strain into prepared glass and garnish with your favorite toppings. Cheers
Berry Brunch Punch
This simple, effervescent drink is crisp and refreshing with the perfect touch of subtle sweetness. It’s perfect for brunch or a sunny afternoon on the patio.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- Your favorite citrus seltzer water
- Orange-mango juice or orange-pineapple juice
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1.5 oz prosecco
- Fresh sliced strawberries
- 2-3 Raspberries
- 3-4 Blueberries
- Fresh mint leaves
- OTSS Lemon Sugar and OTSS Dragon Fruit Sugar (blended for rimming the glasses)
Directions:
- Rim glass with dual Lemon Sugar and Dragon Fruit Sugar mixture to add a delightfully tart sweetness and vibrant color. Set aside.
- Fill glasses halfway with ice, and add one part citrus seltzer water, one part juice, vodka, and prosecco.
- Drop in fresh sliced strawberries along with a few raspberries, blueberries, and fresh mint leaves.
- Gently stir and garnish with more mint and a strawberry. Enjoy!
Easy Weeknight Meal: Slow Cooker Tzatziki Lemon Chicken
Spring is a time for renewal and lightness, and this creamy Tzatziki Lemon Chicken perfectly captures those qualities. Cooking chicken breasts in a slow cooker with lemon and other ingredients makes it super tender, succulent, and infused with the bright, citrusy notes of spring. And — it’s super easy to throw everything together and let it cook while you’re at work.
The simple cream sauce, made with Old Town Spice Shop’s new Tzatziki Dip Mix, adds a velvety richness that complements the dish's lightness. This versatile dish can be served over a bed of pasta or rice with a light side salad (see below).
Ingredients:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Old Town Spice Shop Lemon Twist Salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- ¼ cup boiling water
- 1.5 oz Old Town Spice Shop Tzatziki Dip Mix (for the cream sauce)
- 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt (for the cream sauce)
- Fresh parsley, loosely chopped for garnish
Directions:
- Boil ¼ cup of water in a small saucepan and turn on the slow cooker to low.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, dried oregano and parsley, lemon salt, and pepper. Brush or rub over all sides of each chicken breast. Place in a slow cooker.
- In another small bowl, dissolve the bouillon in boiling water. Carefully stir in minced garlic and lemon juice. Pour mixture over the chicken, cover, and cook on low for about 4-5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- While the chicken is cooking, blend the Tzatziki Dip mixture into plain Greek yogurt and refrigerate.
- Remove the cooked chicken, wrap it in foil to keep warm, and add the Tzatziki mixture to the juices in the slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Place chicken breast in a serving dish and pour cream sauce over the chicken just before serving. Top with fresh parsley, and enjoy!
A Perfect Sunday Dinner: Savory Apple Spiral Ham
Sundays are perfect for making a fancier family dinner. With that, we offer a timeless classic with a creative twist: This Savory Apple Spiral Ham features our aromatic Savory Apple rub that marries the sweetness of apples with the warmth of spices, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. The dish is wonderfully versatile; it can be made with raw ham and slow-cooked to tender perfection or applied to a pre-cooked ham for a quicker preparation time.
Ingredients:
- A spiral-cut ham (raw or pre-cooked)
- ¼ cup of Dijon mustard
- Old Town Spice Shop Savory Apple Rub
Directions:
- Preheat your oven, smoker, or roaster to the coordinated temperature for your ham.
- Slather the ham in a generous layer of mustard, ensuring every crevice is coated.
- Liberally season all sides of the ham with Savory Apple Rub for a perfect flavor infusion.
- Bake, smoke, or roast according to the ham's weight and recommended cooking time.
Light and Crisp Citrus Spring Salad
Are you looking for a light and crisp side? A refreshing, citrus-infused spring salad is a perfect complement to any main course. This Citrus Spring Salad is a symphony of flavors, combining the tang of oranges or tangerines, the earthiness of roasted pecans, and the mild tart bite of pickled onions. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that lets the freshness of the season shine through.
Ingredients:
- Mixed field greens
- 2 large navel oranges or 4 tangerines, peeled and sectioned
- Roasted or candied pecans
- Pickled onions
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or gorgonzola
Vinaigrette Recipe:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup vegetable oil or avocado oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1-½ teaspoons Old Town Spice Shop Citrus Balance Oil Dip
Directions:
- Add all vinaigrette ingredients to an airtight jar or carafe. Shake until blended. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a large serving bowl, drizzle vinaigrette over the mixed field greens and toss. Top with citrus slices, pickled onions, pecans, and crumbled cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
No-Bake Lemon-Lavender Cheesecake
Change things up from heavy wintertime desserts with this delightful No-Bake Lemon-Lavender Cheesecake, a confection that weaves together the heady floral notes of lavender with the lively tang of lemon. This cheesecake is made with the finest ingredients, including Old Town Spice Shop's Lemon Sugar, Lavender Sugar, and Madagascar Vanilla Extract, creating a treat that is as visually stunning as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 premade graham cracker pie crust
- 24 ounces cream cheese (3 blocks), softened to room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons OTSS Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon OTSS Lavender Flavoring
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon OTSS Lemon Sugar (for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon OTSS Lavender Sugar (for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon OTSS Lavender Flowers (edible, for decoration)
Directions:
- Whip cream cheese in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth.
- Add granulated sugar and stir until combined.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla and lavender extracts, and lemon juice, stirring until combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with an electric mixer into stiff peaks until it holds shape.
- Add whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and stir until combined.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture into the crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least eight hours.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle with Lemon Sugar, Lavender Sugar, and Lavender Flower. Serve and enjoy!