That In Between Season

 March can either be very cold and wintry one day and balmy and ready for Spring the next. As with what to wear , what to cook? It could be anything from a hot soup to a refreshing salad. Keep your pantry stocked for anything.

If you're still having cold weather , then think about creating homemade soups. These are alwasy good for a comforting dinner and makes for a great lunch the next day. Think of adding fresh vegetzables for a Spring'y verdant flavor. Try a creamy roasted carrot soup that not only has the roasted  roots but also coriander and cumin for flavor along wit garlic and onions.A  favorite of mine is homemade celery soup. Celery has such a bright summery flavor that you'll forget there's sleet outside. You could puree it for a creamier texture or leave it in  diced pieces. Of course stews and chilis follow this idea as well. Instead of heavier ones think to  a lighter one., One filled with mushrooms,lemtils and tomatoes makes for a hearty meal. Keep in mind that cold weather also means hearty casserole. A chicken one is a tasty treat on a day full fo snow and gusts. You cna add cheddar shreds for more flavor and top with breadcrumbs for crunch.If it's Friday then think a classic tuna casserole or even better a tuna melt for a warming Lenten meal.

This month  means you many have higher than average temps. Should you clean off trhe grill? If you want  but just remember that the next week could bring a ton fo snow. Use it, clean it and then cover it until the weather is more stable. If you can't find charcoal use twigs. These sould be dry enough to ignite and about six unches in height. Fom there you can easily grill up hamburgers and hot dogs along with steaks for a long awaited taste.You can carry on  with the summery vibe by serving slaws and macaroni salad too. March's warmer days can also mean lighter Sunday meals too. Think a roast chicken or capon with asparagus which is starting to be in season.  Fish , like salmon and tilapia are perfect early Spring dinners. These too can be grilled outdoors and served with a squeeze of lemon and light seasonings.A nice side  with grilled fish is is a Spring green salad, a welcome departure from those heavier ones, Create a lemon juice based vinaigrette, spiked with parsley and oregano. Another idea is quich.it's a quick mix of eggs, creama dn veggies, baked in a pre-made shell. It's filling but doesn't weight you down.

March is a tricky month.There could be snow one day, a summery one the next. Be prepared with tasty dishes for both hot and cold days.

EAsy Sides With An Easy Main

 The main course is sometimes the easiest part of the meal to cook. There's nothing to air fried chicken tenders or pan fried steaks. You want the sides to be equally easy as well. Keep everything simple for a quick hassle free dinner.

Salad has always been every one's go to sides for centuries. You could go traditional with simple Bibb leaf lettuce and tomatoes. Just dress it with a simple viniagrette. Do something different if you want to have a fancier side. Add some almonds or walnuts along with shredded cheddar or mozzarella. You could also add microwaved bacon or bacon bits.If you're bored with the dressing then sub in lemon, lime or fresh squeezed orange juice instead of the vinegar. A quarter teaspoon  of honey or even maple syrup can give a dressing a totally different flavor. This may not be the season for tomatoes so try a one veggie salad. It's easy to whip up an simple broccoli or string bean one. It's just taking frozen broccoli or string beans and then steaming them.Use the mocrowave to save time. Dress them with a simple oil and vinegar one .Add a dash of garlic powder for extra flavor. What's great about this is that you can have trhe leftoivers with a sandwich then next day for lunch. 

Cooked easy sides can also work too. That steamed broccoli and stringbeans? They are just as good hot as they are cold. Add some butter like the plant based Melt, and garlic powder. Broccoli is also good topped with melted cheese. Heat  Kraft's cheddar in the microwave and pour over the florets. You could even toss in some bacon bits for more flavor. Tomatoes Provencale may sound elaborate and fancy but it's simply sliced tomoates sauted in garlic, butter and olive oil and topped with spoonfuls of breadcrumbs. They're the perfect side to any kind of steak or even burger. You can't go wrong with potatoes.Instant mashe d potatoes are always a crowd pleaser. They're simple to make and you cna vary the recipe  with the addition of cheese, bacon or even minced garlic cloves. Air fryer potatoes are another tasty side that everyone will like. It's just aking the smaller ones , cutting htem in half and htne coating them in a mix of olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper.They're then air fried at 400 degrees Farenheit  for ten minutes. You could also serve microwaved baked Idaho or sweet potatoes.

If you have an easymain course then think about making easy sides. They're a snap to cook. even better they're a delicious snap to eat.