After months of hearty stews and roasted root vegetables, spring arrives with an invitation to lighten up. Not in the diet-culture sense of eating less, but in the culinary sense of eating differently — brighter flavours, crisper textures, and ingredients that reflect the energy of the season.
What's in Season
Spring in Canada brings a wave of fresh produce:
- Asparagus: The undisputed king of spring vegetables. Roast, grill, or shave raw into salads.
- Radishes: Peppery, crunchy, and wildly underrated. Beautiful sliced thin over grain bowls.
- Peas: Sweet, tender, and versatile. Brilliant in risotto, pasta, or simply blanched with mint.
- Ramps and green garlic: Fleeting seasonal treasures that add depth to any spring dish.
- Spinach and arugula: The first tender greens of the season have a sweetness that summer heat steals.
- Strawberries: Ontario strawberries in late spring are a different species from their January supermarket cousins.
Cooking Lighter
Spring cooking is about less heat and more brightness. Shift from braising and roasting to grilling, quick sautéing, and raw preparations. Swap heavy cream sauces for herb-based dressings. Use citrus and vinegar to add acidity that makes dishes feel alive.
The Spring Plate
Build your plate around colour and freshness:
- A base of tender greens or grains
- Grilled or poached protein
- Abundance of raw and lightly cooked spring vegetables
- A bright dressing — lemon-herb, miso-ginger, or a simple vinaigrette
- Fresh herbs as a finishing element, not an afterthought
Spring on the Meels Menu
Our chefs design each weekly menu around seasonal availability. As spring arrives, expect to see lighter preparations, vibrant vegetable-forward dishes, and flavour profiles that celebrate the season. From asparagus-studded grain bowls to herb-crusted fish with pea purée, our spring menu reflects what's freshest and most flavourful right now.
Eating seasonally isn't just better for the planet — it's better for your palate. When you eat what the season offers, every meal feels like an event.