40 low spring recipes

Sugar snap peas, strips of chicken and greens with pasta and dressed with a garlicky Caesar salad dressing.

Australian savoury choux pastry puffs filled with a béchamel-style mixture and salmon, chicken, shrimp or asparagus. Elegant French-inspired party appetizer.

Cold cucumber mint soup blended with yogurt, chicken broth, and fresh mint then chilled until refreshing. A light, creamy no-cook summer soup garnished with radishes and diced cucumber.

A lighter noodle casserole made with low-fat cottage cheese, skim milk, carrots, and mushrooms seasoned with basil and thyme. Diabetic-friendly and big enough to feed a crowd. Serves 12.

Grilled hoisin-marinated pork strips tucked into crisp lettuce cups with rice noodles, crunchy veggies, and a sweet peanut-chile dipping sauce. A fresh, hands-on Thai dinner for a crowd.

Vibrant asparagus and roasted red pepper soup, creamy with evaporated milk and ready in 30 minutes. A vegetarian, naturally low-fat bowl packed with spring flavor.

Fennel watercress salad tosses paper-thin fennel with peppery watercress and orange segments in a fresh orange-rice vinegar dressing. A bright low-calorie spring side, ready in 15 minutes.

Rhubarb and strawberry compote in a glossy orange juice syrup. Rhubarb simmers first, then fresh strawberries fold in off the heat for a fresh-tasting spring fruit topping. Light, tangy, low-sugar.