March 2025 – Recipe of the Month: Top 5 Seasonal Dishes

March brings the transition from winter to spring, making it a great time for hearty meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Here are five recipes perfect for Massachusetts and Connecticut residents, featuring comforting dishes and early spring produce.

1. Irish Soda Bread

A traditional favorite, especially around St. Patrick's Day, this bread is quick to make and pairs wonderfully with hearty stews.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir until a soft dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for a minute.
5. Shape into a round loaf, place on a baking sheet, and cut a deep cross on top.
6. Bake for about 35 minutes until golden brown.

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine.

2. Asparagus and Radish Salad with Caper Vinaigrette

Celebrate early spring produce with this vibrant salad that combines the crispness of asparagus and radishes with a tangy caper dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 5 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Transfer to an ice bath to cool, then drain.
2. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, capers, and olive oil. Whisk until emulsified.
3. Arrange asparagus and radish slices on a serving platter. Drizzle with the caper vinaigrette.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Recipe inspired by The Guardian.

3. New England Clam Chowder

A classic creamy soup rich with clams and potatoes, perfect for the lingering chill of early March.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups clam juice
• 3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups chopped clams
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot.
2. Add onion, celery, and garlic to the pot; sauté until translucent.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Gradually add clam juice, stirring constantly.
5. Add potatoes and bay leaf; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
6. Stir in cream and clams; cook until heated through.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

4. Maple-Glazed Salmon

With maple sugaring season in full swing, this dish combines the sweetness of local maple syrup with savory salmon for a delightful main course.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, and Dijon mustard.
3. Place salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet. Brush generously with the maple glaze.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Recipe inspired by New England Today.

As we anticipate the upcoming berry season, this tart offers a sweet conclusion to any meal, highlighting the flavors of blueberries and nectarines.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1½ tablespoons heavy cream

For the filling:

• 3 ripe nectarines, pitted and thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Prepare the crust:

   • In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse to mix.
   • Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and heavy cream. Add to the flour mixture and pulse until the dough begins to come together.
   • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2. Assemble the tart:

   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
   • In a large bowl, toss the nectarines and blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
   • Arrange the fruit mixture in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the edges of the dough over the fruit, pleating as necessary.

3. Bake the tart:

   • Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
   • Let the tart cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe inspired by Delish.

thebrookcook.wordpress.com

Nectarine & Blueberry Tart - thebrookcook - WordPress.com

July 29, 2020 — Nectarine & Blueberry Tart · 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar · 1 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour · 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided · 6 ounces ...

The Honest Spoon

FRESH NECTARINE AND BLUEBERRY TART - the honest spoon

August 6, 2019 — INGREDIENTS: · 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed · 3 Nectarines, rinsed, halved and thinly sliced · 1/4 Cup or handful of blueberries, rinsed · 3 ...

Bowtie Baking

Blueberry Nectarine Tart - Bow Tie Baking

July 3, 2018 — 1 large egg yolk, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 1/4 cup apricot jam, 4-5 ripe nectarines, 3/4 cups (110 g) fresh blueberries, Confectioners, sugar, for dusting.

Delish

Rustic Blueberry and Nectarine Tart Recipe - Delish

June 19, 2011 — Ingredients · 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour · 10 Tbsp. cold butter · 2 Tbsp. cold butter · 1/4 cup sugar · 3 Tbsp. sugar · 1/4 tsp. kosher salt ...

rockrecipes.com

Blueberry Nectarine Tart - Rock Recipes

September 2, 2008 — Arrange the nectarine slices in a single layer on the blind baked crust. Do not overlap them and leave about a ½ inch between the slices. Mix ...

vegetariantimes.com

Nectarine Tart with Blueberries Recipe | Vegetarian Times

1. To make Crust: Stir sugar and yeast into 1/2 cup warm (110°F) water. · 2. Whisk together eggs and butter in bowl. · 3. Combine flour, salt, and zest in bowl.

Oprah Winfrey Network

Rustic Blueberry and Nectarine Tart Recipe - Oprah.com

In a large bowl, toss together blueberries, nectarines, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and cornstarch