April 2011 Calendar: Simple Spring Menus

Celebrate the season with menus featuring the fresh flavors and bright colors of spring.

1 of 31

April Fools' Supper

Outprank your family with this deliciously wacky meal. They'll love the recipes even more when they're served in unpredictable ways. (Serves 4)
April Fools' Supper Menu

2 of 31

Festive Spring Lunch

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Whether for a ladies' luncheon or a Sunday family gathering, juicy roasted chicken paired with a veggie-pasta toss and fresh fruit salad make a simple and stunning meal. (Serves 6)
Festive Spring Lunch Menu

3 of 31

Welcome Spring

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Because this lovely seasonal menu features springtime classics like fava beans, fresh peas, and strawberries, it's worth a trip to the farmer's market for the freshest produce. (Serves 8)
Welcome Spring Menu

4 of 31

Season's Bounty Menu

Shrimp Salad with Blood Oranges and Slivered Fennel

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

With quick-cooking fresh seasonal ingredients, you'll enjoy less time in the kitchen and lighter fare as the weather starts to warm. (Serves 4)
Season's Bounty Menu Menu

5 of 31

Florida-Inspired Spring Menu

If you'll be landlocked this spring, whip up some of these Sunshine State dishes instead. (Serves 4-6)
Florida-Inspired Spring Menu Menu

6 of 31

Easy Spring Supper

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Welcome the season with a doable yet impressive menu featuring grilled pork tenderloin, grilled fennel, and avocado soup. (Serves 8-10)
Easy Spring Supper Menu

7 of 31

Taste of Spring

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Get outdoors and enjoy the mild weather with an elegant but easy picnic for two. (Serves 2)
Taste of Spring Menu

8 of 31

Spring Awakening Menu

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Here’s a make-ahead menu that’s perfect for Easter or even a lazy Sunday with friends. (Serves 8)
Spring Awakening Menu Menu

9 of 31

Spring Dinner Party

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Cathy Muir

These dishes look as delicious as they taste—without any extra work. (Serves 8)
Spring Dinner Party Menu

10 of 31

Easy Springtime Party

Chicken Scaloppine With Spinach and Linguine

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Get a spectacular look and big flavors for less than $10 per person. (Serves 6)
Easy Springtime Party Menu

11 of 31

Celebrate Passover with Style

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

This Southern family's popular menu for Passover is ideal for your spring get-together. (Serves 8)
Celebrate Passover with Style Menu

12 of 31

Elegant Easter

Classic Baked Ham with Maple-Mustard Glaze

Pair golden glazed ham with fresh spring asparagus and morels, new potatoes and fresh thyme for a stylish meal. (Serves 6)
Elegant Easter Menu

13 of 31

Laid-Back Easter Sunday Dinner

Take a break from the traditional Easter ham and lamb by serving grilled chicken, a cheesy pasta casserole, and seasonal sides. (Serves 8-10)
Laid-Back Easter Sunday Dinner Menu

14 of 31

Easter Gathering

Howard L. Puckett

Strike just the right balance between refined and relaxed with this attractive menu. (Serves 8)
Easter Gathering Menu

15 of 31

Formal Easter Dinner For Four

Bacon-Blue Cheese Salad With White Wine Vinaigrette

Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

No one will ever guess this elegant menu is so simple to fix. Much of the prep work can be done ahead. (Serves 4)
Formal Easter Dinner For Four Menu

16 of 31

Share the Joy of Passover

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Fresh ideas for traditional Passover favorites highlight this inviting menu. (Serves 4 to 8)
Share the Joy of Passover Menu

17 of 31

Greek Easter

Rachel Weill

Celebrate spring with a tasty menu of traditional favorites, like Greek salad, Easter bread, and grilled leg of lamb. (Serves 8)
Greek Easter Menu

18 of 31

Passover Meal

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

The traditional Passover dinner includes the seder plate, which contains the most important symbolic foods of the meal. (Serves 8)
Passover Meal Menu

19 of 31

Easter Dinner in the Dining Room

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Find all of your perennial holiday favorites in this updated yet traditional family menu featuring sweet glazed ham, creamy potatoes, fresh asparagus, and coconut cake. (Serves 8)
Easter Dinner in the Dining Room Menu

20 of 31

Easter Dinner Menu

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

This festive meal is a pleasure to host because you do most of the preparation in advance. (Serves 8)
Easter Dinner Menu Menu

21 of 31

Easter with Ease

With a little advance planning, you'll reap the rewards of a virtually effortless menu. (Serves 6)
Easter with Ease Menu

22 of 31

Cool and Casual Easter Luncheon

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Make everything ahead, then sit back and chill! A few finishing touches bring these warm-weather favorites to the table in style. (Serves 8)
Cool and Casual Easter Luncheon Menu

23 of 31

Elegant Easter Brunch Menu

Photo: Mark Thomas; Styling: Stephana Bottom

This simple and elegant holiday meal features sweet banana muffins, glazed ham, potato salad, spring peas, and a simple fruit salad for dessert. (Serves 8)
Elegant Easter Brunch Menu Menu

24 of 31

Easter Family Reunion Menu

Gather loved ones from near and far for an unforgettable reunion feast featuring seasonal spring fare. (Serves 8)
Easter Family Reunion Menu Menu

25 of 31

Italian Menu

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

This sophisticated dinner takes cues from the Mediterranean, using ingredients like pistachios and polenta to complement the lamb. (Serves 8)
Italian Menu Menu

26 of 31

Hawaiian-Inspired Spring Menu

Randy Mayor

From Kona Macadamia-Caramel Torte to Chicken Char Siu, this exotic menu will have you saying "Aloha!" in no time. (Serves 8-10)
Hawaiian-Inspired Spring Menu Menu

27 of 31

A Festive Family Feast

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Enjoy a fun Easter without formality and treat your family to a juicy, fruit-glazed ham with an array of feisty sides like caramelized onion dip and tangy pasta salad. (Serves 8)
A Festive Family Feast Menu

28 of 31

Alfresco Luncheon with Grilled Lamb

Coconut Cream Tarts with Macadamia Nut Crusts

Welcome in the warm spring climate by serving lunch outdoors. (Serves 8)
Alfresco Luncheon with Grilled Lamb Menu

29 of 31

Spring Dinner with a (Lemon) Twist

Roast Chicken with Meyer Lemon Shallot Sauce

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker

Brighten your menu, and table, with fresh citrus. (Serves 6 to 8)
Spring Dinner with a (Lemon) Twist Menu

30 of 31

Spring Camping

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Nothing beats roasting marshmallows over an open fire or pulling a foil-wrapped, piping hot dinner out of glowing red coals. (Serves 4-6)
Spring Camping Menu

Replay gallery

Account

Simple Spring Menus