CBTea

There are many variations of the roulade, which is basically a filled and rolled omelette. Our roulade encases whipped tofu and spinach, with the option of smoked salmon, and coupled with a delicious pico de gallo, it’s a lunchtime winner. Make-ahead tips To make ahead, prepare pico de gallo, drain and chop spinach, and whip up tofu. Store each in separate lidded containers and refrigerate overnight.

This strawberry-rhubarb cake is proof that gluten-free baking is much more forgiving than people give it credit for. Between my recipe testers and me, we’ve tried this cake a dozen different ways, including using (accidentally) a precooked roll of polenta instead of the dried sack. Somehow that cake still turned out delicious (though presumably involved a LOT of whisking . . .). To clarify, you are looking for medium-ground cornmeal, which is most frequently called polenta (avoid the “instant” kind). I love the combination of the gritty cornmeal with rich, nutty almond flour, but you can use a finer cornmeal, or substitute buckwheat, white rice, or oat flour for the almond flour. The cake is not too sweet, and the combination of strawberry and rhubarb adds a tart finish. Though I discourage eating cake on an empty stomach, my friend aptly called it an “everyday snacking cake.” CHANGE OF SEASON: Sub fresh blueberries, raspberries, thinly sliced peaches (2 small), thinly sliced Meyer lemons, or blood oranges for the strawberry-rhubarb combination.

Boiled green lentils tossed with crunchy carrots and a biting Dijon dressing is an iconic French side dish to eat alongside a piece of poached salmon or chicken. But it often looks like a stodgy brown mess. This recipe dresses up those drab legumes with all the colors of the spring rainbow: pink radishes, green sugar snaps, and garnet (or golden) roasted beets. The latter can be roasted a few days in advance to save time, and you can do the rest of the chopping and whisking while the lentils cook. The salad is finished with a little Italian flair—balsamic vinaigrette and torn basil. Garlicky walnuts add crunch, and if you’re angling for another carb companion, add shaved parmesan or ricotta salata. MAKE IT A MEAL: Bulk up this salad by tossing it with marinated kale or baby arugula, or serve it alongside chicken, fish, or grilled portobellos.

This fresh dish embraces all of the freshness of the season, especially when not accompanied by a cloying cream sauce. Presentation is as simple—and beautiful—as artfully arranging the salad on a large shallow platter. But it can be equally visually charming arranged on single serving dishes. Protein option Looking to substitute another protein for salmon in this recipe? Cooked chicken torn into strips is equally delicious with this flavour-packed dressing.