Spring Nibbles

Start off with these adorable Buttermilk-Chive Biscuits filled with ham, or make them when you have leftover Easter ham.

Put a spring twist on classic deviled eggs by adding spring greens in Watercress and Green Onion Deviled Eggs.

Make Simple White Bean Spread and garnish it with herbs from your garden.

Simple Side Dishes for the Season

Try Honey-Glazed Carrots -just 5 ingredients.

It takes only 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to make Easy Roasted Asparagus.

Pair seasonal greens with tahini, lemon and garlic in Creamy Sesame Greens -just 4 ingredients.

Swiss Chard with Tomatoes, Feta and Pine Nuts requires a few more ingredients-8 in all-but think of all the flavor and color!

Serve simple Scalloped Potatoes (6 ingredients) alongside lamb or brisket.

Main Course Possibilities

Fragrant fresh herbs, garlic and vinegar prove a perfect match for slow-cooked Roasted Brisket with Parsley, Mint and Thyme.

Roasted Leg of Lamb gets a spring update with the addition of spring onions and mint.

Looking for a way to dress up your Easter ham? Try this Maple-Orange Glaze.

For a seafood centerpiece, try Roasted Salmon Stuffed with Spinach, Feta and Ricotta.

Or if you’re cooking for a smaller group, consider Poached Halibut with Ginger and Cilantro.

Spring Brunch

Brunch is one of my favorite weekend traditions, especially when the weather is fine for sitting outside and enjoying the garden.

Prepare Portobello and Asparagus Egg Strata the night before, then bake in the morning for a lovely meal. Serve with fruit salad and your favorite muffins.

Go the classic brunch route with a quiche and a large green salad. Try Goat Cheese and Leek Quiche or Vegan Quiche with mushrooms, spinach and bell peppers.

Add some fruit to your salad and dressing with a Spring Salad with Strawberries and Creamy Orange-Avocado Dressing.

A platter of Spring Rotisserie Chicken Sandwiches with buttermilk avocado dressing, radishes and parsley will please a crowd.

It doesn’t get much easier than Berry Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches, a hit with the kiddos especially!

Make sure to have a basket of warm Blueberry Spelt Muffins and Morning Glory Muffins (or Gluten-Free Morning Glory Muffins) on your table.

Spring Sweets

Offer a plate of delicate Lemon Treats, small bites of tangy sweetness.

Squares of Buttermilk Lemon Blueberry Cake are easy to make and easier to enjoy.

Try our Minted Strawberry Fool, featuring berries folded into whipped yogurt and cream.

Tell us– what’s on your spring table this season?

Even if you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green or drinking green beer, we wholeheartedly recommend eating something green too – and not just on March 17th! Start planning your menu to make sure you have something green on your plate. Here are some of our favorite green foods and recipes:

It’s never too early in the day to eat some greens. Try adding a boost of green to your morning routine with a Get Your Greens Smoothie.

For lunch, how about a Quick Hummus and Vegetable-Stuffed Pita? Pack it full of your favorite green veggies like cucumber, lettuce, green onions and sprouts.

Double your green quotient with edamame and avocado in this super tasty guacamole, great as a dip or sandwich spread.

Or triple the green factor in this fresh salad of lentils, arugula and pesto.

For dinner, you could start the meal on a green note with Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup.

Then make a classic St. Patty’s Day feast of Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls.

Another tasty option is Cabbage and Cheddar Gratin. Serve it alongside corned beef, or on its own as a vegetarian main dish.

Corned beef not your thing? Try green eggs and ham in this Pancetta Pesto Souffle.

Whether you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or not, you can’t go wrong with a side of Creamy Sesame Greens.

And how about a little something sweet with a little something green? This gets tricky… Carrot Zucchini Cupcakes fit the bill.

Or Cranberry-Pistachio Oatmeal Lace Cookies are flecked with green nuts.

And may we recommend drinking a few cups of green tea on St. Patrick’s Day? Get the whole story on green tea.

What’s going to be green on your menu this St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know in the comments below!

Whole Planet Foundation empowers entrepreneurs in our global communities through microcredit, and this month marks the beginning of Whole Planet Foundation’s Annual Prosperity Campaign. Now through March 31st, please join fellow Whole Foods Market shoppers, team members, Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners and online donors to help raise $1.5 million for 40,000 impoverished people living in communities around the globe where Whole Foods Market sources products. These people, places and products have inspired us to create recipes honoring them.

To get in the spirit, check out these recipes inspired by Whole Planet Foundation microcredit clients from around the world:

Vegetable Biryani with Cashews

This satisfying vegetarian recipe was inspired by microcredit clients in India, where Whole Foods Market sources cashews.

Coconut Bread

Euceria, a baker and Whole Planet Foundation microcredit client, lives in the Caribbean coastal village of Guadalupe, Honduras. Pan de coco (coconut bread) is a regional staple and was the inspiration for our recipe.

Guatemalan Chicken Stew with Tomatillo Sauce

This stew was inspired by microcredit clients in Guatemala. Serve it with corn tortillas on the side for soaking up the rich and tangy tomatillo and green onion sauce.

Haitian Pumpkin Soup

Whole Planet Foundation Team Members had the pleasure of meeting Norzina, a lumber and charcoal vendor and microcredit client of Fonkoze, Whole Planet Foundation’s implementing partner in Haiti, on a recent trip and watched her make this traditional recipe.

Ethiopian Chickpea Stew

We decided to create this hearty, highly flavorful vegetarian stew after seeing photos of microcredit clients in Ethiopia roasting chickpeas. This recipe was inspired by Letegebrieal, a Whole Planet Foundation entrepreneur who runs a chickpea roasting business.

Peruvian Beef and Potato Soup

Whole Foods Market sources onions from the Arequipa region of Peru. This soup is satisfying and simple to prepare.

Mango Agua Fresca

The trick with making agua fresca (Spanish for “fresh water”) is to infuse the water with fruit essence without turning it into a smoothie or slushy drink. This recipe was inspired by Maria, a street food vendor and Whole Planet Foundation microcredit client who lives in León, Nicaragua.

Rice and Beans

Gallo pinto, or “spotted rooster,” gets its name from the black beans and their dark liquid that speckle the rice. This national dish of Costa Rica and Nicaragua is frequently served alongside fried eggs, meat or plantains. This recipe was also inspired by Maria.

Easy No-Cook Appetizers

Seafood Cucumber Stacks

Make these pretty little seafood bites, then take a break and enjoy them with a glass of sparkling wine before you tackle the rest of the meal.

Herb Crusted Goat Cheese

Prosciutto, Brie and Apricot Roll-Ups

Simple White Bean Spread

Favorite Seasonal Salads and Sides

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

It doesn’t get more beautiful or easy than this simple salad!

Fennel and Tangerine Salad

Coconut-Milk Braised Greens

Mashed Cauliflower

Roasted Parsnips and Sweet Potatoes

Vegetarian

Spinach Fettuccine with Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This elegant pasta dish comes together quickly, especially if you choose to go with canned artichokes for convenience.

Bell Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa

Lettuce Wraps with Chile Peanut Noodles

Savory Fig and Goat Cheese Tart with Arugula

Seafood

Swiss Chard-Wrapped Salmon

Salmon gets all wrapped up and presented in a pretty package of Swiss Chard leaves in this flavorful recipe using just five ingredients.

Maryland Crab Cakes

Poached Halibut with Ginger and Cilantro

Tamari and Honey Glazed Scallops

Meat

Spaghetti and Meatballs

You can’t go wrong with this classic choice. Stop by our wine department and ask for a recommendation for the perfect pairing.

Heirloom Lettuce with Sweet-and-Tangy Grilled Chicken

Pork Tenderloin with Romesco Sauce

Steaks with Red Wine Herb Sauce

Sweets for your Sweeties

Fruity, Nutty, Chocolate Valentines

Make a batch of Chocolate Valentines to deliver along with Valentine’s cards.

Coconut Chocolate Sauce

Double-Chocolate Heart-Shaped Cookies

Flourless Chocolate Cake

So, what’s on your Valentine’s Day menu this year? Will you be staying in and cooking at home or hitting the restaurant scene? Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dips and Spreads

Edamame Guacamole – My current fave! Made with avocado and edamame, this guacamole variation is both creamy and fresh.

Eight Layer Mediterranean Dip

Homemade Hummus

Pita Chips with Sweet Potato Mash

Check out more dips and spreads.

Hot Appetizers

Herb Roasted Sweet Potato Skins – A fun and tasty cross between French fries and potato skins. Very easy to prepare too.

Black and Blue Veggie Nachos

Cocktail Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Killer Artichoke Dip

Spicy Cheddar-Jack Cauliflower Dip

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Potato Skins with Roasted Chicken, Onions and Sour Cream

Check out all of our appetizer recipes.

Feed a Crowd of Football Lovers

Roll Your Own Burritos – Serving some heartier fare? These do-it-yourself burritos will keep you in front of the TV, not toiling in the kitchen.

Shortcut Sloppy Joes

Touchdown Turkey Chili

White Bean and Kale Soup with Chicken Sausage

Check out more chilis, soups and stews.

Sweet Small Bites

Flourless Brownies – Make sure to bake extras and wait until they’ve been devoured before revealing the secret ingredient.

Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

My Fruit Nutty Chocolate Valentine

Find more dessert recipes.

What winning recipes are on your Big Game menu? Share your ideas in the comments below!

The ultimate winner? Flourless Brownies! These incredibly moist brownies taste great and include a super secret ingredient that won over the skeptics. Read all about it and give them a try.

Want to be part of the ratings for next year? You can post comments and rate recipes simply by setting up an account on our website. You’ll also be able to create online shopping lists and save recipes to your personal recipe box.

Here are this year’s winner and runner-ups:

Flourless Brownies
4 stars by 42 people and 69 comments!

Pumpkin Chocolate Cake
4 stars by 19 people and 36 comments

Crispy Rice Treats
4 stars by 3 people and 15 comments

Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
3.7 stars by 11 people and 15 comments

Gluten-Free Pie Crust
5 stars by 2 people and 13 comments

Frosted Spiced Cupcakes
5 stars by 1 person and 12 comments

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
4.7 stars by 19 people and 11 comments

Interested in more ideas? Check out our full list of Make It Natural recipes.

So, what favorite recipes of yours need a natural makeover? We’re gearing up to develop some new favorites, so let us know what you want to see in Make It Natural next year. Just post your request in the comments section below. If we select your recipe for a healthy makeover and publish the improved version on our website, we’ll send you a $25 Whole Foods Market gift card!

Don’t know about you, but the cooler weather makes us want to indulge in comfort foods. Around here, we find it a fun challenge to take a closer look at comfort favorites and see if we can make some simple changes to improve the nutrition without compromising on flavor. We know you are doing the same thing because one reader, James, sent in a great idea for a rice pudding update-he suggested making this classic, homey dessert with brown rice, non-dairy milk and dried fruits. What a perfect example of how easy it is to update a recipe with a simple swap of a whole grain for a non-whole grain.

We took James’ suggestions and created this delightful Baked Brown Rice Pudding.

Here are the changes from the standard version of rice pudding:

• We used whole grain brown rice instead of white rice. You can cook your own (leftover plain brown rice is perfect) or use the super-convenient frozen, already cooked brown rice. Brown rice boosts dietary fiber, manganese, magnesium and selenium. Find out more about the benefits of eating whole grains and get ideas on incorporating them into your diet.
• We used organic light coconut milk instead of dairy milk for creaminess and a subtle sweetness. Light coconut milk has about 71% less fat and 67% fewer calories than regular coconut milk.
• Dried cherries, dried apricots and raisins add great texture and a perfect amount of sweetness. They also contribute some vitamin A, potassium and fiber.
• ” Almonds contribute toasty flavor along with fiber and a boost of important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and vitamin E. Did you know almonds contain more calcium than other nuts? A great choice!

What efforts are you making to add some healthy angles to holiday recipes? We want to hear all about them!

Did you miss the recipe link above? Here is the full recipe for our Baked Brown Rice Pudding. Got a recipe that needs a natural makeover? Post it in the comments section below! If we select your recipe and publish the improved version on our website, we’ll send you a $25 Whole Foods Market gift card.

‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings, and it’s never too late to make a plan to invite friends and neighbors over for an evening of good food and company.

Hosting a holiday party is easier than you might think.

Step 1: Get the good stuff for holiday entertaining with our ideas for everything from Holiday Décor to Snacks and Sweets, Festive Quaffers, Nogs and More.

Step 2: Plan your party spread. Stop by our in-store holiday table for options from our prepared foods department, or if you’d like to make some homemade appetizers, check out our favorites to get your holiday party started. Mix and match recipes so you’ll have an assortment of appetizers you can make ahead of time as well as some no-cook, quick-to-assemble options.

No-Cook Nibbles

Prosciutto, Brie and Apricot Rollups

Seafood Cucumber Stacks

Shrimp Cocktail with Green Onion Dipping Sauce

Spreads and Dips

Edamame Guacamole

Homemade Hummus

Party-time Pimento Cheese

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Hummus

Roquefort Dip

Tofu Curry Dip with Chives

White Bean Spread

Winter Squash Crostini

Nuts

Maple Sugar Walnuts

Nuts and Bolts

Spiced Nuts

Baked Starters

Baked Apple and Brie Canapes

Chicken, Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Tart

Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Bites

Herb-Roasted Sweet Potato Skins

Spicy Jack-Cheddar Cauliflower Dip

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Browse our full recipe collection for more ideas.

Step 3: Relax and enjoy the holidays!

Are you ready to tie on an apron, get out the rolling pin and start baking dozens of holiday cookies? I am! Mixing up batches of dough and baking trays of cookies while listening to holiday music on a Sunday afternoon in December must be one of my favorite holiday activities. There’s something irresistible about the aroma of warm spices and freshly baked goodies. For help with your seasonal baking, check out our holiday baking guide.

What will you do with all those cookies you’re going to bake, besides savor them with a tall glass of milk? A few ideas to get you started:

• Organize a cookie exchange at home with friends and neighbors or in the office. Ask everyone to bring a few dozen cookies, then mix and match to end up with an assortment of holiday treats.
• Cookies make great gifts. Wrap them up in waxed or parchment paper and tie with ribbons, or package them in reusable tins. Recipients will be delighted by your thoughtfulness.
• Host a holiday dessert party. Bake several kinds of cookies (the beauty is that they all can be made ahead of time), make pots of coffee, spiced tea and hot chocolate, and sit back and relax with your guests.
• Remember to save some for Santa!

Here are some of our favorite recipes. What are you going to be baking this holiday season?

Drop Cookies (simply drop dough onto baking sheets)

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal Lace Cookies

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Hand-shaped Cookies (enlist some kids to help shape these)

Chai-Spiced Cookies

Mexican Tea Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

Roll-out Cookies (use a rolling pin)

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Classic Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Mocha Sugar Cookies

Ginger Sugar Cookies

Sugar-Dusted Whole Wheat Graham Crackers

Icebox Cookies (shape dough into logs, chill, slice and bake)

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Peppermint Frosting

Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Bars (simply cut into squares after baking)

Date-Pecan Pumpkin Squares

Flourless Brownies

For the Baker Seeking a Challenge

Chocolate Drizzled Pistachio Biscotti

Chocolate Swirl Meringue Cookies

Fig Rugelach

Gingerbread Twists

Confections (not cookies)

Candied Lemon Peels and Orange Peels

Candied Walnuts with Dark Chocolate and Orange Zest

Triple Chocolate Sour Cherry Fudge

Happy holiday baking!

Mashed Potatoes

• Mix with some cooked chopped cabbage, kale or other hearty winter green for a quick version of colcannon, an Irish staple.
• Sauté sliced leeks in butter until soft, then puree with chicken stock and mashed potatoes for a delicious winter soup.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

• Make a quick sweet-potato bisque by pureeing peeled or mashed potatoes with stock and coconut milk. Stir in a little curry powder for an exotic touch, or add cooked rice and chopped turkey for a hearty main course.
• Make sweet potato croquettes: mix chilled, mashed potatoes with beaten egg, roll into cylinders and coat with panko breadcrumbs. Pan-fry until crisped and heated through.

Cranberry Sauce

• Mix with plain yogurt for breakfast or a satisfying snack.
• Stir some chopped pecans or walnuts into your sauce and serve as a chutney with crackers and cheeses – particularly delicious with Stilton or farmhouse Cheddar!

Roasted Vegetables

• Chop and use in a brunch or lunch frittata or quiche; add a little diced ham or dark-meat turkey for extra flavor.
• Mix with cooked, cooled grains like barley, wheat berries or brown rice and toss with your favorite vinaigrette for a satisfying lunch or side dish.

Rolls and Breads

• Make a panzanella (Italian bread salad) by tossing cubed day-old bread or rolls with lots of quartered grape tomatoes, diced red onion, baby greens, and olive oil and balsamic.
• Don’t forget French toast! Rich, dense breads like brioche or honey-wheat work particularly well.

Stuffing or Dressing

• Make “stuffing muffins” by pressing dressing or stuffing into the cups of a butter muffin tin and baking at 350°F until hot and crisp on top; sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs just before serving.
• Mix with nuts or dried fruit and use as a filling for halved, roasted winter squash like acorn or delicata.

Turkey

Check out our favorite recipes using leftover turkey, or try these quick fixes:

• For a turkey Cobb salad, spread chopped lettuce over a platter and top with rows of diced turkey breast, crumbled blue cheese, chopped tomato, chopped red onion, and diced avocado; serve with oil and vinegar or your favorite vinaigrette.
• Boil up your favorite pasta shape, then toss with shredded turkey, prepared pesto sauce, lots of freshly grated black pepper and Parmesan.

Gravy

• Toss with whole wheat farfalle or egg noodles and lots of fresh chopped parsley for a hearty side dish.
• Stir a few spoonfuls into a broth-based soup like chicken noodle or mushroom barley for instant flavor and richness.

What’s your favorite trick for using up leftovers?