(Family Features) Chasing away those final cool days in the spring can be done in a cinch: just turn classic chicken noodle soup into a fresh, lemony meal. This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup calls to mind those classic brothy soups from when you were a kid but with a flavorful spring twist. Serve with fresh cucumber sandwiches for a veggie-forward meal and find more soup inspiration at Culinary.net.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6

• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
• 6 cups broth
• 1 cup orzo
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• cucumber sandwiches, for serving

1. Chop carrots and celery. In pot, saute with butter.
2. In bowl, mix chicken with lemon juice and lemon pepper then set aside.
3. After carrots and celery are tender, add broth and orzo to pot. Then add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes then add chicken and cream; simmer about 5 minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cucumber sandwiches.

  SOURCE: Culinary.net

A Simple, Savory Taco Solution

(Family Features)Skip the hot skillet and let your slow cooker do the work for your next taco night. These Savory Street Tacos provide all the delicious flavor you crave without the hassle. Discover more ways to simplify family dinners at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Savory Street Tacos
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy ”
Servings: 4-6

• 1          chuck roast (2-3 pounds)
• 1          package taco seasoning
• 1          can (10 ounces) beef consomme
• 16-20   street taco tortillas
• 1          package (8 ounces) shredded cheese
• 1/4       cup avocado oil
• salsa, for serving
• guacamole, for serving
• queso, for serving

1. Cover chuck roast with taco seasoning then place in slow cooker. Pour beef consommé over roast and cook on low 6 hours to braise.
2. Heat oven to 425 F.
3. Use fork to shred roast.
4. Brush outside of tortillas with avocado oil and fill with meat and shredded cheese. Place in casserole dish and bake 10-15 minutes until tacos reach desired crispiness.
5. Place on tray and serve with salsa, guacamole and queso.

Tip: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Want to make this Mother’s Day extra special? Skip the crowded restaurants and show Mom your love through a home-cooked meal she’ll never forget. We’ve crafted three foolproof recipes that even kitchen novices can master – because nothing says “I love you” quite like a meal made from the heart.

🌟 1. Heavenly Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Compote

Picture golden, cloud-like pancakes that practically float off the plate, their edges delicately crispy while their centers remain pillowy-soft and tender. The rich, creamy ricotta creates pockets of moisture that melt in your mouth, while bright lemon zest cuts through with citrusy sparkle. The warm berry compote cascades over the stack, its jewel-toned fruits bursting with sweet-tart juice that mingles perfectly with pure maple syrup.

🍳 2. Mediterranean Brunch Board

A feast for both eyes and palate, this stunning spread features eggs with golden yolks that ooze luxuriously when broken, their richness enhanced by aromatic dukkah’s nutty crunch. Creamy, house-made hummus swirled with extra virgin olive oil sits alongside prosciutto roses that fold like silk. Fresh figs, split to reveal their honey-sweet crimson centers, nestle against wedges of artisanal cheese that range from buttery-soft to crystalline-sharp. Every bite tells a story of Mediterranean sunshine.

👑 3. Herb-Crusted Salmon with Champagne Cream Sauce

A masterpiece of textures and flavors: the salmon’s herb crust offers a satisfying crackle before revealing the perfectly cooked, rose-pink flesh beneath that flakes at the mere touch of a fork. The champagne cream sauce, velvety and sophisticated, pools elegantly around the fish, its subtle bubbles lending an air of celebration. Bright green asparagus spears provide the perfect crisp-tender contrast, while the wild mushroom risotto, infused with earthy aromatics and finished with a generous shower of Parmesan, creates a bed of creamy comfort that ties the whole dish together.

Why These Recipes Work:

Each recipe can be partially prepped in advance

Ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets

They’re impressive without being overly complicated

Perfect balance of flavors and textures

Suitable for various dietary preferences

Each bite is carefully crafted to create not just a meal, but a memorable experience that shows Mom just how special she is. The interplay of textures and flavors in each dish creates a symphony of tastes that will linger in her memory long after the last bite.

Here are some Wine Pairings to make these dishes perfect:

🌟 Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Perfect Pairing: Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti

Why it works: The light bubbles and subtle sweetness complement the citrus notes while cutting through the richness of the ricotta.

🍳 Mediterranean Brunch Board

Perfect Pairing: Rosé or Albariño

Why it works: A crisp, dry rosé enhances the salty prosciutto and creamy cheeses, while Albariño’s mineral notes complement the Mediterranean flavors.

👑 Herb-Crusted Salmon

Perfect Pairing: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir

Why it works: A lightly oaked Chardonnay matches the richness of the champagne sauce, while a light-bodied Pinot Noir works beautifully with the herb crust.

Plating Instructions:

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:

Stack 3-4 pancakes slightly off-center on a warm, white plate

Drizzle berry compote in an artistic swoosh from 2 o’clock to 7 o’clock

Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar

Pro tip: Use a wide, flat plate to let the colors pop against the white background

Mediterranean Brunch Board:

Start with a large wooden board or slate platter

Create height by placing small bowls of hummus and dips at different points

Arrange prosciutto roses in a cascading pattern

Group cheeses by type, creating a gradient from soft to hard

Fill negative space with fresh herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Use small olive wood bowls for dips to add rustic elegance

Herb-Crusted Salmon:

Place the risotto in a shallow bowl using a ring mold

Position the salmon at a 45-degree angle, slightly overlapping the risotto

Arrange asparagus spears like a fan

Drizzle champagne sauce in an elegant circle around the plate

Garnish with micro herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Warm the plates before serving to keep everything at perfect temperature

Remember: The most important ingredient isn’t listed in any recipe – it’s the love and thought you put into making Mom’s day special. These meals aren’t just about the food; they’re about creating precious moments together.

Ready to make Mom’s day unforgettable? Save these recipes now and start planning your Mother’s Day menu. Trust us – seeing her face light up will be worth every minute in the kitchen.

Here are some related links to further help you make Mother’s Day special:

Good Housekeeping: 55 Best Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas – Good Housekeeping

Food Network: Mother’s Day Recipes: Brunch, Dinner, Desserts and More

NYT Cooking: Mother’s Day Recipes – NYT Cooking

Happy Mother’s Day!

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