Spring is in the air, finally! In celebration, I went looking for verdant and vibrant kitchen things in all shades of green. Here's to the end of dark, grey days and the beginning of a beautiful season — outside and in your kitchen!

It's not very often that I whip up a plated lamb dinner for friends. Good-quality lamb is a real splurge, but sometimes life's events call for nothing less than the best. This simple, showstopping menu does just that.

At this moment, I have my kitchen door open, and from my table I can see daffodils, new green grass, and yes, leaves. Hallelujah. It's about time. I love winter, and snow, but the leaves are overdue this year and I've missed them. Green leaves mean crunchy leaves on the plate, too — tender lettuce, juicy and crisp. Let's gather up some leaves and eat a salad for lunch; it's time. This one is a light yet nourishing lunch, with red quinoa and avocado to make it just a little more satisfying.

I was always scared to attempt risotto, so it wasn't until culinary school that I realized how easy they actually are. Time consuming, yes. Hard? Not at all. But then I discovered baked risotto and I've never looked back. This version with peas, asparagus, and pancetta is a personal favorite, and the epitome of spring! 

Green almonds have the briefest whisper of a season in the spring before their shells harden and start looking (and tasting!) more like the almonds we know and love. They are tart and crisp and subversively addictive around cocktail hour. If you see them, promise me that you'll give this uber-seasonal delicacy a try.

Every week I look forward to Dana Velden's Weekend Meditation here at The Kitchn. Her small essays always prompt me towards thoughtfulness and gratitude, and peel back new layers of thinking about the kitchen, the home, and living in the world. Dana has this weekend off, but we didn't want to leave you without a dose of meditation. Here is a look back at 10 of our favorite meditations from Dana, all with an eye towards spring and new beginnings. Enjoy! 

As you stroll through the farmers' market this April, keep your eye out for ramps. This is their season, and it's a fleeting one. These wild leeks have a pungent garlicky flavor, and pair wonderfully with eggs and creamy dishes, like risotto. If you have a bunch in hand, try one of these 10 recipes spotlighting this quintessential spring ingredient. But do it fast — they'll be gone before you know it.

Spring seems to be the season for moving — at least judging by the number of my friends who are packing up and moving homes right now! As soon as the books are on the shelves and the forks are back in a drawer, it's time to invite the masses over to check out your awesome new digs. A bag of chips and bowls of dip will not suffice for this housewarming, oh no! Let's make sure this party is the memorable first of many more to come.

Quiche — that wonderful savory breakfast pie — is the perfect make-ahead brunch recipe. I was looking for a fresh, spring recipe when I came across this quiche from Stephanie of Desserts for Breakfast. As Stephanie says, this recipe features a "myriad of textures and flavors" — fresh peas, sweet butternut squash, a little bite and tang from the feta cheese, all topped with garlic. Sounds like the perfect midday crowd-pleaser. 

At the start of spring, the whole world seems to be bursting with tiny, irresistible signs of new life: green leaves sprouting from branches, fuzzy kittens popping up in my Facebook feed, and tender, sweet new potatoes making their brief annual appearance at the market. They may not last long, but when preparing ingredients this fresh and fleeting, the upside is that you don't have to do much to make them stand out. Simply boiled and tossed with fresh herbs and anchovy-flecked butter, new potatoes are a savory, soul-satisfying way to celebrate spring.