spring wants-its: the food edition

i love spring food because it signals the beginning of all that luscious fresh produce!  my parents have a massive garden in their backyard and i am just chomping at the bit waiting on fresh tomatoes, corn, zucchini, eggplant, okra, green beans, herbs, and the list goes on and on.  here are a few of my favorite spring recipes to tide me {and you!} over:

i hated peas as a child, but now i just can't get enough!  this soup is so light and refreshing and yummy! i generally make my own crostini to dip in it and goat cheese {giada suggests mozzarella, but i'm a goat girl} on top is a must.

one of my all-time favorite cupcake recipes.  my secret is that while the cupcakes are still warm, i poke a few holes in the top and spread on a little bit of the cream of coconut.  keeps them supermoist and adds a little extra coconut kick.  these are SO yummy!

i ADORE fresh strawberries and i haven't found a better strawberry shortcake than this one {rip gourmet magazine}. however, the original recipe called for cream biscuits, whereas this one now lists a buttermilk biscuit recipe.  i think the cream biscuits are the only way to go, so here's paula's recipe for them.

i. love. asparagus.  anyway you can fix it, i will eat it.  i received virginia willis's divine cookbook bon appetit y'all for christmas and i am DYING to try the asparagus salad recipe.  will let you know how it turns out!

and y'all know i can't do a post on cooking without a recipe from my latest obsession, the pioneer woman.  something about quiche {or bacon pie, as my co-worker's son calls it} just says spring to me {maybe because it's a bridal shower fixture?} and i can't wait to try her recipe!