Struggle Meals Season 3 Episode 8 Spring Fling

Struggle Meals season 3 episode 8, titled "Spring Fling," focuses on creating fresh and flavorful meals that showcase the best of spring produce while also keeping within a budget. Host Frankie Celenza takes viewers through three delicious recipes, each highlighting a different aspect of spring ingredients and demonstrating how easy and affordable it can be to cook seasonal meals at home.

The first recipe is for a bright and zesty Spring Citrus Salad, featuring a mix of juicy oranges, tangy grapefruit, and crunchy fennel. Frankie shows viewers how to segment the citrus like a pro and also shares a simple trick for making homemade croutons using bread heels. The salad is dressed with a simple vinaigrette made from pantry staples like olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey, and is finished with a sprinkling of fresh herbs.

Next up is a savory Spring Tartine, which combines creamy ricotta cheese with tender asparagus and crispy pancetta. Frankie shows viewers how to make a quick and easy homemade ricotta using just milk and lemon juice, which adds a luxurious touch to the tartine. He also shares tips for blanching asparagus to cook it perfectly and adds a pop of brightness with a garnish of lemon zest.

The final recipe is for a comforting and satisfying Spring Minestrone, which is loaded with tender vegetables and hearty beans. Frankie shows viewers how to make a flavorful broth from scratch using aromatics like onion, garlic, and bay leaves, and then adds in a mix of fresh and frozen veggies like peas, zucchini, and spinach. Cannellini beans and pasta add bulk to the soup, while Parmesan rind adds a depth of flavor that takes it to the next level.

Throughout the episode, Frankie emphasizes the importance of using what you have on hand and making the most of versatile ingredients like citrus, ricotta, and beans. He also shares tips for storing and using up leftover ingredients, like freezing citrus juice in ice cube trays and using Parmesan rind in soups and stews. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a newfound appreciation for spring produce and the confidence to cook delicious and budget-friendly meals at home.