They say April is the cruelest month, but whoever said that hasn’t been to Calgary in February. Am I wrong? Yup, we’re looking forward to springing into something like, well, spring! But why stop there? Couldn’t you use a little spring party?

Seriously. Look around. Are happy faces staring back at you or are you looking at the faces of people clearly wearing their Christmas visa bills, months of darkness and the unending cold?  Couldn’t you use a mood lifter? We’re not talking about a blow out bash – just a game changer, a spring party that refreshes and pulls the team together. Let’s face it, no one works well when cabin fever has set in.

Round here, nothing says “spring party” like cheerful colours, flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, our bodies have different needs as seasons change from one to the next. Lucky for you, spring recipes include such tasty items as fresh strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus and lamb – to name but a few mouth watering delicacies. So let’s get our spring on!

A spring party can be a great way to bust out the winter blahs and get your team motivated and feeling ready for new beginnings. Spring is, after all, a season of growth, renewal, and new potential. Why not show off these qualities with your spring event? And why not incorporate early spring foods to get your gang enervated and enthused?

Here’s something worth noting: Not only does your food taste better if you buy it in the season it’s best suited for, it also holds a higher nutrient content. When food is at its peak, it’s tastier and more nourishing.

Your event doesn’t have to be elaborate. But it does need to be thoughtful and uplifting. It shouldn’t take a lot of work for you or anyone else on staff and its goal should be to come away feeling refreshed. How’s this for easy? Have a beautiful lunch catered featuring early spring staples including crunchy fresh carrots, cherry tomatoes and blueberries.

Not only are all these spring veggies and fruits low in fat and calories, they’re a good source of dietary fiber and provide you and your team with extra energy. We could all use that right about now. Their high fiber content also helps fill the stomach faster limiting the total amount of food consumed. Oh, and they boost energy production within the muscle cells. This gives us a natural feeling of vitality and the energy to become more active helping to burn more energy each day. And served as, let’s say a lunch, a meal like this a great way to energize and vitalize a group for the rest of the afternoon.

Need another reason for a spring party? Take 10 per cent off your spring party lunch or breakfast. Smiling yet?

Good. Then let’s bask in the love a little longer, shall we? Here is a very special spring lamb recipe from Chef Tony from our table to yours….

Dijon Crusted Crown Roast of Lamb

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 x 8oz rack of New Zealand Lamb cleaned and frenched
butchers twine
1/4 cup grain mustard
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
12 dried mission figs

Method

1) Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
2) Assure all fat and silver skin are removed from lamb.
3) Season with salt and pepper.
4) Using your hands, rub grain mustard all over meat of the lamb.
5) Roll lamb rack inwards and tie secure. There should be a hollow cavity in the center.
6) Insert 6 mission figs into center of each crown roast.
7) Insert fresh sprig of rosemary into top of crown roast and mission figs.
Roast lamb for approximately 20 minutes for medium rare

This French delicacy definitely beats Figgy Pudding when it comes to Christmas treats! Simple and delectable, these morsels will become a treasured part of your holiday tradition.

Fig And Foie Gras
5 dried figs
2 oz. balsamic glaze, crème, or vinegar
2 oz. foie gras, cut into 10 pieces
1 oz. homemade fruit jelly

- Cut figs in half and flatten gently.
– Top with balsamic, foie gras and jelly.
– Makes 10 bite-sized pieces.

It’s the first mall to have opened anywhere in Western Canada in the last 20 years, so of course it’s a big deal and OF COURSE Simply Elegant was a part of it!

Simply Elegant Mimosas and chocolate covered strawberries helped VIP’s celebrate what is a whole new consumer experience featuring six shopping “neighbourhoods,” including: Fashion, Ranch, Resources, Fossil, Sport and Entertainment.

Congratulations CrossIron Mills Mall! We’re glad you’re here!