It’s officially spring, and the birds are back!

Living in Wisconsin, our seasonal weather patterns send our birds and other wildlife packing come autumn. By December, they’ve all flown south and left us with a snowy and eerily quiet winterscape. My very favorite part of the transition into spring is that first morning I awake to the sound of chickadees chirping outside my window and robins singing songs to each other in the soft shadows of dawn. I spring out of bed like Cinderella, eager to begin my day!

The return of the birds reminds me that there really is life on this planet, even when the dreary March skies and still bare tree branches declare otherwise.

These days my thoughts are turning to asparagus, strawberries, fresh herbs, dandelion greens, watercress, and buttery new potatoes. I can’t wait until they spill out of shopping bags all over my kitchen counter. I still must bide my time before these foods return to my farmers’ market fresh from local farms, but I’ll be patient. The wait is well worth it. Biting into that first sun-kissed strawberry or tender stalk of asparagus? There’s nothing like it.

Until then, I’ll enjoy the songs of my feathered friends and make these pasta nests. Using nothing more than noodles, these nests create a festive bed for your favorite sauce. Topped with chicken and vegetables, you have yourself a “bird in a nest” sort of dish. How cute is that? Or top it with steamed broccoli and a poached egg for another seasonal twist.

Making the nests is ridiculously easy. All you’ll need are some brown rice noodles (I like Tinkyada brand) and a large serving fork. Swirl it up and you’ve got a super-cute base for any sauce you like. Try some of these tasty ideas:

• Salmon Puttanesca Sauce from Ali at The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen
• Five Minute Tomato Sauce from Heidi at 101 Cookbooks
• Roasted Eggplant Tapenade Pasta Sauce from Karina at Gluten Free Goddess
• Spaghetti with Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes from Bea at La Tartine Gourmande

How to Make Pasta Nests

What you’ll need:

Brown rice spaghetti (or linguine or fettucine), cooked according to package directions

A large serving fork

 

How to make ‘em:

Plunge the serving fork into the mass of cooked noodles to gather a large tangle of noodles around the fork. Turn the fork to the side (holding it parallel to the countertop or floor) and start twisting it. Twist and twist to wrap the noodles around and around the fork until you have a nest-like tangle. Gently scoot the tangle off of the fork and onto a serving plate using your fingers.

Top with any sauce you like. Enjoy!