Every morning, we send you a free email packed with Austin news, business, and entertainment. Join 20,000+ readers who wake up to Austonia's newsletter.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed
With the arrival of springtime means it time to whip up fresh seasonal dishes. Think vegetables, color and freshness this month as sunny weather will be here to stay soon, and you need the perfect flavors to compliment the weather.
Here are nine recipes worth making during springtime in Austin.
Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa
Although the beloved Austin dish is enjoyed year round, modifying your toppings as the seasons change is the best way to eat tacos this springtime. These grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa are super easy to make and have a wonderfully bright tropical taste that will leave you wanting more. This recipe is simple enough for any cooking level and will only take up 20 minutes of your time, leaving everyone in your house with a meal for any time of day.
You can find the recipe for grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa here.
Brown butter gnocchi with asparagus and peas
Craving a meal with more of a warm substance? Brown butter gnocchi with asparagus and peas is a comforting and flavorful dish to enjoy for dinner, yet refreshing enough to enjoy during a warm day out. Pop out your cast iron skillet on any weeknight to make this fun and easy-to-make weeknight recipe. Pair this dish with white wine to enjoy the full spring effect.
You can find the recipe for brown butter gnocchi with asparagus and peas here.
Vietnamese spring rolls
Springtime in Austin calls for refreshing appetizers, such as Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, to help pass the warm days. This recipe is simple enough for anyone to make and will only take up 30 minutes of your time. With shrimp, pork, lettuce and herbs, this small dish is perfect for anyone looking to impress their guests with a refreshing springtime bite. Serve your spring rolls with peanut sauce or a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce called nuoc cham which contains fish sauce, lime juice and sugar.
You can find the recipe for Vietnamese spring rolls here.
Spring vegetable quiche
Looking to host some friends and enjoy a springtime brunch? This spring vegetable quiche has everything you need to impress your guests. An easy and fast recipe to make, you can prep your ingredients and bake the quiche in under an hour. Not sold yet? This recipe is versatile where can add your favorite seasonal vegetables for a filling and delicious brunch option.
You can find the recipe for spring vegetable quiche here.
Lemony spring pasta salad
Something about springtime makes lemons and salads more appealing. Maybe it's the preparation for the hot summer days Texas will endure, but this lemony spring pasta salad, filled with feta cheese, arugula, pine nuts, fresh basil, rotini pasta and lemon vinaigrette is the perfect mixture of filling and vibrantly refreshing. You can make this pasta salad in under 30 minutes and it is a guarantee that it will be loved and eaten up on a springtime afternoon.
You can find the recipe for lemony spring pasta salad here.
Pan-fried cod with orange and swish chard
Adding some seafood to your springtime diet is the best way to avoid all responsibilities and pretend you are on a nice beach enjoying the warm weather. This pan-fried cod with orange and swish chard recipe has all the ingredients for spring: a source of protein, sweet vegetables and acidic fruits. You can make this recipe in 30 minutes to be enjoyed as a late afternoon weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch dish.
You can find the recipe for pan-fried cod with orange and swish chard here.
Taco stuffed peppers
Looking for a healthy colorful meal to feed your household? These taco stuffed peppers are the real deal. With vibrant colors, a delightfully familiar taste and healthy ingredients, this is your next meal to try. Filled with ground beef, tomatoes, onion, black beans, corn, brown rice and cheese, you'll opt out of ordering Chipotle for a long time. This recipe will take up an hour of your time and will improve your night no matter the day.
You can find the recipe for taco stuffed peppers here.
Vibrant spring broccoli Buddha bowl
This is the recipe to try if you're looking for a healthy springtime dish that will give you the energy you need while enjoying the warm weather. This vibrant bowl is filled with hearty ingredients such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, purple cabbage, lemons, avocado and lentils. With 50 minutes to spare, you can enjoy this healthy bowl jammed with proteins, healthy fats and delicious flavors.
You can find the recipe for vibrant spring broccoli Buddha bowls here.
Cucumber gazpacho
Although you might be hesitant to make a cold soup, this cucumber gazpacho is so creamy, vibrantly refreshing and hydrating you will keep refilling your bowl as warmer days hit Austin. In 20 minutes, you can have yourself this flavorful dish to serve as an appetizer, or a whole dish by adding your favorite protein such as shrimp. This simple and almost ordinary dish is inviting with its vibrant color and will impress all your guests with its flavor.
You can find the recipe for cucumber gazpacho here.
Popular
(Barkin' Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath)
The break-ins started in late June and have continued every few days at different locations around the city, according to the Austin Police Department and Austin/CentralTexasGroomers Facebook group.
Victims have started sharing their security videos via Facebook, with a nearly identical story each time: A gloved man uses a rock to break through a glass door or window in the early morning hours, takes the cash drawer and splits.
Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath co-owner and CEO Jeff Springer has had two of his four locations hit. Springer said he’s not only out a few thousand in stolen cash but also keys and checks from inside the drawers, plus several thousand dollars in repairs.
“There's a sense of anger and helplessness combined—anger because you've been victimized and helplessness because there's nothing that you can do that could have stopped this,” Springer told Austonia.
The stores that were hit:
- June 27: Mod Mutt Salon
- July 2: Rainbow Paws Pet Salon
- July 4: As the Fur Flies
- July 11: Sniff Grooming Studio
- July 23: Hair O’ the Dog Pet Salon
- July 26: Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath Zilker location
- July 29: Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath South Lamar location
Springer said his first burglary occurred around 2 a.m. at the Zilker location—the perpetrator smashed through the door, ripped out the cash drawer, unlocked the unbroken door and calmly walked out. The scene was found by an employee a few hours later.
Springer said they spent the morning rescheduling grooming appointments and cleaning up the glass. Barkin’ Creek’s South Lamar location was hit three days later in the exact same way, by who he believes to be the same person Springer said, and the robbery was discovered around 6 a.m.
“He left the computers—he left some very expensive items that are on our sales floor right there,” Springer said. “I think he wanted to expedite the theft and get in and out as quickly as possible.”
While Springer has reached out to police, he said he’s been repeatedly told they are understaffed and are trying to prioritize reports as they come in. He had to fill out the police reports online, as opposed to having an officer dispatched to him, due to staffing issues.
After reaching out to District Five Council Member Ann Kitchen, he was able to get in touch with a district sergeant who helped him upload evidence on Friday.
“That was frustrating because you expect the police to show up when you're burglarized,” Springer said. “I wanted to make sure that the police were aware that we had a serial burglar on the loose who is targeting dog stores. This is low-hanging fruit given all the evidence that all these stores have collectively together on the guy.”
A report from KXAN said several other store owners have complained about little to no police response—Nancy Rich with As the Fur Flies said police haven’t come to take fingerprints on objects the perpetrator touched or evidence.
Springer said in the meantime, they have updated lighting in their parking lots, are converting to a cashless system and looking into stronger glass, but he fears that after the repairs are done, the robber will strike again.
“(Upgrading) the glass is another heavy cost,” Springer said. “We're a small, family-owned business. We don't have a lot of money to pay somebody to be a full time security guard at each one of our stores. It's just not feasible.”
(ZIKI)
ZIKI
ZIKI is short for "Tzatziki," Greek cuisine's most iconic flavor
ZIKI is a fast-casual restaurant serving Greek & Mexican fusion. Signature bowls, zurritos, salads, sides, drinks, and desserts. The brand's hot pink color illuminates from a distance and is impossible to miss. Food is prepared fresh daily. Veggies, dairy, and meats are sourced locally.
The Zurrito, Greek Fries, Falafel Bowl, Gyro Bowl, Pork Bowl, Quezzadilla
ZIKI
Head of Quality Control, Chef Mo, outlines the system and philosophy: “Proper food sourcing, agricultural partnerships, and quality control systems are imperative to our kitchen operations. The food must always look good, and make people feel good as well.
Nanakos says that it’s as much about the heart as it is the head. “Food is a passion business. Embracing our chefs by creating the best possible environment for them determines the outcome of the food. Our chefs are the backbone to our business. When they are happy, they thrive.”
Get ready, Austin—you're about to turn pink
ZIKI
With the boost from Gigafund, ZIKI's goal is to quickly have the largest restaurant presence in all of Austin, before expanding to other cities.
"Austin's love of food, culture, and tech are what add to its vibrancy," says ZIKI’s Head of Marketing, Kat Vasylyshyn. "We're painting the city pink."
ZIKI is a member of the largest commercial kitchen in Texas. This serves as their central point of logistics for local restaurant operations. Food inventory arrives here from suppliers. It's prepared on-site, ensuring the highest quality, with an added level of safety and control.
A fleet of Sprinter vans brings the food to modular kitchens for final prep.
ZIKI's systems identify areas with the highest order volume densities and target those areas for placement of new kitchens.
Getting big fast: Why ZIKI is the Tesla of restaurants
ZIKI
CEO Nick Nanakos is not afraid to state his bold plan: "Our vision is to become the fastest-growing restaurant company on the planet, with unstoppable unit economics."
That doesn't just happen on its own. ZIKI's Chief of Staff, Anthony D'Apolito III, says the Gigafund backing is the green light for a fast start: "We've spent an enormous amount of time building systems prior to our funding, which has positioned us well for scale, and that's showing now in how quickly we're moving."
ZIKI believes that a restaurant should control its own expansion destiny. This is why they're vertically-integrated, manufacturing modular restaurants in the company's Texas factory.
Cutting-edge developments in manufacturing, technology, real estate, and hiring complete the picture.
ZIKI is a company led by a driven, visionary founder that's ready to conquer the world, starting by making you happy with their Greek/Mexican fusion fare, right here in Austin.
You can keep up with ZIKI on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and their website.
