(BPT) - For food fanatics, spring is the perfect time of year to add fresh produce back into your recipes and meals.

Using seasonal ingredients can really help capture and enhance the flavors of spring and bring your cuisine to life. Whether you’re using first yields from your garden or visiting the farmers market as soon as it opens, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the season.

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, a recent winner on Food Network’s Iron Chef and a regular judge on Chopped, is a fan of using fresh nuts to enhance some of her favorite spring recipes. Here are her recommendations for taking your spring cuisine to a new level: