3 Sunny Recipes to Brighten Up the Dinner Table

This week we intentionally welcome bright colors to our weeknight dinners. We have Instant Pot pulled pork, coconut-poached cod, and more!

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Updated May 16, 2025
Rachel Knecht
Four tacos filled with shredded pork, lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and onions on a plate
Coco Morante

I love flowers and there are yellow roses from the grocery store adorning our table today. I smile every time I look over and see the vivid flowers standing tall. While we (im)patiently wait for warmer weather, I think we should brighten up our dinner table with bright-colored dishes that have punchy and dazzling flavors. 

We eat with our eyes first, and this week I want my plate filled with an array of colors!

Ginger, lime, and chilis excite the taste buds in coconut poached cod with ginger and lime. Turn Instant Pot Mexican pulled pork into a mid-week taco bar with lots of bright toppings like radishes, red onion, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, and salsa. For dessert, bake these sunny and bright sandwich cookies—Lemon Macarons—I can't get enough of them.

  • Coconut Poached Cod with Ginger and Lime

    Overhead view of two bowls of Coconut poached cod with ginger and lime served with lime and rice.

    Infuse coconut milk with ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, and brown sugar for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Poach the cod filets in the coconut milk and add bright green bok choy for crunch. Serve it with quick pickled chilis, lime wedges, and cilantro for a dreamy dairy-free dinner.

  • Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork

    IP pork tacos
    Coco Morante

    Make a big batch of Mexican pulled pork for an easy mid-week taco bar! Set out spanish rice, flour tortillas, cotija cheese, shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, chopped avocado, salsa, and sour cream for a dish bursting with flavors and colors.

  • Lemon Macarons

    Lemon buttercream macarons set on top of each other on a plate.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    French macarons are a meringue-based and gluten-free sandwich cookie worth the effort. After assembly, the cookies need to mature for 12 hours so make sure to give yourself enough time. I know it'll be hard to wait, but it's totally worth it.

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