Raw power: Mark Hix reveals how to enjoy spring vegetables in their natural form Why cook it? Eat it raw - springtime is a great time to experiment with healthy food which hasn't had any of the minerals and nutrients cooked out of it. You can knock up some great and interesting dishes without even turning the cooker on. Why not try creating a dinner party with your friends where you don't actually cook a single thing? I remember once cooking 10 courses of raw vegetarian food in a friend's house in LA for New Year's Eve and no one even noticed that there wasn't a meat course. As long as you make it visually exciting and tasty, your dinner guests will be happy. Pea salad