Fresh Tart

Is it...Spring? Dare I say the word? Oh, it's still colder than a witches you-know-what out there, brrr. But the snow-rain mix has ceased, the sun has peeked out, and the forecast is for sunshine! Sweet, warm, sunshine, well into the week. I think we may have had our last snowstorm. I think I may have pushed my last soup post (not that I won't be making soup, but you know, not all weekend). May you feel the warmth of sunshine on your shoulders, and may it make you happy. (I'll stop with the corniness there, don't worry. Lalalaaa!)

So, let's see, what to make on a Promises-to-be-Spring Sunday? Hmmm... Spring = lamb in my mind, but that won't work for tonight (and anyhow, I'm saving my lamb card to play at an upcoming dinner party). But I have to admit, some chops, rubbed with minced garlic, olive oil, and salt, grilled to crusty perfection... Yeah, that sounds pretty incredible.

Oh! I just had a lovely idea. There's a gorgeous Spring menu in Alice Waters'Chez Panisse Menu Cookbook, simple and elegant. (I've never had the pleasure of eating at the restaurant - someday! - however, enjoy this blogger's terrific post about dining a la Alice; photo of the restaurant is from the post.) I'm including the three savory dishes from the Spring menu; any one of them would be lovely for dinner (and of course, altogether, they would be stunning). Her intro:

Wild Mushrooms on Croutons
Thin Pasta with Spring Vegetables
Charcoal-Grilled Salmon with Grilled Red Onions

When I think of spring, I immediately think of salmon - those first young delicate-fleshed fish that seduce everyone in the dining room. This menu is meant to directly complement the salmon; little croutons with the last of the fresh morels; the first peas and asparagus with very delicate thin pasta...

Suggested wines: This menu calls for new, young wines - perhaps a fresh Bourgogne Aligote and a Beaujolais with the grilled salmon.

Sheesh, just reading the recipes feels like a warm, fragrant breeze. So nice. (Recipes posted in comments, below.)

Fresh air! Fresh vegetables! Fresh fruit! No combo makes me feel better, and I scored plenty of all three today, so I pronounce it a good day indeed: Lovely walk. Tasty pan of chicken hash (diced chicken, tomatoes, potatoes, green pepper, onion, and mushrooms) alongside an over-easy egg. And the most delicious Texas red grapefruit, tart-sweet and juicy-juicy. Hey, I realize it's not quite as sublime as a lunch of ripe garden tomatoes followed by a long walk and a swim...but for the end of February, it's not so bad. The days are noticeably longer, the sun's packing a bit of a punch - spring she is a'coming, my friends, slowly but surely.

And I am glad.

In the mood for something a bit spring-y, I made roasted asparagus and sauteed lamb chops for dinner (nothing fancy - just seasoned with a little coarse salt and dried thyme before I tossed them into a smoking hot skillet). Oooh, all I needed were morels to make the perfect spring dinner, mmm... And perfectly ripe strawberries with creme fraiche for dessert... Oh, my, I'm getting a little ahead of myself, slow down, Stephanie, slow down. OK. Just asparagus and lamb chops, and they were mighty fine. (Sigh...)

Oh, speaking of lamb...if you're looking for a fabulous recipe for any of the upcoming spring holidays, here you go - Carol Mack's Grilled Leg of Lamb. Garlicky with a browned, crispy exterior, it's easy and absolutely delicious. (Recipe posted in comments, below.) Nothing beats a perfect leg of lamb for a dinner party. With rich (do ahead!) mashed potatoes and a simple vegetable like sauteed pea pods with mint, you really can't miss. Lemon buttermilk tart for dessert? Oooh, yum!

Hallelujah, feeling the sun and warm(er) breezes today RAWKED (just ask George; I know I've used this pic before, it just cracks me up so much I had to use it again)! It actually smelled like spring during my morning walk - put such a grin on my face that the Byerly's cashier commented on it! (Does that mean I'm usually a crankypants in comparison? I don't think so, but hmmm...) I try not to be so affected by the weather, but hey, turns out, that's just how I roll. (See giddy LA posting below.)

No matter the weather, I'm so looking forward to a kickass dinner tomorrow night... Fugaise, baby, with John's assistant Kris and her boyfriend Harry. What winter-into-spring tasties will Chef Don Saunders be offering (on his refreshingly straightforward menu)? Stay tuned for the sure-to-be fabulous details...