The Official Opening of Spring

Baby artichokes and super sweet asparagus are here! w00t!

Last night I couldn't resist, and I made a batch of artichoke fried in olive oil with lemon slices. Served with a lovely dry muscat, a Thurnhoff, which was anything but.

Not a big artichoke fan, but that still looks pretty damn good.

We're just seeing the asparagus here now as well.

In spite of warmer weather this weekend, I think spring is still a little ways off at 7000 feet.

I like the cobalt dish, Stuart!

Not a big artichoke fan, but that still looks pretty damn good.

We're just seeing the asparagus here now as well.

Ok, knock it off with all of that talk. My asparagus is currently under several feet of snow and ice with 8 more inches of snow on the way tomorrow night. But margarita snow cones are in season.

So how about a quick post on what you did? this looks fabulous, especially in that cobalt dish! Great way to WOW your guests with that one.

I'm hoping that was a warm-up for this evening

Still no asparagus or artichokes (maybe a few, but..) in the Berkeley farmer's market..

Rahsaan, yes.

The prep is simple. Trim baby artichokes mercilessly, halve, and drop into water acidulated by lemon. Make a few thin lemon slices and set aside. Heat olive oil in a pan. Drain the artichokes, then add to the pan. Add lemon slices. Fry, turning occasionally, until you see some browning. Remove to a wire mesh strainer and let drain. Sprinkle with flaky salt while still hot.

That's it.

I thought fiddleheads were the official sign of spring.

-Paul W.

Looks yummy. We've been getting Mexican asparagus here for several weeks--one of my favorite veges.

Speaking of veges, I ate vegetable soup and homemade bread at my older cousin's house today, but her son brought club sandwiches for himself (no veges for him). I simply don't understand people who don't like vegetables.

I simply don't understand people who don't like vegetables.

Devils we call them..

I thought fiddleheads were the official sign of spring.

-Paul W.

Nah, you were thinking of dunderheads. Bunch of fiddleheads growing right in front of Panther Creek in McMinnville.

Dish looks good, Stuart. I love artichokes.

Mmmm, fiddleheads! Asparagus with an attitude. They haven't shown up yet here. Nor ramps, another spring fave. But I did a risotto with fresh peas last night, just for one more celebration that the dark, cold winter may be behind us.

just for one more celebration that the dark, cold winter may be behind us.

Here. Take this:

Wow, it looks pretty chilly in Buellton! Not enough gas being generated by Pea Soup Andersen's?

snicker.
Actually, that was taken this past Friday, on the other coast. As my return flight was scheduled for early Saturday morning, I was concerned that I would be snowbound. In light of all the scrubbed flights on Friday, I have to give DL credit for getting me out within 30 minutes of my estimated departure time.

I came home to quite a storm though, with lots of wind, and I was certain my LAX-SBA flight was going to plunge into the channel. Fortunately, we made it, even if the flight demonstrated what conditions might be like inside a blender.

Not sure if the wind is being generated by PSA's, or the Mexican place down the street.......