Favourite Seasonal Dish?

As we move from winter toward spring, hearty cool weather dishes still seem to be in order, at least for those of us in northern climes.

We are making one of our faves this weekend, oxtail stew. Absolutely great with a nice Rhone (or a range of others running from Syrah through Cabernet). That, and hearty soups occupy our thoughs until we are truly into spring.

Anyone else have a favourite dish or dishes for this season?

It's spring. Fried baby artichokes, grilled asparagus, fresh pea risotto... California does not suck.

Cassoulet, babee! There's still snow on the ground here, so that's plenty of justification. My confit is ripening and the saucisse de Toulouse are under production. The major problem is scheduling, but the end of this month looks likely. In the meantime, it's off to the FL Keys to put this season behind us at least temporarily!

Mark Lipton

My favorite dish is whatever I am making on the weekend after going to the Farmer's Market, which opens here the first week in April. In the summer, I lust after fresh garden tomatoes, garlic, kalamata olives and rustic bread chunks, seasoned with marjoram and basil from my garden, salt, pepper and vinaigrette.

Right now I am thinking about a leg of lamb, roasted with lots of garlic and rosemary, and roasted potatoes cooking in the meat, lemon and rosemary juices.

Tie: Paella or steamed Lobster in the summer.

Tie: Paella or steamed Lobster in the summer.

Hi, Joe, so nice to see you posting again.

Tie: Paella or steamed Lobster in the summer.

I was at the Fish Markets yesterday, Joe.

Tie: Paella or steamed Lobster in the summer.

Hi, Joe, so nice to see you posting again.

Did I stop?

Tie: Paella or steamed Lobster in the summer.

I was at the Fish Markets yesterday, Joe.

Nice! Eat a few mud bugs for me!

As we move from winter toward spring, hearty cool weather dishes still seem to be in order, at least for those of us in northern climes.

We are making one of our faves this weekend, oxtail stew. Absolutely great with a nice Rhone (or a range of others running from Syrah through Cabernet). That, and hearty soups occupy our thoughs until we are truly into spring.

Anyone else have a favourite dish or dishes for this season?

That sounds great, Bill!

Favorite seasonal dishes?

Tonight my girlfriend and I are hosting a "farewell" celebration for a couple that is moving out of state. I want to keep it somewhat seasonal so I am making a Bianchetti truffle(the real ones) risotto, with herb encrusted scallops and Washington clams.

As we move from winter toward spring, hearty cool weather dishes still seem to be in order, at least for those of us in northern climes.

We are making one of our faves this weekend, oxtail stew. Absolutely great with a nice Rhone (or a range of others running from Syrah through Cabernet). That, and hearty soups occupy our thoughs until we are truly into spring.

Anyone else have a favourite dish or dishes for this season?

Oh my! Oxtail stew - I haven't had that in soooo long. Now I'm gonna have to out drag an ox home. Or maybe just go to the store and buy the tail.

Now I'm gonna have to out drag an ox home. Or maybe just go to the store and buy the tail.

Real Men drag the ox home, Doug. Sheesh!

In early Spring, I'm usually so happy just to finally have vegetables that are bright, I go with steaming and citrus toppings.. No real "dishes"..

Now I'm gonna have to out drag an ox home. Or maybe just go to the store and buy the tail.

Real Men drag the ox home, Doug. Sheesh!

Yeah, but the HOA gets real upset when I hang it in the backyard to skin it.

Had the oxtails last night (and tonight, and tomorrow, if we don't freeze it - BTW, it likes to be frozen and thawed). I have turned into a finicky sort - strip the bones in the kitchen and end up with a plate of thick meat stew. SWMBO does it the traditional way, with a bone bowl to dissect the oxtail at the table, with a brief hose down outside when necessary.

And boy does this stuff go well with big reds - my preference is Rhone, but California or Oz work well.

Picture me reclined in front of fire, feet up, hands on belly, happily moaning gently to myself. Yum.