Sprung...Sprang...what happened?

I thought for once we were going to have a lengthy Spring but Winter decided to return, or at least put in an appearance, and the temperatures plummeted last night. Every single magnolia blossom seems to have shriveled in the cold and they now droop and have brown sickly looking veins. I was terrified for my day lilies which started to pop up last week and are making quite the showing...and I can't believe I just wrote that...in March??? I usually don't spy a day lily until May. They're holding up and looking perky though so that's a relief, so are the Stella D'oro's and the peony shoots. Let's hope the cold snap doesn't hang around too long because we're not liking it

and are a bit nervous about the early growth. And on top of that I switched my clothes and gave myself a beautiful pedicure, only to hide it. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to eat Springy.

Seared Salmon Fillets
serves 2

Season Salmon fillets with Salt & pepper and brush with a mix of finely minced garlic and olive oil

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add Salmon fillets, non-skin side down and sear about 4-5 minutes. Flip over brushing with any left over oil and garlic mix and sear another 4 minutes.

serve with

Spring Risotto
Serves about 3

1 leek- washed and sliced across in 1/2 in rounds
1/2 cup minced onion

1 to 2 tbsp of butter
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups chicken broth, simmering
1 tsp salt
3/4 to 1 cup frozen peas
grated Parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add onions and cook until translucent-about 2 minutes.
Add leeks and cook stirring about 3 minutes (add more butter if it's too dry)
Add the rice and stir in for 1 to 2 minutes
add salt
Add the wine and stir until the liquid has evaporated

Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth stirring until evaporated. Continue adding the chicken broth in this manner until most of the the liquid has been incorporated and the rice is al dente. Add the peas and the last of the liquid

stir until all is incorporated. It should be a little sticky. Serve and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Put these flowers on the table

and don't step outside. At least not today.