Spring preview

All the fab produce, plus our roundup of recent stories and recipes.

Happy Friday, forward-looking cook!

When we moved to Dallas 15 years ago (sheesh — I’ve now lived there as long as I lived in New York!) someone told me, “If you don’t like the weather here, don’t worry, it’ll change in 15 minutes.”

This time of year, we might be in a deep freeze. A couple days ago it was in the 80s; we slept with our bedroom window wide open. In the wee hours, a cold wind blew in — dropping us down into the 40s.

The trees are as confused as we are; all of a sudden, we have full blossom. In February, WTF?! Quick — get me some asparagus and strawberries!

It’s too early, of course, but I couldn’t resist: Friends came over, and on the table landed asparagus vinaigrette with pink peppercorns, then leg of lamb with heirloom flageolets (those beautiful, small greenish-white beans). For dessert, an almond cake topped with macerated strawberries. The asparagus were from Chile (shame on me; I couldn’t help it), but the strawberries were from California. Yes, already! I’m working…