The Smallest Things

Today we had more snow - this week we have had as much snow as we have had all winter. Good for the garden this spring and summer.

Tomorrow I am having an old friend for dinner - it gives me the opportunity to COOK - one of the thing I miss most since Tom died is feeding people good food. How he loved to eat my cooking.

Since it is snowing and wintery, the thing I chose is braised lamb shanks - funny, since I have not eaten red meat in so long - but it just seemed like the perfect comfort food. Chewy, glutinous lamb in a slow simmered sauce composed of browned veggies, red wine, tomato paste, good stock and fresh herbs. I'll serve it with roasted garlic smashed potatoes - a steamed green vegetable (broccoli?) and a frisee salad with sherry vinagerette dressing (tossed with a handful of organic sliced radish) Oh yes, and some good crusty whole grain bread to dip in the succulent lamb sauce. - for dessert, a scoop of Stonyfield Organic Dark Chocolate Frozen Yogurt.

I worked in my home office today - so I cooked the shanks - good smells filled the house. Lamb shanks, one of Tom's favorite winter dishes - wish he were here - in body - to eat these beauties. The smallest things bring sudden longing - sudden tears.