Ooh, I found ramps (wild leeks) at Whole Foods today, yummy. I found (more) morels and fava beans as well. Springy springy! And naughty naughty, because it threw off my whole dinner plan. Or, I should say it doubled my dinner plan - the original plan is still in place, but just for Nathan and John (a quickie din - Whole Foods sushi, sesame broccoli salad, cabbage-almond salad, and Ling-Ling organic chicken & vegetable potstickers, which in a pinch are awfully tasty and not full of a bunch of chemicals). And for me? I got so excited about the ramps I decided to cook them (bulbs and greens, very simply, just in a little butter) with the morels and favas, and a dab of creme fraiche, and call it my own dinner (I would have shared if pressed, but neither J nor N would be one bit interested, whew). I can have take-out sushi any dumb day, but ramps and morels and fava beans? Together? Spring on a plate, baby, now that's a real treat.

Moderate it: a little butter and creme fraiche go a long way - small amounts = big flavor. Enjoy!

Fava beans. Love them. Hardly ever see them in stores 'round these parts, but scored some today at Lakewinds Natural Foods (lovely, lovely store) in Chanhassen. They're a major pain to deal with (shell, blanch, peel, then cook), but so worth it in the end - bright green, tender, nutty, sweet. Just...yum. Check out this great NPR story on the bitter-sweet beauty of favas, along with a gorgeous menu and recipes... Love to know that not only are they delicious, they're fabulously nutritious.

I should clarify that I haven't actually cooked them yet - it'll have to be later this weekend. Tonight, we just had pan-fried tilapia alongside tomatoes and okra sauteed with bacon, my new favorite vegetable dish (as I keep saying, sorry). Can't. Get. Enough. Although a pan full of sauteed heavenly morels and favas could put me over the top (morels and freshly-shelled peas were the kill, but morels and favas, oh my...).

Stay dry! Stay warm! (Yep, it's cold and wet again. Will probably even snow. Again. Yep. Grrrr...)