Ideas for cooking in March

Okay, let's start thinking about what makes good eating in the lion of a month that is March. It's cold (most likely), windy (I'd imagine) and rainy (isn't it always?), so we're in the mood for something warming. BUT - we're also in the mood for a spark of spring to awaken our senses. Or, at least, I am.

Well, as I said last March (check this post out for some more ideas), we've got a few new seasonal items to choose from, like radishes, mint, parsley and purple sprouting broccoli. Add that to the stalwarts carrots and leeks and some yummy seafood like sardines and mussels, and we're good to go I think. Parsley, mint and lemon will provide us with the hints of spring we're so desperately craving.

Anyway, I'm not going to do that thing anymore where I give you a list of ingredients and some ideas for using them. Instead, I'm just going to tell you what I fancy cooking this month...

Grilled sardines with tabbouleh
Sardines are oh-so-easy to cook - grill them with a little bit of lemon juice and garlic. Meanwhile, tabbouleh is still my top dish of all time. (In fact, I'm making it tonight, with sea bass instead of sardines...)

Leeks vinaigrette with eggs
I told you all about how I made this lovely dish for Valentine's Day. What I didn't tell you is that I loved it so much I'm making it again! Worth a try (or two). See original version here.

Broccoli-cheese soup
I love the idea of cooking up this retro soup. If I'm feeling flush, I might use purple sprouting broccoli - but you can make it easily and cheaply with a couple heads of broccoli, some bouillion, a little garlic and a bit of cheddar. (You could also make it with fusilli pasta - something I'm considering about to prepare before long runs).

Cauliflower and cumin fritters
I haven't yet got around to raving about my newest cookbook, Ottolenghi. It makes me so happy to peruse this book. Most of you know that the brains behind the restaurant Ottolenghi write a column in the Guardian Weekend - but the book far surpasses the column. Cauliflower and cumin fritters are just one of the recipes I can't wait to try.

Ham with swede, leeks, carrot and celery with parsley sauce
For my birthday in January, my lovely friend Sarah gave me Valentine Warner's cookbook What to Eat Now, which is based on his BBC2 show. He's full of fantastic autumn/winter food ideas - one of which is this lovely and rustic idea. I can picture myself eating this on a chilly yet clear Sunday afternoon in March.

Stuffed cabbage
It sounds so dull but it seems so full of potential to me - stuff this brassica with mushrooms, maybe a little bacon, perhaps some walnuts, maybe some breadcrumbs, or some cheese if I'm in the mood. Wrap and steam - or saute then wrap. Either way it sounds a winner.

Pork, anchovy and black olive stew on polenta
Another Valentine Warner dish. I'm cooking this at the weekend and serving perhaps with a Chianti? I can't decide yet...

Spicy cauliflower soup
I have a love-hate relationship with cauliflower, but if anything's going to make it taste good, it would be those earthy spices like cumin and curry. Creamy without the cream, this soup feels ideal for an overcast, rainy day.

Puy lentils with sour cherries, bacon and gorgonzola
Other Ottolenghi brainchild. But doesn't it sound absolutely gorgeous? My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Baked bananas
I've been trying to figure out what to do with the umpteen bananas I have in my freezer, chucked there right before they go off so that I can convince myself I'm not wasting them. Valentine Warner suggests baking them with a little rum. Mmmmm....

Baked eggs with herbs and chopped mushrooms
One from The Pauper's Cookbook. This strikes me as an ideal Saturday brunch dish, to be cooked up in little ramekins.

So what do you think? What sounds good, what doesn't? What are YOU making this March? Do share...