The month of March represents the presence of spring and most of us are longing for its arrival. As we await the disappearance of snow and frigid temperatures, there are plenty of things to celebrate in the month of March that can help us get through the 'defrost' period.Take a virtual trip to Lima, Peru without leaving Houston. Eater Houston's Chef of the Year 2011, Roberto Castre, is offering a six-course tasting menu which includes his ceviche mercado, a passionfruit tiradito, duck confit over cilantro rice, veal osso bucco on puree of purple potatoes, braised slow cooker lamb casserole and dumplings accompanied by Peruvian style risotto, and a delectable chocolate hazelnut custard with white chocolate and pisco.Sensational winter table wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. Delightfully aromatic, with a rich, earthy flavor, Barolo makes a fantastic addition on a cold, winter's day. Rich and concentrated. Perfect with stew. Stands up and stands tall to intensely flavored dishes. A perfect red to take the chill slow cooked lamb casserole off your winter. Find out why Barolo is called Italy's "King of Wines" on your next, cold, winter's day.If you want a beautiful dinner, beautiful ambience, and an all-around grand time, look no further than the so-gorgeous-it's-made-for-New-Year's-Eve Triniti. Let Chef Ryan Hildebrand and his team of chefs regale you with a five or eight-course meal with or without drinks. Come midnight, prepare for a champagne toast, and continue the merriment into the wee hours with reverse happy hour from 11pm-1am.Caramelize onions and brown meat beforehand. Many recipes call for you to put all of the ingredients into the crock pot raw - and that's perfectly fine to do. In fact, that's going to be the most efficient way to go, if you are using your slow cooker as the ultimate time saving device that it is. But you can dramatically enhance the flavor of your final dish by browning your meat or chicken and sauteing your onions before you add them to the pot. This step also reduces some of the fat content of your recipe.Just as with ground beef, you can double up on beef recipes. Double up on browning the onions and the cubes of beef and you have either two freezer meals, or two completely different dishes. You can make an easy Beef lamb stew and the next night you can pop some puff pastry on the same easy beef recipe and you will produce an impressive Beef Pie Recipe!Here is a five-minute recipes for your slow cooker. Put in a roast with a few ingredients after breakfast. When you come home at dinner time, the wonderful aroma of a savory meal will greet you.Allow the stew to simmer for another 30 minutes, until the carrots lamb stew red wine potatoes are fork tender. Check the seasoning. Remove the bay leaves. Serve in large bowls with slices of fresh cornbread or hot French bread. Makes about 6 servings.