What’s In The Box? May 19-25

Big Egg, Little Egg
Eggs are one of the world’s finest gifts to the cook, delicious scrambled, poached, boiled or fried. Thus, this week’s delivery is devoted to the glorious egg, and two different varieties at that, with farm-fresh hen eggs from Bella Luna and petite and creamy quail eggs from Oak Meadows Farm. Also filled with an assortment of egg-friendly pairings—Grana-style cheese, plus Arborio rice and chicken stock fixings for risotto—plus a bevy of fresh spring produce that includes asparagus, English peas and juicy strawberries, this box will help you craft the perfect egg no matter what size you choose.

Here’s what you’ll find in your box this week:

Quail Eggs

Considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, the quail egg packs a beautifully rich flavor inside its speckled brown and tan shell. Wonderful poached, pickled and even fried sunny side up, these petite beauties from Oak Meadows Farm are particularly stunning atop a spring risotto or salad—see this week’s recipes for ideas.

Farm Fresh Chicken Eggs

Our small flock of heritage breed laying hens gives us fresh eggs in beautiful shades of brown and green. With the arrival of longer and warmer days, the “girls” are enjoying long afternoons in the sun, chasing bugs and eating tasty green weeds we pull from the garden.

Arborio Rice

This round-grain rice comes from the Po River Valley region of Italy and is named for the town of Arborio located in the heart of the region. When cooked in our rich, housemade chicken stock, it becomes creamy and starchy and is a great accompaniment to any flavor combination. See recipe suggestions for two different ways to serve it this week, either in a spring-fresh asparagus and pea risotto with mint, or topped with Morel mushrooms and roasted spring vegetables.

Housemade Chicken Stock

Made from roasted Bella Luna chickens, this flavorful stock is simmered slowly for hours with carrots, onions and celery and seasoned with fresh herbs and a dash of sea salt.

Fresh Pumpernickel Bread

This slightly-sweet rye loaf is baked just for us by a small bakery in nearby Snohomish.

Grana-Style Cheese

Made in our farmstead creamery, this hard Grana-style cheese is crafted from part-skim cow’s milk to allow for longer aging of 24 months or more. Ideal for grating over risotto, the drum-shaped cheese is turned and rubbed with olive oil during aging to create a smooth, golden rind.

Airfield Estates Chardonnay

Crafted from grapes grown on an estate set in a historic World War II airfield, this smooth, creamy wine boasts a well-balanced finished, each refreshing sip resonating with the zesty flavors of pear and lemon meringue.

Blueberry Jam

Made here at Bella Luna in our farmhouse kitchen from fresh-picked blueberries, organic cane sugar and pectin.

Fresh Strawberries

The first of the local strawberries, which are deliciously sweet and juicy!

Seasonal Organic Fruits & Vegetables

This week’s produce selection also includes Pak Choi Chinese cabbage, Hakurei turnips, Hedlin Farms cherry tomatoes, Lacinato kale, red radishes, English peas, Morel mushrooms, leeks and asparagus, plus fresh lemons.

Seasonal Organic Greens

Fresh Tom Thumb and baby red Romaine lettuces, and arugula

Fresh Garden Herbs

Enjoy a bounty of bright herbs this week: Rosemary, thyme, sage and mint, plus garlic and shallots.