Bucatini Pasta with Italian Sausage & Sautéed Fiddleheads
Everyone will be asking for seconds of this extremely satisfying dish.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh pasta of your choice, such as this week’s bucatini
1 sweet onion, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 cups fiddlehead ferns, washed and patted dry with a paper towel
1 bunch Lacinato kale, greens removed from tough rib ends and then roughly chopped
4 tablespoons freshly-chopped herbs, such as a combination of basil, parsley and oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus an additional tablespoon for finishing
Grana-style cheese, grated
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cook the pasta for 5-7 minutes in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, or just cooked through with a bit of bite left. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, slice the Italian sausage links into bite-sized rounds and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through and no longer pink on the inside. Remove the sausage to a plate and set aside.
3. Wipe any excess grease from the skillet with a paper towel, then drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, garlic and fiddleheads and sauté until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the chopped kale and continue to sauté, stirring until the kale is just wilted.
4. Add the pasta and sausage back into the skillet and toss to combine with the fiddlehead-kale mixture; seasoning with salt and pepper. Add in the herbs and toss once more; if the pasta seems a little dry, moisten with the reserved pasta water. Finish by sprinkling each serving with grated Grana-style cheese and an additional swirl of olive oil.
Baked Eggs with Crème Fraîche & Fresh Herbs
These oeufs en cocotte boast a wonderful balance between the rich crème fraîche and the bright parsley and chives.
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
1 cup Farm & Larder crème fraîche
Pinch nutmeg
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Season the crème fraîche with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
3. Place a heaped tablespoon of crème fraîche in the bottom of a small individual ramekin or custard cup*, followed by a sprinkling of parsley and chives. Crack an egg on top, add a second tablespoon of crème fraîche and sprinkle with an additional pinch each of salt, pepper and nutmeg. Repeat with remaining ramekins.
4. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set to your liking. Finish each serving with additional chopped herbs.
*This dish can also be made in a large baking dish, or even in a few smaller baking dishes. Spread a thin layer of cheese and herbs on bottom, carefully crack eggs and space out evenly, then dollop additional cheese and add water as directed above.
Bacon, Onion & Herb Quiche
Light and bright, with a touch of smokiness courtesy of the bacon, this quiche is bound to be a sure-fire hit.
Ingredients:
1 pie crust, either homemade or store-bought
6 thick slices bacon, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
6 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Sliced green onions, for topping
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. If you’re using a refrigerated pie crust (store-bought or homemade), add it to your pie plate and keep cold in the fridge until ready to use. If you’re using a frozen pie crust, keep frozen until ready to bake.
2. In a 12-inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan and leave all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet. Add in the onions and sauté in the bacon fat until translucent and lightly browned. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
4. Take out your pie crust and scatter the bacon and onions evenly along the bottom of the pie crust. Gently pour the egg mixture over top of the onions and bacon. Sprinkle the mozzarella and goat cheese into the quiche.
5. Place your quiche onto a baking sheet (this just helps in case of spills) and place it into the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes. (The quiche is done when the middle seems set and the crust edges are browned.) Let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Smoked Ham Hocks with Braised Collard Greens & Beans
This recipe yields a flavorful and comforting dish that combines the smoky richness of ham hocks with the earthy flavors of collard greens and beans.
Ingredients:
2 smoked ham hocks
1 pound dried beans, soaked overnight and drained
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
1 bunch collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Hot sauce (optional, for serving)
Method:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the soaked and drained beans, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper, and chicken or vegetable broth.
2. Add the smoked ham hocks to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until the beans are tender and the ham hocks are falling off the bone.
3. Remove the ham hocks from the pot and let them cool slightly. Once cooled, remove the meat from the bones and chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones and any excess fat.
4. Return the chopped ham hock meat to the pot. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Add the chopped collard greens to the pot and stir well to combine. Simmer uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the collard greens are tender and cooked to your liking.
5. Stir in the apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors of the dish. Serve the smoked ham hocks, collard greens, and beans hot, garnished with a dash of hot sauce if desired.
