Cornmeal, Parmesan & Thyme Crackers
Crisp and crunchy, these crackers from PCC’s Cooking from Scratch cookbook are delightful served with a schmear of cream cheese on top.
Ingredients:
1 cup medium-grind cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
¾ cup warm water
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
Fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, divided
Method:
1. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine the cornmeal, flour, water, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and pepper. Blend until the mixture forms a ball. Remove the ball from the processor and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Let rest for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 4 portions, covering the pieces you are not working with in plastic wrap.
3. Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out one piece of dough to ⅛-inch thick. Sprinkle the surface with ¼ of the thyme and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Gently roll the dough to embed the toppings. Cut the crackers into your desired shape and size. (A chef’s knife, pizza cutter or cookie cutters all work well here!) Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.
4. Put the crackers fairly close together, but not touching, on the sheet. Bake until edges turn golden and crisp, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely; store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
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Smashed Sunchokes with Thyme Butter
Enriched with butter and thyme and the perfect side dish for any spring meal.
Enriched with butter and thyme and the perfect side dish for any winter spread.
Ingredients:
1 pound sunchokes, rinsed and trimmed of any dark spots
6-8 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil for frying
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Large pinch freshly picked thyme leaves
Flaky salt, such as Maldon, for serving
Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, cover the sunchokes with cold water. Season generously with salt (the water should taste nicely salted, as if you were seasoning soup). Set over high heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until a paring knife inserted into a sunchoke meets little resistance, about 10 minutes; be careful not to overcook.
2. Drain sunchokes using a fine-mesh strainer or colander. When cool enough to handle, place sunchokes on a work surface or cutting board. Working 1 sunchoke at a time, use the bottom of a heavy skillet to press firmly on each sunchoke until it is flattened but still in one piece; take care not to press so hard that the sunchokes break apart.
3. In a large cast iron or other heavy bottomed skillet, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add sunchokes in a single layer and cook without moving until well browned, about 3 minutes. Add more oil, if needed. Flip sunchokes, then add butter to the pan and allow to melt. Add half of the thyme to the melted butter and continue to cook, spooning butter over sunchokes, until browned on the second side, about 3 minutes longer.
4. Transfer sunchokes to a serving plate and spoon the thyme butter on top. Garnish with remaining freshly picked thyme leaves and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve immediately.
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Parmesan-Crusted Winter Squash
This versatile recipe works with any number of squash—Butternut, Tetsukabuto, Acorn, Delicata or any other variety you like.
Ingredients:
1 large squash, or 2-3 smaller squash, peeled and cut into ¼-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup panko-style bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the squash with olive oil and kosher salt to taste. Place the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, nutmeg, pepper, salt, garlic and thyme in a bowl. Stir to mix well. Sprinkle this all over the squash and roast until tender, about 40 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
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Radicchio Gratin with Cream & Parmesan
A comforting twist on this often-overlooked winter green, this gratin transforms radicchio’s natural bitterness into a tender, savory-sweet bake.Â
Ingredients:
2 medium heads radicchio (Treviso or Verona varieties work best here), quartered lengthwise
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, minced
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth
½ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup breadcrumbs (preferably fresh)
1 Tbsp olive oil
Optional: a few thyme sprigs or a pinch of nutmeg for garnish
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Lightly butter a small baking dish.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Arrange the radicchio quarters in the skillet, cut side down, and cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly seared. Flip and cook another 2 minutes, allowing the edges to soften and color slightly.
3. Pour in the cream and broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring just to a simmer. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure the radicchio is coated in sauce.
4. In a small bowl, mix the Parmesan and breadcrumbs with the olive oil until evenly moistened, then sprinkle over the top.
5. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling and the radicchio is tender when pierced with a knife. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme or a light dusting of nutmeg, if desired.
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Honey-Roasted Pear Salad with Thyme-Apple Verjus Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunner!
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs
4 ripe but firm Bosc pears (about 2 ½ pounds), halved, cored
¼ cup honey
6 cups mixed spring greens, such as this week’s Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, Claytonia and salad mix
6 ounces blue cheese, sliced or coarsely crumbled
½ cup hazelnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
Dressing:
â…“ cup apple verjus
â…“ cup olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Method:
1. To prepare the dressing, whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Scatter thyme sprigs on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the pear halves cut side down on a work surface. Starting ½ -inch from stem and leaving the pear half intact, cut each lengthwise into scant ⅓- to 1/2 -inch-wide slices. Press pear gently to fan slices; place atop thyme sprigs. Drizzle pears with honey; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until pears are tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand on a baking sheet at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
3. Combine the greens in a large bowl. Add a drizzle dressing and toss to coat, adding more to taste. Divide the salad among plates and place a pear half on top of the greens. Garnish salads with cheese; sprinkle with nuts.
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Butter-Braised Carrots with Thyme
Braised in sweet butter and tossed with garlic and thyme, these carrots are truly sublime.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut into thick matchsticks
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (if desired)
2 thyme sprigs
1¾ cups chicken stock
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a large ovenproof skillet (one that has an accompanying lid, which will be used later), melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the carrots, garlic and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until the carrots are tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
2. Cover the skillet with the lid. Braise the carrots in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are very tender. Discard the thyme sprigs and serve.
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Savory Mushroom Breakfast Strata
This healthy yet decadent-tasting strata is studded with winter squash, mushrooms and tender greens.
Ingredients:
1 bunch hearty greens, such as kale or Swiss chard
½ pound mushrooms, such as baby Shiitake, washed and sliced
½ winter squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1-inch pieces
½ loaf French bread (preferably stale!), cut into 1-inch-thick slices
1-2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped
½ cup Gruyère cheese, grated
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
4 eggs
2 cups milk
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a medium or large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the greens. Cook 2-3 minutes, until tender but still colorful. Transfer to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely and set aside. Cut one of the garlic cloves in half and rub the slices of bread with the cut side. Then mince all of the garlic. Cut the bread into 1-inch squares.
2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy skillet and add the squash. Cook, stirring often, until it begins to soften, and add the thyme, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Then add the mushrooms and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and fragrant. Stir in the greens, toss together and remove from the heat.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Oil or butter a 2-quart baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, the mushrooms, squash and greens, and the two cheeses and toss together. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
4. Beat together the eggs and milk. Add salt to taste and a few twists of the pepper mill, and pour over the bread mixture. Let sit for 30 minutes before baking so that the bread can absorb some of the liquid.
5. Place in the oven and bake 40-50 minutes, until puffed and browned. Remove from the oven and serve hot or warm.
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Meyer Lemon & Thyme-Infused Olive Oil
A wonderful gift for family, friends and neighbors!
Ingredients:
1-2 cups high-quality olive oil
Small bundle of fresh thyme stems (leaves still attached), thoroughly washed and dried
Rind of 1 Meyer lemon
Method:
1. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the thyme stems and lemon rind and allow to steep several minutes in the oil (oil temperature should be 180°).
3. Cool, strain the oil of thyme and lemon and then pour into a resealable container until ready to use.
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Skillet Breakfast Hash with Thyme, Sausage & Chèvre
Golden, crisp-edged potatoes tossed with maple-kissed sausage, sweet onions, and fresh thyme — finished with creamy chèvre for a rich, tangy contrast.Â
Ingredients:
4–5 medium potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
½ red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 Skagit River Ranch breakfast sausage patties
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
½ cup Bellsong Creamery chèvre, crumbled
Olive oil (if needed)
Optional: farm-fresh eggs, for topping
Method:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and cooked through, crumbling the meat into small, bite-sized pieces as you go. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
2. Add diced potatoes to the skillet in an even layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender—about 15–20 minutes. If needed, add a drizzle of olive oil. Stir in sliced onion and thyme. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
3. Return bacon or sausage to the pan and toss to combine. Remove from heat and crumble chèvre over the warm hash so it just begins to soften. Serve immediately, topped with a fried or poached egg, if desired.
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Crispy Potlatch Pilaf Grain Cakes with Chèvre & Thyme
Hearty, crisp-edged, and beautifully savory, these grain cakes turn Bluebird Grain Farms’ Potlatch Pilaf into a satisfying brunch centerpiece.Â
Ingredients:
1 cup Bluebird Grain Farms Organic Potlatch Pilaf (uncooked)
2 cups water or stock
2 farm-fresh eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup Bellsong Creamery chèvre, crumbled
¼ cup finely chopped red or yellow onion
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Olive oil or butter, for cooking
Optional for serving: Jammy or poached eggs; radicchio with tossed dressing; wildflower honey
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring pilaf and water or stock to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender and liquid is absorbed (about 30–40 minutes). Let cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, combine the warm (not hot) cooked grains with eggs, chèvre, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly incorporated. The mixture should hold together when pressed — if too loose, let cool a bit more. Using your hands, shape into small patties, about 2–3 inches wide and ½-inch thick.
3. Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook cakes 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp on the outside. Top with a soft egg and a sprinkle of fresh thyme, or pair with dressed radicchio for contrast. For a sweet-savory twist, drizzle lightly with wildflower honey.
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