Quince-Ginger Compote
Another fantastic filling option for this week’s crêpes.
Ingredients:
3 cups off-dry white wine, such as Riesling
1½ cups water, plus more if needed
1½ cups sugar
12 thin slices peeled fresh ginger (from one 2-inch piece)
3 pounds just ripened quince (about 4), peeled, cored, and cut into ½ -inch wedges
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Method:
1. Bring wine, water, sugar, and ginger to a simmer in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Add quinces. (Add more water if needed to cover fruit.) Reduce heat, and simmer gently until quinces are tender, 25 to 45 minutes depending on ripeness of fruit.
2. Transfer quinces to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Bring liquid in saucepan to a simmer, and cook until slightly syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove, and discard ginger. Stir in lemon juice. Pour syrup over quinces. Let stand until cool. Refrigerate if desired.
Garlic-Ginger Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry
Serve this fragrant stir-fry with rice or noodles; we also love topping each serving with a fried egg and extra hot sauce.
Ingredients:
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup hoisin sauce
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly-grated ginger
1- 2 tablespoons Sun Sauce or Sriracha (optional)
1 pound stir-fry beef, thinly-sliced
2 tablespoons sesame oil or vegetable oil
8 ounces mushrooms, such as a mix of Cremini and Shiitake, washed and sliced if very large
1 bunch broccolini, trimmed of any tough ends
1 bunch Senposai greens
1 Lotus root, peeled, trimmed of root ends and thinly-sliced into rounds
1 yellow onion, cut into slices
1 bunch scallions, trimmed of root ends and minced
Method:
1. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger and Sun Sauce until combined.
2. Put the beef slices in a plastic baggie or bowl. Pour ¼ cup of the garlic-ginger sauce over the pork and mix to coat evenly. Marinate at least 1 hour or overnight in the fridge. Place remaining garlic-ginger sauce in the fridge as well.
3. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the sesame or vegetable oil and the pork. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet add the other tablespoon of oil and add all the prepped vegetables and greens. Cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pork and remaining garlic-ginger sauce. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with scallions and sesame seeds on top, if desired.
Ginger-Carrot Soup
This bright soup from The Splendid Table is super flavorful thanks to a kick of fresh ginger and orange juice.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup chopped yellow onion
4 cups chopped carrots
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, finely-grated fresh peeled ginger
1 tablespoon lemon juice
14-ounce can coconut milk
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, broth, orange juice, ginger, and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat. Puree with immersion blender or food processor, until very smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in the coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Reheat the soup over medium heat until hot. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
Sautéed Tokyo Bekana with Sesame, Ginger & Soy Sauce
Fragrant ginger and sesame oil lend big flavor to this dish of sautéed greens.
Ingredients:
2 pounds Tokyo bekana (or any Asian green)
4 tablespoons light sesame oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 teaspoons peeled and minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
4 teaspoons rice vinegar
Method:
1. In a wide heavy sauté pan or wok over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the sesame seeds and stir until they pop and become fragrant. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
2. Add the greens and 1 tablespoon soy sauce, raise the heat and cook, covered, for 1 minute. Uncover and sauté for 1 or 2 minutes more, until the greens are tender but still bright green. Stir in more soy sauce and vinegar to taste, and serve immediately.
Ginger-Honey Kabocha Squash
Fresh ginger and sweet honey add a delightful twist to this essential steamed squash recipe.
Ingredients:
1 Kabocha squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sea salt
Method:
1. Bring 8-quart pot of water to boil. Add squash and boil, uncovered, 2 ½ minutes. Using tongs, flip squash over, then boil 2½ minutes more. Drain and let cool.
2. When squash is cool enough to handle, cut off top and bottom and remove skin with paring knife. Cut squash in half crosswise, scoop out seeds, and cut flesh into 1-inch chunks.
3. In medium bowl, stir together squash, olive oil, honey, ginger, and salt. Transfer to steamer set over boiling water and steam until tender, about 15 minutes. Spoon onto large plate and serve.
Slow-Roasted Ginger-Lime Carrots
These flavorful carrots from Jennifer Perillo’s Homemade with Love cookbook are wonderful served hot, at room temperature and even cold.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, peeled and stems discarded
1 (1½ -inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
Zest of 1 lime
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 300°.
2. Add the ginger, syrup, lime zest and salt to a small bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste. Beat with a fork or whisk to mix well.
3. Arrange the carrots in a roasting pan. Pour the ginger-oil mixture over them, tossing the carrots to coat them well. Bake until tender when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Wonderful served hot, at room temperature and even cold.
Persimmon Cake
Persimmon Cake
This homey, warm spice cake is fragrant with nutmeg, ginger and ripe persimmon.
Ingredients:
1 cup persimmon purée*
1 cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves and cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
*To make persimmon purée, make sure to use only very ripe persimmons (they are the texture of an overripe tomato; dark spots are okay). Peel the skin off the persimmons, remove any seeds, and purée in a food processor or blender.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together persimmon purée, sugar, and vegetable oil until uniform. Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and apple juice. Gradually add the baking powder, spices, and salt. Fold in the flour until just incorporated.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar
Persimmon Cake
This homey, warm spice cake is fragrant with nutmeg, ginger and ripe persimmon.
Ingredients:
1 cup persimmon purée*
1 cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves and cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
*To make persimmon purée, make sure to use only very ripe persimmons (they are the texture of an overripe tomato; dark spots are okay). Peel the skin off the persimmons, remove any seeds, and purée in a food processor or blender.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together persimmon purée, sugar, and vegetable oil until uniform. Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and apple juice. Gradually add the baking powder, spices, and salt. Fold in the flour until just incorporated.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Plum Compote
This delectable compote is delicious spooned over yogurt, ice cream, even waffles or pancakes!
Ingredients:
3-4 plums, seeds removed and quartered
1 orange
3 tablespoons high-quality maple syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cardamom
Pinch kosher salt
Method:
1. Squeeze the juice from the orange into a medium skillet, then add the maple syrup, spices and salt. Set heat to medium and gently stir mixture until sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to gently simmer (adjusting heat as needed) for about 5 minutes, then add quartered plums.
2. Continue to let the mixture simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the plums are tender, but still maintain their shape. If the liquid appear more watery than syrupy, remove plums with a slotted spoon and continue to simmer the liquid until a slightly syrupy texture is achieved, then pour over plums. Allow compote to cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container. Refrigerate if not using right away.
Grated Cauliflower Salad with Ginger-Lime Dressing
Tossed with a bright, zesty dressing, raw cauliflower shines in this simple salad.
Ingredients:
3 cups grated cauliflower*
½ finely diced carrot
½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
â…“ cup finely diced scallions
¼ cup minced cilantro
Dressing:
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons agave nectar or honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon minced jalapeño pepper
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, ginger, jalapeño and agave nectar or honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the cauliflower, carrot, red bell pepper, scallions and cilantro. Toss with the dressing and serve immediately or cover and chill under ready to serve.
*Tip: To grate the cauliflower, simply grate large sections against a box or cheese grater, or in a food processor using the grating blade.
Maple-Ginger Winter Squash
You’ll love this unique flavor combination!
Ingredients:
1 winter squash of your choice
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 heaping tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350° Half the squash and remove the seeds. Then, cut into wedges. Place in baking dish.
2. Melt butter in small dish. Stir in ginger and maple syrup. Using a brush, spread mixture over squash wedges. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until squash is cooked through and crisp on edges.