Farmhouse Croque Madame
A cozy twist on the French classic, made with Gruyère cheese bread, Bellsong butter, and our own farm eggs. Hint: It is delicious served with a radicchio salad on the side!
Ingredients:
4 thick slices Gruyère cheese bread
4 ounces Italian sausage
2 tablespoons Bellsong grey sea salt butter, plus more for toasting
1 tablespoons flour
¾ cup buttermilk or whole milk
½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 eggs
Fresh chopped herbs, such as thyme or parsley, for garnish
Method:
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
2. In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in buttermilk until smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in Dijon and half the Gruyère cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices butter-side down on a baking sheet, top with sausage and a spoonful of cheese sauce, then a second slice of bread (butter-side up). Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and toast sandwiches until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a baking sheet, top each with remaining cheese sauce and shredded Gruyère, and broil 1–2 minutes until bubbly.
4. In a clean pan, fry the eggs sunny-side-up in butter. Place on top of each sandwich. Garnish with herbs and a crack of black pepper. Serve warm with a light side salad—or enjoy with a drizzle of Bella Luna wildflower honey for a sweet-savory brunch treat.
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Warm Radicchio & Pear Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
This elegant warm salad celebrates fall’s sweetest contrasts: caramelized pears, toasty nuts, and the gentle bite of radicchio drizzled in honey.
Ingredients:
1 head radicchio, cut into 6 wedges through the core
2 ripe pears, cored and sliced into thick wedges
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Bella Luna wildflower honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup toasted walnuts or hazelnuts, roughly chopped
¼ cup shaved Gruyère (or blue cheese, if preferred)
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Arrange radicchio and pear wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 12–15 minutes, turning once, until the edges caramelize and the pears are tender.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon, and vinegar. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Arrange the warm radicchio and pears on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the honey vinaigrette, then top with toasted nuts and shaved Gruyère. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a hunk of Gruyère bread or alongside your favorite fall main.
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Buttery Braised Leeks
Accented with just a squeeze of lemon, these sublime leeks are a worthy side dish.
Ingredients:
2 leeks, trimmed and halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Juice of ½ lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Melt butter and olive oil over a medium-high flame in a large sauté pan.
2. Once the oil and butter are hot, place the leeks cut side down into the pan. Let the leeks brown in the pan for 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip the leeks over and turn the heat on low. Cover and let the leeks braise for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the leeks are soft all the way through.
3. Take the leeks off the heat and squirt the lemon juice over the braised leeks and add salt and pepper to taste.
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Cranberry-Herb Compound Butter
This festive, jewel-toned spread is an all-star: Melt it over roasted vegetables, rub it on your turkey to give it a beautifully burnished skin, or slather it onto warm English muffins for an instant holiday upgrade.
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Maple-Spiced Apples
These fragrant apples are wonderful served on top of French toast.
Ingredients:
4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced ¼-inch thick
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Method:
1. Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Add apples and cook over medium heat until they begin to soften.
2. Add brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon and maple syrup. Cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Variation: This recipe is also lovely with fall pears instead of apples, or a mixture of the two.
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Thyme-Roasted Apples & Onions
Fresh thyme adds a savory note to these sweet roasted apples and caramelized onions—delicious on warm crostini or as a savory-sweet side.
Ingredients:
2 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 yellow onions, peeled and cut into quarters
3 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
4 apples, peeled, cored and each cut into 4 wedges
½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus additional for sprinkling
Method:
1. Boil cider in a large saucepan until reduced to about ⅓ cup, about 20 minutes. Whisk in the butter. Season glaze with 1 teaspoon coarse salt.
2. Preheat to 425°. Butter two large rimmed baking sheets. Toss onions in a large bowl with 2 teaspoons of thyme and 3 tablespoons of glaze. Arrange in a single layer on one sheet. Toss apples in the same bowl with 2 teaspoons of thyme and 3 tablespoons of glaze. Arrange in a single layer on a second sheet. Sprinkle onions and apples with coarse salt and pepper.
3. Roast onions on the upper oven rack for 10 minutes. Place apples on the bottom rack. Roast onions and apples for 20 minutes. Remove both sheets from the oven. Drizzle remaining glaze evenly over onions and apples. Switch position of the sheets, then roast 20 minutes longer.
4. Increase oven temperature to 475°. Roast onions and apples until tender and slightly caramelized, watching closely to prevent burning, about 10 minutes longer. Transfer onions and apples to a large bowl. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon thyme.
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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.
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Radicchio & Poached Egg Salad with Crispy Bacon
This dish is an excellent combination of bitter radicchio, salty pancetta, creamy egg yolks, and tangy vinaigrette—perfect for brunch with a slice of crusty bread on the side.
Ingredients:
1 head radicchio, torn into bite-sized pieces
4 large eggs
6 slices thick-cut bacon or bacon rashers, chopped, or pancetta cubes
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
¼ cup walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Method:
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Toss the torn radicchio leaves in a large bowl with the vinaigrette, coating evenly. Add the toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese (if using).
3. Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Add a splash of vinegar to help the egg whites set. Crack each egg into a small bowl, then gently slide it into the simmering water. Cook for about 3 minutes for runny yolks, or 4 minutes for firmer yolks. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
4. Divide the dressed radicchio among plates. Top each serving with bacon and a poached egg. Add a pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper to each salad and serve immediately.
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Sicilian-Style Citrus Salad
This traditional Italian favorite is filled with juicy oranges, briny olives, fresh parsley and the nutty crunch of pistachios. It’s vibrant, simple, and fresh.
Ingredients:
½ red onion, minced or thinly sliced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
6 winter oranges, a mix of what looks good (Cara Cara, Navel, Blood, Valencia, etc)
1 grapefruit
12 Castelvetrano olives, pitted and finely chopped
⅓ cup pistachios, shelled and chopped
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Method:
1. In a small bowl, combine the onion with the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature while you prepare the rest of the salad.
2. Using a sharp knife (serrated works great here), peel all of the citrus. First, cut off a thin piece from the top and bottom of the orange so it can sit flat on the cutting board. Then, cutting from top to bottom and following the curve of the fruit, remove the peel and white pith. Slice the oranges about ¼” thick, remove seeds and arrange on a platter. For the grapefruit, cut into segments and pile on top of oranges.
3. Drain the onions, reserving 2 tablespoons of the red wine vinegar, and scatter over the citrus slices along with the olives and pistachios.
4. Whisk together the reserved vinegar and olive oil. Taste and adjust with more vinegar, olive oil, salt and/ or pepper if needed. Drizzle half of the dressing evenly over the salad, garnish with parsley and serve with remaining dressing on the side.
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Fingerling Potato Homefries
These creamy, rustic potatoes are flecked with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes for heat.
Ingredients:
1 pound baby or fingerling potatoes, such as this week’s German Butterball potatoes
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Method:
1. Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with water and season the water abundantly with salt. Bring to a boil and cook the potatoes until a fork slides in and out of them easily. Drain potatoes and cool.
2. Coat a large sauté pan generously with olive oil. Add the onions, season with salt and bring the pan to a medium high heat. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and sauté for 7 to 8 minutes or until the onions are soft and wilted but do not have any color.
3. Using the heel of your hand, smash the boiled potatoes to flatten and to break apart. Add to the pan, toss with onions and then flatten them against the bottom of the pan so they begin to form a crust. Repeat this process a few times to cover the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and toss with the chopped parsley.
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