Sweet Onion Confit
This buttery-sweet topping makes for a wonderful addition to a holiday cheeseboard!
Ingredients:
2 sweet onions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon balsamic or sherry vinegar (optional)
Method:
1. Peel and slice the onions. Heat a bit of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add sweet onions, sprinkle with salt, reduce heat to medium low or low and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are extremely tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Keep heat low enough so onions are cooking but not browning; caramelizing will brown them inside-out rather than bits of browning on the outside first. Finish with a splash of balsamic or sherry vinegar, if you like.
Radicchio-Apple Salad with Dijon-Cider Vinaigrette
Tart, crunchy and crisp, this cool salad celebrates the classic combination of apple and radicchio.
Ingredients:
1 head radicchio
2 fennel bulbs
1 large apple, such as Pippin
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 shallot, minced
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup toasted pecans, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. First prep the radicchio by coring and slicing into thin pieces; also core, peel and thinly-slice the fennel. Cut the apple into slices. Combine the radicchio, fennel and apple in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, shallot, salt and pepper.
3. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, then pour half of the dressing over the radicchio-fennel mixture and stir to combine.
4. Taste, and gradually add more dressing to your liking. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds and pecans.
Orchard Fruit & Blue Cheese Salad with Fall Greens
Tossed with a light balsamic vinaigrette, this crisp salad is both bold and beautiful.
Ingredients:
4-6 cups Mizuna greens
1 Manon pear, cored and thinly sliced
1 Arkansas Black apple, cored and thinly slice
½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic until well combined. Season to taste with salt and ground pepper.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine Mizuna greens and apple and pear slices. Toss with about half of the vinaigrette, adding more to taste as desired. Crumble blue cheese over top, season generously with black pepper and serve.
Blueberry-Nectarine Buckle
This easy dessert is sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients:
For the topping:
½ stick (¼ cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
½ cup sugar
â…“ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
For the batter:
1½ sticks (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1â…“ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
2 cups blueberries, picked over and rinsed
2 nectarines, pitted and cut into 1-inch wedges
Method:
1. Make the topping: In a small bowl, blend together the butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg until the mixture resembles coarse meal; chill the topping while making the batter.
2. Make the batter: In a small bowl with an electric mixer or a stand mixer, cream together the butter and the sugar and beat in the vanilla. In a small bowl stir together the baking powder, the flour, and the salt, beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture alternately with the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and fold in the blueberries and the nectarines.
3. Spread the batter in a well-buttered 10-by 2-inch round cake pan or 2-quart baking pan, sprinkle the topping evenly over it and bake the buckle in the middle of a preheated 350° oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean and the topping is crisp and golden. Serve the buckle with whipped cream or ice cream.
Roasted Grapes with Thyme
These juicy grapes boast an intense flavor, and are wonderful served with a sharp cheese and toasted bread.
Ingredients:
1 pound Canadice grapes, rinsed and stemmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. In a large sheet pan, mix grapes, olive oil, fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper. Bake, shaking pan occasionally, until grapes are beginning to blister, 15-18 minutes. Use immediately or let stand until ready to use, up to 4 hours.
Baked Eggs with Heirloom Tomatoes
Juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs and a touch of cream lend rich appeal to this dish.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heirloom tomatoes, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
4 eggs
4 teaspoons heavy cream
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Grana-style cheese (optional)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Generously butter four ½-cup ramekins.
2. In a bowl, stir together the tomatoes, basil, parsley, plus salt and pepper. Divide evenly among the prepared ramekins. Cut the 2 tablespoons of butter into small pieces and divide among the ramekins, sprinkling the pieces evenly over the tomato mixture. Break an egg into each ramekin. Season with more salt and pepper as needed. Drizzle each egg with 1 teaspoon of the cream. Arrange the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Bake until the egg whites are opaque and the yolks have firm edges and are soft in the center, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle each serving with cheese, if using. Serve immediately.
How-To: Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms
Follow these simple steps to reconstitute the beautiful mushrooms found in this week’s box.
Ingredients:
Dried wild mushrooms
Tools:
Medium saucepan
Handheld strainer
2-3 cups warm water, stock or wine
Method:
1. Place mushrooms in a medium saucepan. (Dried mushrooms will reconstitute to 6-8 times their dry weight.)
2. Cover mushrooms with warm water, stock or wine. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Allow to soak in liquid for at least 15-20 minutes; gradually the mushrooms will begin to soak in moisture and plump.
3. Drain mushrooms of liquid with the strainer. Reserve the flavorful soaking liquid for use in soup, stocks and more! Briefly sauté the reconstituted mushrooms in a little butter or olive oil, add a splash of white wine if desired, add salt and pepper to taste, and then use according to your recipe.
Polish Sausage, Cabbage & Potato Stew
This dish is perfect for a crisp fall evening, filling the kitchen with its rich, savory aroma!
Ingredients:
1 pound Polish sausage links, poached in water and then sliced into diagonal rounds
1 medium green cabbage, chopped
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional, for extra flavor)
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Method:
1. Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the cabbage, potatoes, caraway seeds (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the cabbage starts to soften.
2. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
3. Return the browned sausage to the pot and simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy this cozy, savory stew with a slice of crusty bread on the side.
Savory Apple & Leek Pumpernickel Stuffing
Earthy pumpernickel bread, sweet apples, and mellow leeks come together for a deeply flavorful stuffing that feels both rustic and refined. Perfect alongside this week’s bratwurst or a roasted chicken!
Ingredients:
6 cups pumpernickel bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons butter
2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
2 apples, cored and diced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 egg, lightly beaten
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast until slightly crisp, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the apples and thyme, and cook for another 5 minutes until the apples are tender but not mushy. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the leek–apple mixture. Pour in the broth and toss gently to coat. Let sit a few minutes to absorb. Stir in the beaten egg, then transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp. Serve warm.