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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Asparagus with Sauce Gribiche
Bright green asparagus spears are drizzled with a classic French-style cold egg sauce in this refreshing recipe.
Ingredients:
Asparagus spears
4 hard cooked eggs, peeled
2 hard cooked egg yolks
1-2 teaspoons Dijon or whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
½ cup finely chopped parsley or chervil
1 cup olive oil
¼ cup capers in vinegar, drained and chopped
¼ – ½ cup cornichons, drained and chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook asparagus until crisp-tender, 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to let cool. Remove from water and pat dry.
2. Put whole hard cooked eggs in bowl with mustard, sea salt and pepper and mash together with a pastry blender or fork. Add vinegar and then add the olive oil, drop by drop as if making mayonnaise. To keep the sauce creamy, add very small amounts of vinegar or warm water at a time. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and finish the sauce by adding chopped herbs, capers and cornichons.
3. Arrange asparagus on plates; top each with several dollops of sauce gribiche. Garnish with parsley sprigs.
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Grilled Radicchio with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
These radicchio wedges are wonderful served alongside a grilled entrée.
Ingredients:
1 head Chioggia radicchio
2-4 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Quarter the radicchio heads lengthwise, leaving the cores intact. Brush the cut sides generously with some of the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high and oil the grill rack.
3. Place the radicchio, cut sides down, on the grill and cook, turning frequently, until browned and tender when pierced at the core with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes total. (Close the lid if using a gas grill.)
4. Transfer the radicchio to a platter and drizzle each piece with about ½ teaspoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon vinegar. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
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Garden Greens with Chopped Eggs
This fresh salad is a lovely use for beautiful summer greens.
Ingredients:
4 cups mixed summer greens, washed and patted dry
½ pound green beans, trimmed
½ pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
4 anchovy fillets, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sour cream
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup fresh tarragon leaves
1 cup fresh parsley leaves
Edible flowers, for garnish
Method:
1. Prepare an ice-water bath. Working in batches, blanch green beans in a pot of generously salted boiling water until bright and crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath and let cool; remove. Return water in the pot to a boil, and blanch snow peas, in batches, about 1 minute. Transfer to ice bath until cool; remove peas, and cut in half.
2. Whisk together the anchovies, lemon juice and sour cream in a bowl. Slowly add oil in a steady stream, whisking until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Divide the lettuce greens, green beans and peas among four plates, and top each with chopped eggs and herbs. Drizzle with dressing, season with salt and pepper, and serve garnished with edible flowers.
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Pasta with Sautéed Spring Greens & Chevre
This incredibly-satisfying pasta is very versatile: Use any combination of your favorite hearty greens!
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta of your choice
6 cups mixed spring greens, such as a mix of this week’s micro broccoli, sunflower shoots, pea shoots
1 bunch Swiss chard, tough ribs removed and greens coarsely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons butter, divided
½ cup Chevre cheese, crumbled
¼ pine nuts, toasted
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in the skillet. Once warm, add the garlic and all the greens, tossing to coat with oil and butter. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and sweat until greens are just wilted and tender and garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add drained pasta to the skillet, then toss everything together with the rest of the olive oil and butter. If pasta seems a little dry, mix in reserved pasta water. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with crumbled Chevre and pine nuts on top.
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Garlic-Herb Patty Pan Squash
So simple, so flavorful: These summer beauties are excellent served over grilled crostini, tossed into pastas, or scattered over pizza.
Ingredients:
1 pound Patty Pan squash, washed and halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped herbs of your choice, such as parsley and basil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil until shimmering, then add in summer squash and garlic. Cook, tossing frequently until squash is tender and soft, and garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and season generously with salt and pepper, then toss with fresh herbs.
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Apple Mint Simple Syrup
Try this easy syrup splashed into your next glass of lemonade!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup packed mint leaves, stems removed
Method:
1. To make mint simple syrup, combine sugar, water, and mint leaves in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Immediately reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Strain the leaves.
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Pickled Radishes with Black Peppercorn
These crisp, zingy radish pickles are great for snacking!
Ingredients:
1 large bunch Daikon radishes
1 cup white wine vinegar
½ cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
Method:
1. Thoroughly rinse radishes and trim ends.
2. Add all remaining ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, tightly pack the trimmed radishes into a glass jar and set aside (depending on the size of the radishes, you may need to use two glass jars).
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the brine to cool slightly, about one to two minutes. Pour the brine into the glass jar, being sure to cover the radishes completely. Allow the brine to cool to room temperature. Seal the jar with a tight fitting lid. When kept covered and chilled, the pickled radishes will keep well for 1-2 weeks.
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Pickled Peppers
These addictive peppers are wonderful for snacking, or served with burgers, tacos and sandwiches.
Ingredients:
4 cups assorted peppers (such as this week’s Basque and Bell peppers, plus other favorite varieties!)
1½ cups distilled white vinegar
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
Method:
1. Stem peppers and, leaving seeds, cut into ¼-inch rings, then pack in a clean 1 quart jar.
2. Bring vinegar, all remaining ingredients, and 1½ cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour hot brine over peppers; seal jar. Let cool, then refrigerate. Serve within 1 month.
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Kale Chips
These crispy chips are wonderful for snacking!
Ingredients:
1 bunch Lacinato kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Wash the kale then gently pat it dry. Remove the tough stem from each leaf, then tear the leaves into large pieces.
2. In a large bowl drizzle the olive oil onto the kale, using your hands to massage the oil into the leaves. Sprinkle the cumin and paprika onto the kale (you may need to use your hands to evenly distribute the spices).
3. Lay out the leaves on a baking sheet covered in parchment or a silpat. Dust with sea salt, then bake for about 16 minutes, turning halfway through. Bake until just crisp, leaves should be just curled at the edges.
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