Balsamic-Glazed Root Vegetables
An herb-packed marinade infuses fresh flavor into winter staples like carrots and parsnips.
Ingredients:
4-6 carrots, scrubbed, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 parsnips, scrubbed, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 beets, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch chunks
½ winter squash of your choice, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch wedges
1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh herbs, such as thyme and parsley
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Combine all the vegetables in a large bowl. In a smaller separate bowl, combine garlic, oil, herbs, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar. Mix the marinade with the vegetables, tossing to coat, then cover in plastic wrap and let sit for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange vegetables on a baking sheet and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast 35-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and cooked through.
Variation: These vegetables are also fantastic served as a warm winter salad over greens with freshly-grated Grana cheese.
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How-To: Brine Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Soaking a turkey overnight in a solution of salt and water ensures a moist, juicy interior; beautiful aromatics infuse it with flavor.
(Makes enough for one 17-20 pound turkey)
Ingredients:
7 quarts water
Farm & Larder brine mix
1 bottle dry white wine
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves
1 bouquet garni (a bundle of dried herbs, such as this week’s thyme and rosemary, plus sage)
Tools:
5-gallon brining container (tub, stockpot, or bucket)
Large brining bag (included in your brining kit)
Method:
1. One day before roasting the turkey, bring 1 quart water and the brine mixture to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. To minimize cleanup, line a 5-gallon container with the brining bag. Place turkey in the bag and add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts (24 cups) water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag tightly; if turkey is not fully submerged, weight it down with a plate. Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once. (If there isn’t room in your refrigerator, place the turkey inside a cooler, and surround it with ice, replenishing as necessary to keep it at 40 degrees).
3. Remove turkey from brine one hour before roasting, and pat it dry inside and out. Let stand for up to an hour before roasting it to your preferred recipe’s specifications.
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Whole-Roasted Cauliflower
This dish can’t be beat for presentation, served whole and topped with olive oil and sea salt.
Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, leaves removed
2 ½ cups dry white wine
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sugar
1 bay leaf
Additional olive oil and sea salt for garnish
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 475°. Bring wine, oil, kosher salt, lemon juice, butter, red pepper flakes, sugar, bay leaf and 8 cups water to a boil in a large stock pot.
2. Add cauliflower, reduce heat and simmer, turning occasionally until knife easily inserts into center, about 25 minutes.
3. Using two slotted spoons, removed cauliflower from pot and transfer to rimmed baking sheet, draining well. Roast until brown all over about 30-40 minutes.
4. Transfer cauliflower to serving platter, drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt.
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Bietola Swiss Chard Gratin
Creamy with just a hint of mustard, this rustic gratin makes for a lovely side dish.
Ingredients:
1 pound Bietola Swiss chard, with both stems and leaves intact
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1¾ cup heavy cream
Grated Parmesan
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Butter, for baking dish
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 350°. Cut the chard leaves from the stems. Chop the stems into short lengths, then cook briefly in boiling, lightly salted water until crisply tender. Remove the stems. Drop the leaves in the boiling water briefly, until they relax. Drain, let cool, and wring out the leaves. Spread the stems and leaves in a buttered shallow ovenproof dish.
2. Put the mustard in a bowl and stir in the cream and a grinding of salt and black pepper. Pour the seasoned cream over the stems and leaves, cover with grated Parmesan, and bake, 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
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Slow-Roasted Celery
This unexpected side dish is sure to be a new favorite.
Ingredients:
2 bunches celery, halved lengthwise, leaves removed and coarsely chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed
3 tablespoons apple cider
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
3⁄4 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
2⁄3 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the celery for 3 minutes, scoop them out with a slotted spoon, and let drain. Place the celery on a baking sheet, cut sides down.
3. Whisk the garlic, apple cider and olive oil together, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the celery with half of the dressing and half of the parsley and slide the baking sheet into the oven. Pour the stock over them and cook for 45 to 60 minutes (depending on the thickness of the celery), until the celery al dente and the tips are coloring.
4. Transfer to a serving platter if desired. Drizzle with the rest of the dressing; sprinkle with the rest of the parsley, celery leaves, cheese, and hazelnuts; and serve.
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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.
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Bratwurst with Caramelized Onions, Leeks & Sweet Peppers
This inviting main dish is incredibly flavorful! (If you happen to have any leftovers, try piling them into a sandwich with this week’s pumpernickel bread.)
Ingredients:
4 bratwurst links
2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced into half-rings
2 leeks, trimmed of root and dark green ends and thinly-sliced
2 sweet peppers, seeded and sliced
2 tablespoons butter
Method:
1. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter and then add the onions, leeks and peppers, cooking over low heat until all the onions and leeks are caramelized and the peppers are tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in another skillet, simmer the bratwurst in 1-2-inches of water to cover for 20 minutes. Then drain off the water from the skillet and continue cooking just long enough to brown the bratwurst lightly.
3. To serve, pile the bratwurst atop the caramelized veggies and serve with sauerkraut and mustard on the side.
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Fried Duck Eggs Over Roasted Fall Vegetables
Shake up your breakfast routine with this hearty, healthy vegetable hash!
Ingredients:
1 pound Huckleberry gold potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups carrots, peeled, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed of fronds and root ends and sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for frying the eggs
4 duck eggs
1 teaspoon finely-chopped thyme
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
2. Using your fingers, toss the vegetables with the oil, salt and thyme in a bowl and then transfer to the baking sheet.
3. Put the vegetables in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Flip them gently with a spatula and continue to roast until the vegetables are browned and crispy, another 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmery. Carefully crack 1 duck egg and drop into the pan, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Fry until whites are set and crispy around the edges, but yolk is still runny, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with remaining eggs.
5. Remove vegetables from the oven and top each individual serving with a fried duck egg.
Variation: This hash is extremely versatile: Clean out the crisper and use any vegetables you have on hand!
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Braised Fennel & Carrots
Kissed with honey and orange zest, this beautiful side sings with bright flavor.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch-long sticks
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored and cut into ⅛-inch thick slices
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Zest of 1 orange
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
¼ cup water
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons fennel fronds, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add the butter, olive oil and honey. Stir well and add the carrots, fennel, orange zest and fennel seeds. Toss until the slices are well coated with the oil. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the fennel starts to soften.
2. Add the water, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Toss quickly and reduce heat to between medium and medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
3. Uncover the pan. Raise heat to high and fast-simmer until the juices have all evaporated and some of the vegetables are golden-brown, about 6 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with the fennel fronds, and serve immediately.
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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.
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