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.
Cherry Tomato Salsa with Fresh Herbs
A pico de gallo-style salsa bright in flavor and combined with spring onions and mint.
Ingredients:
1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, washed and cut in half
2-3 spring onions, trimmed and finely diced
½-1 jalapeño pepper, depending on taste, seeds removed and finely chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Sea salt
Method:
1. Combine tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper in a medium bowl. Add herbs, then drizzle lime juice over the salsa. Season generously with sea salt, to taste. Allow to sit 10-20 minutes on the countertop for flavors to fully combine.
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
⅓ 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
1⅓ 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.
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.
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.
Maple-Ginger Winter Squash
You’ll love this unique flavor combination!
Ingredients:
1 winter squash of your choice, such as this week’s Black Futsu squash
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.
Celery & Cucumber Salad with Herbs
This side salad from Martha Stewart is incredibly crisp and refreshing.
Ingredients:
6 celery stalks, thinly sliced crosswise
1-2 Persian cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced crosswise
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Toss together celery, cucumber, parsley, mint, and oil in a bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Zucchini Blossom Frittata
A rustic garden dish that celebrates the fleeting charm of summer blossoms.
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
¼ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 baby zucchini, thinly sliced into rounds
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
½ cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan
8–10 fresh zucchini blossoms, stems removed and gently opened
Optional garnish: fresh basil, chive blossoms, or microgreens
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl with the cream, salt, and pepper until light and frothy. Stir in the grated cheese and set aside.
2. In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the zucchini rounds and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden. Pour the egg mixture over the sautéed vegetables, gently swirling the pan so everything distributes evenly. Let cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes, until the edges just begin to set. Carefully arrange the zucchini blossoms on top, pressing them slightly into the eggs. Continue to cook on the stove for another 2 minutes, or until the frittata is set around the edges but still jiggly in the center.
3. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the frittata is fully set and lightly puffed. If using the broiler, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully, until the top is just golden and cooked through. Let the frittata rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tomato Salad with Corn, Summer Squash & Roasted Onions
Roasted sweet onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to this refreshing salad.
Ingredients:
2 sweet onions, peeled and sliced into ½-inch-thick rings
2 heirloom tomatoes, chopped
2 small ears of corn, shucked, blanched and kernels removed
1 summer squash, diced
1 scallion, diced
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
10 basil leaves, thinly sliced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange the sliced onion rings on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt, tossing to coat onions on both sides. Roast for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through until onions are brown and soft. Remove from onion, allow to cool, then roughly chop.
2. In a large bowl, add the chopped tomatoes, corn kernels, summer squash and scallion. Add roasted onions and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey with sherry vinegar, then add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper then whisk well to combine. Drizzle dressing over the salad to taste and top with basil.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
These flavorful peppers make for a wonderful pre-dinner nibble!
8 ounces (3 heaping cups) Shishito peppers
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
Lemon wedge, optional
Flaky sea salt or kosher salt, to taste
Method:
1. Rinse and pat the peppers dry on a clean tea towel. Transfer the peppers to a medium bowl, drizzle in the oil, and toss until the peppers are evenly coated. Set aside.
2. Preheat a medium skillet over medium heat until it’s hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates quickly on contact. Add the peppers and let them cook, stirring every minute or so (not too often), until they are tender with charred spots, about 8 to 12 minutes.
3. Transfer the peppers to a serving plate. Spritz with a lemon wedge, if desired. Sprinkle with salt, to taste (don’t skimp). Serve with a little bowl on the side for the pepper stems.