Baked Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast
This homey recipe can easily be done a day ahead and chilled until ready to bake.
Ingredients:
1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread
Butter, for greasing the baking pan
8 whole eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Topping:
8 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
½ cup flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins
Method:
1. Cut bread into ¼-inch slices, then overlap the slices in rows in a well-buttered baking dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then pour the mixture evenly over all the pieces of bread, soaking the bread as much as possible.
2. To make the topping, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl and cut it all together with a pastry cutter. Stir in the raisins. Sprinkle the topping all over the casserole. Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate it for several hours or overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the French toast for 45 minutes to 1 hour for a softer texture, or longer for a firmer, crisper texture. Cover with foil for the first 30 minute of baking, then remove it for the remaining baking time. Serve individual helpings with butter and warm syrup
Winter Citrus & Fava Shoot Salad
This crisp, citrus-kissed salad is both bold in flavor and beautiful in presentation.
Ingredients:
1 blood orange
1 Navel orange
½ pound fava shoots
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 fennel bulbs, quartered, cored and thinly sliced, plus a handful of the fronds
Vinaigrette:
1 shallot, peeled and minced
â…“ cup freshly squeezed juice from an orange
â…“ cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
¾ cup olive oil
Sea salt salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
- Spread the salad greens out on a large, round serving platter to make a bed.
- Using a sharp paring knife, cut the tops and bottoms off the orange. Stand oranges up and slice to remove the peel and membrane. Then, slice oranges crosswise into thin wheels.
- Arrange the orange on top of the salad greens, overlapping the slices slightly. Then layer on the fennel slices. Scatter the onion slices on top of the salad.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and then season with ground pepper if desired.
Butter-Braised Turnips
Simmered in rich chicken stock, this dish is finished with lemon juice and thyme for fresh appeal.
Ingredients:
1 pound turnips, green tops removed, washed and roughly chopped
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 peeled shallots
1 cup chicken stock
Juice from ½ lemon
3 tablespoons fresh thyme
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Wash and scrub the turnips, then cut into 1-inch-long pieces.
2. Heat butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan, then and add shallots and turnips. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the turnips begin to caramelize.
3. Add chicken stock, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and turn heat down to low. Let simmer for another 5 minutes, or until stock has started to be absorbed by turnips. Add the turnip greens and simmer another 5 minutes, or until all the stock has been absorbed and the greens are wilted and tender. Add lemon juice and fresh thyme, then season to taste with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Brown Butter & Sage Roasted Carrots
Sweet, earthy Chantenay carrots are roasted until tender and caramelized, then tossed with nutty brown butter and fragrant, crispy sage leaves.Â
Ingredients:
1½ pounds red-cored Chantenay carrots, scrubbed and halved lengthwise if large
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
10–12 fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, optional
Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Arrange carrots on a large baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer, cut sides down. Roast for 25–35 minutes, turning once, until the carrots are tender and beautifully caramelized around the edges.
2. During the last few minutes of roasting, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add sage leaves and cook for 1–2 minutes, until crisp. Transfer the sage to a paper towel-lined plate. Continue cooking the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma, about 1–2 minutes more. Remove from heat immediately and stir in lemon juice and honey or maple syrup, if using.
3. Transfer roasted carrots to a serving platter and drizzle with the warm brown butter. Scatter crispy sage leaves over the top and finish with flaky sea salt. Serve warm.
Fava Shoot Salad with Lemon & Parmesan
Fresh, peppery, and full of texture, this salad is a lovely companion to pasta, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats.
Ingredients:
4 cups fava shoots and spring greens
3–4 radishes, thinly sliced
¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon honey
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Chive blossoms, for garnish (optional)
Method:
1. In a large bowl, gently combine the fava shoots, greens, and sliced radishes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, a pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
3. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss lightly to coat. Finish with shaved Parmesan and scatter chive blossoms over the top before serving.
Chive Blossom Vinegar
This punchy vinegar is fantastic incorporated into salad dressings; just swap it one-to-one with your favorite vinegar in recipes!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chive blossoms
1 cup white wine vinegar
Method:
1. Soak chive blossoms in water to clean, then dry them using a salad spinner.
2. Place chive blossoms into a large canning jar so that the jar is filled about halfway with blossoms. Fill jar with the vinegar, covering the blossoms completely.
3. Let blossoms steep in the vinegar at least overnight or up to several days in a cool, dark place. Strain blossoms from vinegar and pour liquid into a clean jar. Refrigerate for the longest shelf life (the vinegar should last several weeks in the fridge).
Spring Risotto with Wild Mushrooms, Asparagus & Herbs
Earthy mushrooms, tender asparagus, and creamy Arborio rice come together in this elegant spring risotto—rich, comforting, and brightened with fresh herbs and lemon.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup white wine (optional)
½ finely chopped onion or shallot
1–2 tablespoons chopped garlic (optional)
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (or a mixture)
¼ cup grated Grana cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 cups mixed wild mushrooms, washed, trimmed as needed, and sautéed in butter until golden brown
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Pea shoots, for garnish
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Prep your components: In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer to keep warm. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch asparagus for 1–2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 4–5 tablespoons butter. Add onion and cook until soft but not browned. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. Add Arborio rice and stir for about 1 minute until lightly translucent at the edges. Add a ladleful of warm stock and stir until nearly absorbed. Continue adding stock gradually, stirring frequently. Add the wine along with one of the ladles of stock, if using. Continue cooking until the rice is creamy and tender, about 20–25 minutes total.
3. To finish, stir in remaining butter, Grana cheese, parsley, asparagus, lemon zest, and most of the sautéed mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining mushrooms, extra cheese, and a tangle of fresh pea shoots.
Variation: Try topping each individual portion of risotto with a fried duck egg for a truly decadent finish!
Purple Sprouting Broccoli Salad
This room temperature salad from The Barefoot Contessa has just the right amount of crunch!
Ingredients:
1 large bunch purple sprouting broccoli
¼ cup high-quality olive oil
1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Remove and discard the bottom third of the broccoli stems. If some stems are very thick, cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1½ teaspoons salt, and the pepper. When the water comes to a full boil, add the broccolini, return to a boil, and cook over high heat for 2 minutes, until the stalks are just tender. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Pour enough dressing over the broccolini to moisten and toss well. Splash with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sprinkle with salt, and serve warm.
Breakfast Skillet with Bacon, Potatoes & Herbs
Crispy bacon, golden potatoes, and fresh herbs come together in this hearty, one-pan breakfast—simple, satisfying, and perfect for a slow morning.
Ingredients:
8 ounces bacon rashers, chopped
1 pound fingerling potatoes, halved or sliced
1 cup Cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil (as needed)
4–6 eggs
2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, oregano), chopped
Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Method:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
2. Add potatoes to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 12–15 minutes. Add a drizzle of olive oil if needed. Stir in mushrooms and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Return bacon to the pan and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Make small wells in the skillet mixture and crack eggs into each. Cover and cook until whites are set and yolks are cooked to your liking. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately.