Lemon Broccolini
This light and fresh side is accented by tart lemon juice and fresh-cracked pepper.
Ingredients:
1 bunch broccolini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Wash and trim the broccolini and steam for 5 minutes, until it is crisp yet tender. Drain.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the broccolini and toss to coat.
Variations: This crisp side is also wonderful topped with chopped hazelnuts, or a pinch of crushed red pepper in lieu of black pepper.
Grilled Corn & Poblano Salad
Smoky, a little spicy and very summery, this salad with a snap to prepare.
Ingredients:
4 ears of corn, in husks
2 Poblano chiles
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
¾ teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s)
Sea salt
Vegetable oil (for grill)
Method:
1. Prepare a grill for medium heat; oil grate. Whisk lime juice and hot sauce in a medium bowl; season with salt. Set dressing aside.
2. Grill corn (still in husks) and chiles, turning occasionally, until corn is charred all over (husks will be nicely blackened and some of the kernels will become deeply browned in spots) and chiles are blackened in spots and crisp-tender, 10–12 minutes for corn and 8–10 minutes for chiles. Transfer to a platter and let cool slightly before shucking corn.
3. Slather corn with butter, then cut kernels from cobs into bowl with reserved dressing. Remove seeds from chiles and chop. Add to corn along with scallions. Toss to combine; season corn salad with salt.
Grilled Summer Vegetable Focaccia Sandwich
This satisfying sammie is extremely adaptable: Tuck in some grilled chicken, add a little spicy salami or throw in even more veggies.
Ingredients:
2 heirloom tomatoes, thickly-sliced into rings
2 zucchini, sliced into long, thick wedges
1 Walla Walla sweet onions, peeled and thickly-sliced into rings
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed of green ends and thickly-sliced into rings
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Focaccia bread loaf
Lemon-Herb Mayonnaise (see recipe)
Method:
1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Spread the vegetables out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Arrange the vegetables on the grill grate and cook 3-4 minutes per side, until all the veggies are softened and slightly charred. Remove and set aside.
3. Cut a loaf of focaccia in half lengthwise, and spread both sides with the Lemon-Herb Mayonnaise. Layer on the tomatoes, zucchini slices, fennel and onions rings on one side, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then top with the other bread half. Cut into wedges and serve.
Cherry Clafoutis
This rustic French dessert combines fresh, juicy cherries and creamy, custardy batter, all baked to golden-brown perfection.
Ingredients:
4 large eggs
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons melted butter
¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
Powdered sugar for dusting
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and lightly flour a 9-inch round pie dish or cast iron pan. Reserve.
2. In a food processor, combine the eggs, sugar, salt, milk, lemon zest and vanilla extract. Blend just until combined. Add the flour and blend again, just until combined and smooth. Finally, add the melted butter and pulse a few times to incorporate into the batter. (You can also mix the ingredients by hand.)
3. Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Top with the cherry halves, placing them cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the custard is just set. A knife poked in the center should emerge relatively clean. Remove from the oven and let cool 20 minutes, then run a knife around pan sides to loosen clafoutis. Dust the top with powdered sugar; cut into wedges and serve.
Cucumber & Snap Pea Salad
This crisp salad will cool you down on a hot summer’s day.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley, chives and mint
1 cucumber, sliced
¾ pound snap peas, trimmed and halved
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Whisk together the yogurt, vinegar and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Fold in the cucumber and snap peas. Refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Mediterranean-Inspired Spring Salad
The light and bright salad is extremely versatile; toss in your favorite salad ingredients!
Ingredients:
4 cups mixed spring salad greens, such Little Gem and Cegolaine
1 slicing cucumber, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks
4 mini peppers, seeded and chopped
1 cup Kalamata olives
¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh oregano or other fresh herb of your choice, stripped of stems and chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Place the greens, peppers and cucumber all in a bowl. Mix in the olives.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and salt and pepper, and pour over the salad to coat. Toss well then sprinkle with feta cheese.
Italian Fontina ‘Fonduta’
The classic Italian-style fondue, crafted with this week’s silky duck eggs.
Ingredients:
8 ounces Fontina-style cheese, cut into ½-inch pieces
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter,
cut into tablespoon-size pieces
1 duck egg yolk
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the Fontina, milk and cream and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the cheese starts to melt, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the butter and egg yolk and cook over low heat, stirring, until very smooth, 3 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Transfer the fonduta to a warmed serving bowl or fondue pot and sprinkle with additional sea salt, if desired.
Pappardelle Pasta with Duxelles & Italian Sausage
This light, creamy pasta is a show-stopper, topped with mushrooms duxelles and savory sausage.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh pasta, such as this week’s pappardelle
1 pound Italian sausage
¾ cup F&L duxelles
2-3 tablespoons butter
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of heavily-salted water to a boil. Drop in pasta noodles and cook according to package directions, or until al dente, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned and no longer pink on the inside, breaking up into bite-sized chunks with the back of a spoon. Add in the pasta noodles, and the toss in the remaining tablespoon each of the butter and olive oil, then the duxelles and fresh parsley. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Baked Orzo
This hearty baked orzo recipe is incredibly satisfying!
Ingredients:
2 cups orzo pasta
4 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4½ cups chicken stock
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onions and garlic and sauté for about 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
2. Add in the orzo, and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. Add in broth and then salt and pepper to taste and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and sprinkle in the feta cheese, mixing well.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 2-quart baking dish. Add the orzo mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from oven and garnish with the chopped parsley before serving.
Variations: Try topping this baked dish with Kalamata onions, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, or with a helping of your favorite roasted vegetables.
Buttered New Potatoes with Fresh Herbs
This simple recipe from Ina Garten brings out the buttery flavor of new potatoes.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds baby red potatoes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup mixed fresh green herbs, such as parsley, mint, chives and dill, all chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the whole potatoes, salt, and pepper and toss well. Cover the pot tightly and cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender when tested with a small knife. From time to time, shake the pot without removing the lid to prevent the bottom potatoes from burning.
2. Turn off the heat and allow the potatoes to steam for another 5 minutes. Toss with the herbs, and serve hot.