Radicchio-Apple Salad with Dijon-Cider Vinaigrette
Tart, crunchy and crisp, this cool salad celebrates the classic combination of apple and radicchio.
Ingredients:
1 head radicchio
2 fennel bulbs
1 large apple, such as Pippin
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 shallot, minced
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup toasted pecans, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. First prep the radicchio by coring and slicing into thin pieces; also core, peel and thinly-slice the fennel. Cut the apple into slices. Combine the radicchio, fennel and apple in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, shallot, salt and pepper.
3. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, then pour half of the dressing over the radicchio-fennel mixture and stir to combine.
4. Taste, and gradually add more dressing to your liking. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds and pecans.
Braised Carrots with Greek Yogurt & Fresh Mint
This gorgeous side dish is freshened up with creamy yogurt and fragrant mint.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, greens removed and reserved for another use, then peeled and cut into large matchsticks
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
¼ cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons finely-chopped mint
Method:
1. Melt butter in a large heavy sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the carrots, cover, and braise, stirring occasionally, until carrots are fork-tender, 20–30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper, then drizzle carrots with lemon juice and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and finish the dish with a healthy scoop of sheep’s milk yogurt and scattered mint over the top.
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.
Sunflower Shoot Salad with Radishes & Hazelnuts
This stellar salad from Food & Wine is beautifully balanced with peppery greens and radishes and sweet pea shoots.
Ingredients:
½ cup hazelnuts
1½ tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon minced shallot
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups peppery greens, such as arugula or shiso
2 cups sunflower shoots
2-3 Pink radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced on a mandoline
1 fennel bulb, halved lengthwise, cored and very thinly sliced on a mandoline
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the hazelnuts in a pie plate and toast until they are fragrant and the skins blister, about 14 minutes. Transfer the toasted hazelnuts to a kitchen towel and let cool slightly, then vigorously rub the nuts together to remove the skins. Coarsely chop the nuts.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the Champagne vinegar with the Dijon mustard, honey and minced shallot. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and whisk until blended. Season the vinaigrette with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the arugula, sunflower shoots, radishes, fennel and chopped hazelnuts and toss well. Season with salt and pepper and serve right away.
Sweet Corn Fritters
These perfectly-crisp fritters are sure to be a new fall favorite!
Ingredients:
3 cups freshly-shucked corn kernels
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs of your choice, such as parsley, basil and chives
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
¾ cup heavy cream
Vegetable oil, for frying
Sliced scallions, for serving
Crème fraîche, for serving
Method:
1. In a large bowl, stir together the corn kernels, flour, sugar, baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir in the eggs, herbs and heavy cream until the batter is well-combined.
2. Line a plate with paper towels. Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with vegetable oil and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, scoop 2- to 3-tablespoon mounds of the corn batter into the pan, spreading it lightly into a flat, circular shape. Cook the fritters for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them once and cook them an additional 3 minutes until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the fritters to the paper towel-lined plate, season them immediately with salt and repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
3. Garnish the corn fritters with scallions and a generous dollop of crème fraîche.
Pork Tenderloin with Morels, Ramps & White Wine Pan Sauce
Earthy morels, fragrant ramps, and a simple white wine pan sauce bring out the best in tender, perfectly seared pork—an elegant dish that captures the fleeting flavors of spring.
Ingredients:
1 pork tenderloin (about 1–1½ lbs)
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved if large
1 small bunch ramps, trimmed and sliced (separate bulbs and greens)
1 small shallot, finely chopped
½ cup dry white wine
½ cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon chopped lovage or parsley
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Method:
1. Pat pork tenderloin dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 6–8 minutes total. Transfer skillet to a 400°F oven and roast for 10–15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140–145°F. Remove from pan and let rest.
2. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add butter, then morels. Sauté until tender and lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Add shallot and ramp bulbs, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let reduce by half, then add chicken stock and thyme. Simmer until slightly reduced and glossy. Stir in ramp greens and cook just until wilted. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh herbs. Season to taste.
3. To serve, slice pork into medallions and spoon the morel and ramp sauce over top.
Meyer Lemon & Cara Cara Orange Citronette
Crafted from a beautiful mixture of winter citrus, this light, yet punchy, vinaigrette is lovely drizzled on fresh garden greens.
Ingredients:
¼ cup Meyer lemon juice
2-3 tablespoon fresh Cara Cara orange juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoon honey
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt to taste
Method:
1. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt.
Pink Peppercorn Dressing
This bright, zippy dressing from our friend chef Nicco Muratore is lovely tossed with winter chicories.
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, ground
4 sprigs parsley, stems removed and lightly chopped
1 garlic clove
1 orange, zested
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 teaspoons Dijon or whole grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons tangerine vinegar*
1 cup olive oil
Method:
1. Using an immersion blender, blend all the ingredients except for the olive oil. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create a thickened dressing, blend on medium speed once combined, and taste for salt and acid! The dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.Â
*You can substitute apple cider vinegar, Champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar, as needed.
Creamy Polenta Breakfast Bowls with Italian Sausage & Poached Eggs
A comforting, savory breakfast (or any-time meal) that celebrates the rustic flavors of the season.
Ingredients:
1 cup cornmeal or polenta
3 cups water
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons grey sea salt butter, plus more for serving
1 pound Italian sausage
4 large eggs
1 small onion, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced (optional)
Sea Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or chives
Bella Luna wildflower honey, for drizzling
Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta and reduce heat to low. Stir often until thickened and tender, about 30–40 minutes. Stir in the buttermilk, butter, and a generous pinch of salt. Keep warm over low heat, adding more water as needed for a creamy consistency.
2. While the polenta cooks, crumble and brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Once golden, add onion (and carrot, if using) and cook until softened, 5–7 minutes. Season with pepper.
3. Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer and add a splash of vinegar. Crack each egg into a small cup, then carefully slide it into the water. Cook for 3–4 minutes for soft yolks, or longer for firmer eggs.
4. Spoon warm polenta into bowls. Top with sausage and vegetable mixture, a poached egg, and a sprinkle of herbs. Finish with a small pat of butter and a light drizzle of wildflower honey.