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.
Broccolini Salad with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This salad packs in the flavor!
Ingredients:
1 large bunch broccolini, trimmed of tough ends
¼ cup olives of your choice, pitted and chopped
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cook the broccolini until just tender in salted boiling water. Drain and let cool.
2. Stir the lemon juice, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
3. Add the broccolini to the bowl and toss with dressing. Taste and add salt as needed. Add olives, parsley and sun-dried tomatoes, toss gently.
Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon & Basil
This incredibly fresh side from Alice Waters’ Art of Simple Food II is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Ingredients:
2-3 small zucchini, ends removed
¼ bunch basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Slice the zucchini into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandolin makes this easier, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.)
2. Stack the basil leaves, and cut them thinly crosswise.
3. Layer the squash slices into a shallow dish. Sprinkle each layer with salt, pepper, basil, lemon juice and olive oil. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and serve.
Variations: Try grating the zucchini instead, or use other herbs, like mint, cilantro, or chervil with the basil.
Tomato Fritters
A favorite throughout the Mediterranean, these delightfully-crisp nibbles are a wonderful pairing for a summer salad.
Ingredients:
3 cups ripe heirloom or cherry tomatoes, or a mixture of both, grated or finely chopped
3 purple scallions, purple and tender green parts, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
4 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
1¼-1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
Method:
1. In a large bowl, mix together the grated or chopped tomatoes, scallions, herbs, cinnamon if using, salt and pepper. Combine 1¼ cups of the flour and the baking powder in a small bowl and add it to the tomatoes, mixing well. Add flour if necessary to give the mixture the consistency of a thick batter. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
2. Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, drop a tablespoon of the batter at a time into the skillet and fry the tomato fritters on both sides until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
Tarragon-Lemon Aioli
This bright aioli is fantastic served with asparagus, or other grilled or sautéed spring veggies!
Ingredients:
1 shallot, peeled and minced
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Method:
1. Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth; transfer to a small bowl. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
Spring Greens Salad
Featuring arugula and chives, this bright and fresh salad is our go-to side salad for pretty much any meal!
Ingredients:
1 head of Romaine lettuce
1 head butter lettuce
1 bunch arugula
1-2 cups microgreens, such as pea and sunflower shoots
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped dill
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded, and sliced
1 medium avocado
For the dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Pinch of sea salt
Several grinds black pepper
1 small clove of garlic, minced
Method:
1. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic in the bottom of a salad bowl.
2. Wash the greens and dry very well. Tear into bite-sized pieces over dressing. Do not toss. Wash herbs and spin dry. Add to top of lettuce. Add sliced cucumber slices on top.
3. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for several hours. Just before serving, peel and slice avocado and add to greens. Toss gently, but well, and serve.
Plum Compote
This delectable compote is delicious spooned over yogurt, ice cream, even waffles or pancakes!
Ingredients:
3-4 plums, seeds removed and quartered
1 orange
3 tablespoons high-quality maple syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cardamom
Pinch kosher salt
Method:
1. Squeeze the juice from the orange into a medium skillet, then add the maple syrup, spices and salt. Set heat to medium and gently stir mixture until sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to gently simmer (adjusting heat as needed) for about 5 minutes, then add quartered plums.
2. Continue to let the mixture simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the plums are tender, but still maintain their shape. If the liquid appear more watery than syrupy, remove plums with a slotted spoon and continue to simmer the liquid until a slightly syrupy texture is achieved, then pour over plums. Allow compote to cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container. Refrigerate if not using right away.
Summer Vegetable Paella
This recipe is so versatile: Try it with different vegetables, add in protein like this week’s chorizo sausage, or even cook it on the grill!
Ingredients:
2 cups paella rice
4 cups chicken stock
¼ cup olive oil
3 large garlic cloves
1 sweet onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 pound tomatoes, seeded and cut into wedges
2 bell peppers, preferably 1 orange and 1 yellow, seeded and thinly sliced
2 zucchini, quartered and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons pimentón
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Put the tomato wedges in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let sit while the rest of the paella is prepared.
2. In a large paella pan, skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic to the pot and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
3. Add the onions, peppers and zucchini to the pot, along with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until veggies are just tender. Add the pimentón and rice to the pot. Sauté for a minute and then add 1 teaspoon salt and the stock to the pot, plus more water to cover, as necessary. Bring to a boil and let cook for 3 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once most of the stock is absorbed, turn off the heat and add the tomatoes. Cover and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve warm.
Variations: Traditional paella is often served with cubed chicken, chorizo or even shellfish mixed in; pick your favorites and add the protein alongside with the vegetables in step 3 above (if using shellfish, add during the last 5 minutes of simmering in step 4). Feel free to substitute or add in any other summer vegetable, such as eggplant or this week’s broccolini. Also, if it’s too hot to stand over the stove, cook your paella in a skillet on the grill!