Anise Hyssop Lemonade
Sweetened with an anise hyssop simple syrup, this lemonade is incredibly fragrant.
Ingredients:
1 cup anise hyssop simple syrup (recipe follows)
1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2-3 cups water
Anise Hyssop Simple Syrup
1 handful (about 20 leaves) anise hyssop
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Method:
1. To make simple syrup, combine ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Once boiling, remove from heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain anise hyssop solids, and chill syrup until ready to mix lemonade.
2. In a pitcher, pour lemon juice and anise hyssop syrup, adding in 2-3 cups water to taste. Refrigerate and serve over ice with additional sliced lemons.
Pickled Red Onions
Quick-pickled in vinegar, these onions wonderfully complement game day staples like burgers, tacos and of course, chili!
Ingredients:
1 medium red onion
2 tablespoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Pinch sea salt
Pinch dried oregano
Method:
1. Thinly-slice red onion and place in a shallow bowl or jar. Drizzle with vinegar and then pour over water to cover.
2. Add pinches of both salt and oregano, stirring gently to mix. Cover and let onions sit for several hours or overnight in fridge.
Roasted Baby Beet Salad with Rosemary Pecans
Topped with a light vinaigrette and roasted pecans, this salad is both colorful and satisfying.
Ingredients:
Roasted baby red and yellow beets, sliced in half and still warm from the oven (see enclosed recipe)
2-3 cups Mesclun greens, washed and dried
½ cup F&L rosemary pecans
½ cup high-quality olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 small clove garlic, crushed
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. To prepare vinaigrette: Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic together, seasoning with fresh ground pepper to taste.
2. To assemble the salad: Arrange the greens on a large platter and then top with beet slices. Top with roasted pecans, then drizzle with the vinaigrette. Top with additional ground pepper to taste.
Olive Oil Fried Eggs
Olive oil adds extra flavor to these sunny side-up eggs.
Ingredients:
Eggs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmery. Carefully crack 1 egg and drop into the pan, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
2. Fry until whites are set and crispy around the edges, but yolk is still runny, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with as many eggs as you please, adding in additional olive oil as needed.
Garlic & Ginger Green Beans
This zingy preparation will soon be a new favorite.
Ingredients:
1 pound green beans
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Method:
1. Blanch green beans in a large pot of boiling water for 5 minutes until just tender and then drain and cool the beans with a rinse of cold water.
2. In a large sauté pan heat the sesame and olive oils over medium heat until shimmering. Add the ginger root and garlic and sauté for 1 minute until both are soft and fragrant. Add in beans, soy sauce, water and red pepper flakes and cook until the liquid is dissolved. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Grilled Halloumi Kabobs with Sweet Red Peppers
The perfect accompaniment to this week’s baked orzo.
Ingredients:
5 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 sweet red peppers, seeded and sliced into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Wood or metal skewers
Method:
1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. (If using wooden skewers, place in a sheet pan and cover with water, and allow to soak while preparing the other ingredients.)
2. Thread cheese cubes onto the skewers, alternating with the red pepper slices. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil with a dash of salt and pepper, then brush each kabob on both sides with the mixture.
3. Grill each kabob, flipping occasionally, until the cheese is golden and the sweet peppers are softened and slightly charred.
4. Remove kabobs from the grill and transfer to a platter. Drizzle the entire dish with the additional 1 tablespoon olive oil and then sprinkle with the parsley.
Late Summer Vegetable Frittata
Packed with fingerling potatoes, frying peppers and leeks, this easy frittata boasts incredibly fresh flavor.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
1 pint fingerling potatoes, washed and thinly-sliced
4 frying peppers, washed, seeded and chopped
2 leeks, trimmed and thinly-sliced
1 cup spinach leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced potatoes to the skillet and sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes, until tender but firm. Remove from skillet. Add another tablespoon oil, then add the peppers, leeks, spinach and garlic. Sauté for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until the greens are just wilted. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Remove from skillet.
3. In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs and thyme with a pinch of salt and pepper. Return the potatoes to the skillet, arranging in an even layer. Top with vegetable mixture and then pour eggs evenly over the vegetables. Drizzle olive oil around the edge of the pan to ensure easy removal.
4. Transfer to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the eggs have completely set in the center. Serve straight out of the skillet, cut into wedges, or flip onto a serving plate.
Hard-Boiled Quail Eggs
Our no-fail method for perfectly hard-boiled quail eggs.
Tools:
Small saucepan
Water
Slotted spoon
Method:
1. Fill a small saucepan two-thirds full with water and bring to a boil. Add the eggs using a spoon. Do not overcrowd the pan.
2. Boil for 2½ to 5 minutes depending on your preference; at 2½ minutes, the yolks will still be runny and by 5 minutes they will be fully hard-boiled.
3. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and cool down under cold running water or in a bowl filled with ice water. Peel very carefully.
Minted Cucumber Salad
Tossed with extra virgin olive oil and fresh mint, this cool salad is an easy summertime side.
Ingredients:
1-2 English cucumbers, sliced
½-1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
Method:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, salt, olive oil, ground pepper and mint. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and let stand for at least 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature.
Spinach & Cheese Strata
Put this week’s bread loaf to good use with this spinach-kissed breakfast strata.
Ingredients:
10 ounces spinach, washed
1½ cups finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 cups cubed Pain au Levain bread
2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
1 cup finely grated Grana-style cheese
2¾ cups milk
9 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Method:
1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain, pressing with a rubber spatula to release as much liquid as possible.
2. Cook onion in butter in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in spinach, then remove from heat.
3. Spread one third of bread cubes in a buttered 3-quart gratin dish or other shallow ceramic baking dish and top evenly with one third of spinach mixture. Sprinkle with one third of each cheese. Repeat layering twice (ending with cheeses).
4. Whisk together milk, eggs, mustard, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and pour evenly over strata. Chill strata, covered with plastic wrap, at least 8 hours (for bread to absorb custard).
5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Let strata stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.