Slow-Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
Slow-roasting these beautiful tomatoes concentrates their unique flavor—try these with a drizzle of pesto!
Ingredients:
1 pound heirloom tomatoes
2 tablespoons ultra-fine sugar
1 tablespoons green peppercorns
Good quality olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Cut off the stem end of the tomato and then slice it into approximately ½-inch slices. When all the tomatoes are sliced, place them on a rimmed sheet pan and brush or drizzle olive oil over each tomato slice.
2. Mix the sugar and the salt together. Sprinkle some of the sugar/salt mixture on each tomato. In a mortar, grind the peppercorns until very crushed but not totally pulverized, then sprinkle over tomatoes.
3. Put the pan of tomatoes into a 175° oven for about 3 hours until caramelized.
Pickled Ramps
A lovely way to preserve and enjoy these rare spring ramps for weeks to come.
Ingredients:
8 ounces ramps
2 dried red chiles
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 cup white wine vinegar
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Method:
1. Trim greens from ramps; reserve for another use—like pesto! Pack bulbs into a heatproof 1-pint jar along with dried red chiles, bay leaves, fennel seeds and black peppercorns.
2. Bring white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve. Pour over ramps to cover. Seal jar. Let cool, then chill.
Chilled Cherries with Mint & Lime
Sweet cherries meet bright lime and cooling mint in this effortless summer dessert. Light, refreshing, and full of fresh flavor, it’s the perfect way to end the meal.
Ingredients:
2 cups sweet cherries, pitted and halved
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons fresh mint, thinly sliced
Method:
1. Combine the cherries, lime zest, lime juice, and honey in a bowl.
2. Toss gently and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with fresh mint just before serving and enjoy chilled.
Salami, Apple & Endive Bites
Fresh, savory, and just a touch sweet—this simple, no-cook appetizer is perfect for grazing before the Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients:
1 Belgian endive, leaves separated
1 crisp apple, cored and sliced into wedges
8–12 thin slices Norcino salami
Honey, for drizzling
Freshly cracked black pepper
Method:
1. Arrange endive leaves on a serving platter. Add an apple wedge to each leaf. Fold or cut salami slices into bite-size pieces and place one on top of each apple slice. Drizzle lightly with honey and finish with black pepper if desired.
Potato-Leek Soup
This classic Julia Child recipe is always a home run; serve this with slices of this week’s Beecher’s cheese bread.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound baby red potatoes, peeled and cut in half if on the larger side
3 large leeks (1 pound), cleaned and thinly sliced
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup crème fraîche
â…“ cup minced parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large (6-plus quart) stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leek and potato. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have begun to soften and brown slightly, about 5-10 minutes (time will vary greatly depending on the surface area of the bottom of your pot).
2. Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Blend until smooth, either using an immersion blender or by carefully transferring to a blender in batches.
4. Add the cream, and season to taste with salt and lemon juice.
5. Ladle into bowls, and garnish with a dollop of crème fraîche and a healthy sprinkling of minced parsley.
Grilled Asparagus with Classic Gremolata
This healthy, easy dish is a classic way to serve asparagus in the Italian region of Lombardy—and it only takes a few minutes to put together.
Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon zest
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Method:
1. To make the gremolata, finely chop the garlic, parsley and lemon zest together on a cutting board until well combined. Transfer to a bowl. (You can prepare the gremolata an hour or two before you cook the asparagus.)
2. Steam or boil the asparagus in salted water until tender, four to five minutes. Remove from the heat, and toss with the gremolata. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix together the lemon juice and olive oil, and drizzle over the asparagus. Serve hot or warm.
Garlic Scape Pesto
A bright, garlicky twist on classic pesto, this seasonal spread makes the most of fresh garlic scapes—perfect for tossing with pasta, spooning over grilled vegetables, or spreading on sandwiches.
Ingredients:
1 cup (about 8-10) chopped garlic scapes
1/3 cup toasted walnuts or pine nuts
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Juice of ½ lemon (more to taste)
½ cup olive oil (plus more as needed)
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the garlic scapes and nuts until finely chopped. Add the Parmesan and lemon juice, and pulse again to combine. With the motor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. Add more oil if needed for a thinner consistency. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice if desired.
Zucchini Blossom Frittata
A rustic garden dish that celebrates the fleeting charm of summer blossoms.
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
¼ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 baby zucchini, thinly sliced into rounds
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
½ cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan
8–10 fresh zucchini blossoms, stems removed and gently opened
Optional garnish: fresh basil, chive blossoms, or microgreens
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl with the cream, salt, and pepper until light and frothy. Stir in the grated cheese and set aside.
2. In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the zucchini rounds and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden. Pour the egg mixture over the sautéed vegetables, gently swirling the pan so everything distributes evenly. Let cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes, until the edges just begin to set. Carefully arrange the zucchini blossoms on top, pressing them slightly into the eggs. Continue to cook on the stove for another 2 minutes, or until the frittata is set around the edges but still jiggly in the center.
3. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the frittata is fully set and lightly puffed. If using the broiler, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully, until the top is just golden and cooked through. Let the frittata rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Maple-Ginger Winter Squash
You’ll love this unique flavor combination!
Ingredients:
1 winter squash of your choice, such as this week’s Black Futsu squash
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 heaping tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350° Half the squash and remove the seeds. Then, cut into wedges. Place in baking dish.
2. Melt butter in small dish. Stir in ginger and maple syrup. Using a brush, spread mixture over squash wedges. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until squash is cooked through and crisp on edges.
Buttered Radishes with Poached Eggs
Tender radishes and shallots are topped with a silky poached egg for the perfect finish.
Ingredients:
1 bunch radishes
1 tablespoon butter
2 shallots, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon assorted chopped herbs, such as parsley, chives and thyme
2 large slices of toasted bread
2 eggs
Sea salt
Method:
1. In a skillet, heat butter over medium low heat. Add in the shallots and let cook it begins to soften, 2-3 minutes. Slice radishes in half and add to butter. Season well with salt. Cover and let cook until radishes are tender, 5-6 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
2. While radishes cook, poach the eggs.
3. To serve, place toast on a plate, generously cover with radish mixture, then sprinkle with herbs and top with a poached egg each.