Risotto with Spring Peas & Morel Mushrooms
This recipe is a favorite here at the farm. Creamy and delicious, it pairs well with steak, chicken, pork or can stand well on its own as the star of your meal—just remember to stir!
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm chicken stock
1 ½ cups shelled peas
1 ½ cups sautéed morel mushrooms
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
1 ¼ cup grated Tomme or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Method:
1. In a sauce pan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown.
3. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
4. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
5. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
6. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring – repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
7. Stir in the remaining butter, mushrooms, peas and grated Tomme until melted.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional cheese, if desired.
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Spring Risotto with Morel Mushrooms
Creamy and delicious, this farm favorite is freshened up by locally-foraged morels and roasted veggies.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm Farm & Larder chicken stock
1 cup morel mushrooms, washed and patted dry
8 tablespoons butter
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onion
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 cup grated Grated-style cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley
Roasted Spring Vegetables (see recipe)
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. Set another large saucepan over medium low heat, then melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown. Add garlic and morel mushrooms and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Once morels are soft, remove to a plate.
3. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice to the pan with garlic and onion. Stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine (if using) and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender (this process usually takes 20-25 minutes).
4. Stir in the remaining butter, mushrooms, and grated cheese until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and additional cheese, if desired, and top with roasted spring vegetables.
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Signs of Spring Recipes
Though our days continue to be drippy, the gardens are finally beginning to show signs of new life as the first of the shelling peas, mint and microgreens are now gracing us with their presence. Thus, spring fare takes center stage in this week’s box, too, with fresh semolina pasta, pain au levain bread and locally-crafted sharp cheddar cheese all helping to accent a bevy of produce that includes red cabbage rapini, romanesco and baby Japanese turnips. Crack open a bright Spanish white wine, pop a juicy apple cake into the oven and enjoy the first taste of the season!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Gemelli Pasta with Shelled Peas, Lemon & Mint
Adapted from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, this light and lovely pasta recipe sings of spring.
Chilled Pea Soup
Cooking the peas briefly retains their vibrant color, while the addition of fresh herbs keeps the finished soup tasting bright.
Shelled Pea Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
This bright salad is beautifully balanced by fresh mint and Marcona almonds.
Butter-Braised Turnips with Greens & Baby Shiitake Mushrooms
Simmered in rich chicken stock, this dish is finished with lemon juice and thyme for fresh appeal.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Buttered Breadcrumbs
Topped with buttery, golden brown breadcrumbs, these Brussels sprouts are the epitome of comfort food.
Arugula Pesto
This bright, flavorful pesto is wonderful drizzled over this week’s chilled pea soup or pea and mint pasta main!
F&L Apple Cake
Moist and incredibly flavorful, this cake comes together in just minutes!
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Baby Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
Topped with sautéed mushrooms, this creamy and delicious risotto is a favorite here at the farm.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (can use a mixture)
¼ cup grated Grana cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 cups baby Shiitake mushrooms, sautéed in butter
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large saucepan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice, stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
3. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine (if using) and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter and grated Grana until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a generous helping of sautéed mushrooms to each portion of risotto, and sprinkle with fresh parsley and a grating of Grana-style cheese before serving.
Variation: Give this risotto a springtime twist by adding coarsely-chopped pea shoots, blanched peas and crispy pancetta as well!
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Wild Ramp-Lemon Risotto with Morel Mushrooms
This bright risotto showcases beautiful spring ramps and foraged Morel mushrooms.
Ingredients:
1 quart F&L chicken stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 cup sliced ramps, thoroughly cleaned and the white and green parts divided
1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup Morel mushrooms, sautéed lightly in butter
¼ cup dry white wine
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
½-¾ cup Grana-style cheese, for grating
Sea salt and fresh black pepper
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, add one tablespoon butter and the sliced white portion of the ramps and sweat for two minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice, stir for about one minute. Next, add the dry white wine to the rice and cook until it has completely evaporated, then add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
3. Add another ladleful of stock and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice, lemon zest. Stir in the ramp greens and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Finally, grate cheese into the risotto and gently give the risotto one or two stirs to incorporate. Serve immediately.
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Poached Duck Eggs over Sautéed Spring Greens & Hedgehog Mushrooms
These creamy poached eggs are perfectly complemented by flavorful kale rapini, pea shoots and Swiss chard greens.
Ingredients:
4 duck eggs
4 teaspoons vinegar
1 large bunch kale rapini, removed of any tough stem ends, florets reserved and greens roughly chopped
1 large bunch Swiss chard, removed of any tough stem ends and greens roughly chopped
2 cups pea shoots
2 cups Hedgehog mushrooms, trimmed of any tough ends
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Grana-style cheese, grated, and crispy breadcrumbs (optional)
Method:
1. To poach the eggs, half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add a hefty pinch of salt. Meanwhile, crack each egg into it’s own small bowl and add a teaspoon of vinegar to each. Stir the boiling water vigorously with a balloon whisk until you have a whirlpool then immediately (and softly!) slip the egg into the pot. Turn the heat down low, and cook for three minutes. Gently lift eggs out of the pot and drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the rapini greens and florets, pea shoots, Swiss chard greens and mushrooms and cook until all are just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. To serve, add a serving of greens and mushrooms to a plate, and then top with a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper, as needed, and top with grated Grana-style cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, if desired.
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Sautéed Baby Shiitake Mushrooms with Pea Vines and Garlic
This incredibly simple recipe boasts just the right amount of spice, courtesy of red pepper flakes and garlic.
Ingredients:
2 cups baby Shiitake mushrooms, washed and sliced in half if large
1 bunch pea vines, any thick stems removed and torn into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons canola, vegetable or olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chile flakes and garlic and cook, tossing, until garlic is barely golden, about 30 seconds.
2. Add pea shoots and mushrooms and cook, tossing often, until pea stems are crisp-tender and leaves are just wilted and the mushrooms are soft and golden, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and serve.
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How-To: Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms
Follow these simple steps to reconstitute the beautiful mushrooms for this week’s risotto.
Ingredients:
Dried wild mushrooms
Tools:
Medium saucepan
Handheld strainer
2-3 cups warm water, stock or wine
Method:
1. Place mushrooms in a medium saucepan. (Dried mushrooms will reconstitute to 6-8 times their dry weight.)
2. Cover mushrooms with warm water, stock or wine. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Allow to soak in liquid for at least 15-20 minutes; gradually the mushrooms will begin to soak in moisture and plump.
3. Drain mushrooms of liquid with the strainer. Reserve the flavorful soaking liquid for use in soup, stocks and more! Briefly sauté the reconstituted mushrooms in a little butter or olive oil, add a splash of white wine if desired, add salt and pepper to taste, and then use according to your recipe.
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Asparagus & Pea Risotto with Mint
One of two risotto ideas this week, this recipe is bright with asparagus, peas and mint.
Ingredients:
1 bunch asparagus stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
2-3 cups freshly-shelled English peas
8 tablespoons butter
1½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ shallot, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
â…” cup freshly-grated Grana-style cheese
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, minced
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then drop in asparagus and quickly blanch for about 2 minutes until asparagus pieces are bright green and just tender (you want them to still have a little bite, so watch closely.) Remove from pot, and place in an ice bath to stop cooking. Pat dry and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a sauce pan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the shallots until soft but not brown.
3. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
4. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring; repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
5. Stir in the remaining butter and season with salt and pepper to taste. Then add the peas and asparagus to the pan. Allow to heat through, then add the cheese and mint. Stir to combine and serve immediately.
Variation: This risotto is also lovely topped with an olive-oil fried egg.
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Pan-Roasted Corn & Baby Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
This beautifully-fragrant risotto makes delicious use of bright summer corn.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
3 cups fresh corn kernels
1 cup baby Shiitake mushrooms, washed and trimmed
5 cups F&L chicken stock
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 French red shallots, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
¼ cup freshly-grated Grana-style cheese
3 tablespoons combined freshly-chopped parsley and chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil over moderately high heat. Lower the heat to keep the stock at a low simmer.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in the olive oil. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the corn and mushrooms and cook until all are lightly browned and softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir until the grains are thoroughly coated with fat, 1-2 minutes. Pour in the wine and continue stirring until most of the wine has evaporated.
3. Add 1 cup of the simmering stock to the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring the risotto until the stock is absorbed before adding more; the risotto is done when the rice is just tender and the sauce is creamy, about 20 minutes. Stir in the cheese, herbs and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Season with salt and pepper and serve at once.
Variation: This risotto is also delicious topped with crispy chopped bacon!
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