Sauteed Spring Vegetables
Lightly sautéed in butter and kissed with lemon juice, these crisp spring vegetables are wonderful served atop this week’s risotto.
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
½ bunch rainbow baby carrots, trimmed of greens, then peeled and trimmed into 2-inch matchsticks
4 baby leeks, trimmed of root and tough green ends and thinly sliced
3 shallots, trimmed of root ends and thinly sliced
1 cup pea vines, sliced into 1-inch pieces
2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and then add the asparagus and carrot pieces, tossing to coat. Continue to sauté for 6-8 minutes until veggies are just slightly softened.
2. Add in the minced leeks and shallots and continue to cook an additional 3-4 minutes until leeks and shallots are translucent. Add in pea vines and stir until vines just start to wilt. Season the entire dish with salt and pepper and squeeze lemon juice over top. Remove from heat and serve atop this week’s risotto.
Grilled Spring Onions with Lemon & Thyme
This recipe elevates green onions from garnish to a stunning side dish.
Ingredients:
4-6 spring onions, trimmed of roots and tough outer ends, and rinsed
1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
- Heat the grill to high. Place onions on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil to coat. Squeeze the juice of half the lemon over the top then sprinkle with the pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. Toss again to spread out the seasonings.
Grill onions until the whites are soft and the tops go brown. Remove from the grill and squeeze a little more lemon juice over top and garnish with the thyme.
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.
Fried Duck Eggs Over Roasted Fall Vegetables
Shake up your breakfast routine with this hearty, healthy vegetable hash!
Ingredients:
1 pound Huckleberry gold potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups carrots, peeled, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed of fronds and root ends and sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for frying the eggs
4 duck eggs
1 teaspoon finely-chopped thyme
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
2. Using your fingers, toss the vegetables with the oil, salt and thyme in a bowl and then transfer to the baking sheet.
3. Put the vegetables in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Flip them gently with a spatula and continue to roast until the vegetables are browned and crispy, another 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmery. Carefully crack 1 duck egg and drop into the pan, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Fry until whites are set and crispy around the edges, but yolk is still runny, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with remaining eggs.
5. Remove vegetables from the oven and top each individual serving with a fried duck egg.
Variation: This hash is extremely versatile: Clean out the crisper and use any vegetables you have on hand!
Grilled Vegetable Salad
Tossed with a balsamic dressing, this gorgeous salad pairs well with protein hot off the grill.
Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 small or one medium summer squash, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
1 bunch spring onions, trimmed of root ends
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1 red pepper, seeded and cut into quarters lengthwise
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, cut into a thin chiffonade
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
For the dressing:
½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
2. Combine all the vegetables in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Carefully lay out all the vegetables on the rack and grill until all are tender and slightly charred, pulling off vegetables as they are done. (Some will cook quicker than others.)
3. Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together in a small bowl. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
4. Remove vegetables from grill; cool slightly. Cut any larger vegetables into 1-inch pieces. Arrange vegetables on a large serving platter and toss gently with the reserved vinaigrette. Garnish with the basil leaves and pine nuts; serve either warm or at room temperature.
Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar
Tossed with fresh thyme, parsley and butter, plus a splash of balsamic vinegar, this recipe works well with any number of root vegetables.
Ingredients:
2 cups Chantenay carrots, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups parsnips, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup purple Daikon radish, trimmed of greens, then scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon finely-chopped thyme
1 tablespoon freshly-chopped parsley
1 tablespoon butter
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°.
2. Using your fingers, toss the vegetables with the oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and then transfer to a baking sheet.
3. Place the vegetables in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Flip them gently with a spatula and continue to roast until the vegetables are browned and crispy, another 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Transfer vegetables to a large serving bowl and add in fresh thyme, parsley and butter, tossing to coat, then drizzle the dish with balsamic vinegar. Taste for seasoning and add additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm.
Stir-Fried Spring Vegetables with Chile, Garlic & Ginger
Serve this colorful stir-fry alongside potstickers and steamed rice for an easy dinner.
Ingredients:
1 pound baby bok choy, cored and roughly chopped
½ pound mushrooms, such as Cinnamon Cap, washed and trimmed
1 cup thinly-sliced radishes
2-3 scallions, trimmed of root ends and chopped
1 leek, trimmed of root and tough green ends, and chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable or safflower oil
1 red or green jalapeño, thinly sliced (remove ribs and seeds for less heat)
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
6 tablespoons water
Soy sauce
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the jalapeño, garlic and ginger, stirring frequently, until softened about 1 minute.
2. Add the baby bok choy, mushrooms, radishes, leek and scallions, then the water; cover and cook until vegetables are tender, 2-3 minutes. Uncover and sauté until any remaining liquid evaporates.
3. Splash vegetables with soy sauce to taste and serve.
Spring Vegetable Frittata
Packed with purple potatoes, sweet mini peppers, leeks and spinach, this easy frittata boasts incredibly fresh flavor.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
5 small purple potatoes, washed and thinly-sliced
4 sweet mini peppers, washed, seeded and chopped
2 leeks, trimmed and thinly-sliced
1 cup spinach leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces
½ cup mustard greens, torn into bite-size 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, mustard greens 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.
Variation: For added bite, try adding ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese to the egg mixture and then bake as directed.
Roasted Root Vegetables
This simple, satisfying recipe works well with any number of root vegetables—use whatever you have in your crisper!
Ingredients:
2 cups carrots, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups parsnips, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups rutabagas, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cauliflower, scrubbed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
2. Using your fingers, toss the vegetables with the oil and a large pinch of sea salt in a bowl and then transfer to baking sheet.
3. Put the vegetables in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Flip them gently with a spatula and continue to roast until the vegetables are browned and crispy, another 10 to 20 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.
Spring Risotto
This bright risotto showcases beautiful spring vegetables and hearty Arborio rice—just remember to keep stirring!
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups warm chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ shallot, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
1¼ cups grated Parmesan or Grana-style cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
4 cups Sautéed Spring Vegetables (see recipe)
Method:
1. 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 garlic until soft but not brown.
2. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
3. 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.
4. Stir in the remaining butter and grated cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the sautéed spring vegetables and parsley, serve immediately.