Spaetzle with Fresh Parsley
Simply dressed in butter and parsley, these little dumplings are supremely comforting.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup milk
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch ground pepper
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Method:
1. Mix together flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Beat eggs well, and add alternately with the milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.
2. Transfer dough to a large plastic bag, cutting off one corner to leave an opening the size of a dime. Squeeze out small bits of dough through the open corner, pressing dough through a large holed sieve to create bite-sized dumplings.*
3. Once finished creating the spaetzle, it is time to quickly boil them. Drop a few at a time into a pot of simmering salted water. Cook 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
4. Sauté cooked spaetzle in butter or margarine. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve.
*We’ve had good luck crafting spaetzle by squeezing the dough either through the larger holes of a cheese grater or a metal colander. For either approach, spread out a large piece of parchment paper on a work surface, then, over the parchment, feed the dough through your selected sieve by squeezing it through the cut-corner of a gallon-sized plastic bag. Using a pair of kitchen shears, trim the dumplings into small, 1-inch pieces as they are fed through, letting them drop onto the parchment.
Baked Eggs with Crème Fraîche & Fresh Herbs
These oeufs en cocotte boast a wonderful balance between the rich crème fraîche and the bright parsley and chives.
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
1 cup Farm & Larder crème fraîche
Pinch nutmeg
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Season the crème fraîche with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
3. Place a heaped tablespoon of crème fraîche in the bottom of a small individual ramekin or custard cup*, followed by a sprinkling of parsley and chives. Crack an egg on top, add a second tablespoon of crème fraîche and sprinkle with an additional pinch each of salt, pepper and nutmeg. Repeat with remaining ramekins.
4. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set to your liking. Finish each serving with additional chopped herbs.
*This dish can also be made in a large baking dish, or even in a few smaller baking dishes. Spread a thin layer of cheese and herbs on bottom, carefully crack eggs and space out evenly, then dollop additional cheese and add water as directed above.
Shaved Turnip & Pea Shoot Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
This salad celebrates the fresh flavors of spring with crisp turnips, tender pea shoots, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
3-4 medium-sized turnips, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups fresh pea shoots
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
For the Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette – olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced turnips, fresh pea shoots, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint leaves, and chopped parsley.
3. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Baked Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche & Fresh Herbs
These oeufs en cocotte boast a wonderful balance with rich crème fraîche, plus bright parsley and chives.
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
1 cup Farm & Larder crème fraîche
8 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Season the crème fraîche with salt and freshly ground pepper.
3. Place a heaped tablespoon of crème fraîche in the bottom of a small individual ramekin or custard cup, followed by a sprinkling of parsley and chives. Crack an egg on top, add a second tablespoon of crème fraîche and sprinkle with an additional pinch each of salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining ramekins.
4. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set to your liking. Finish each serving with a helping of smoked salmon and additional chopped herbs.
Fresh Pasta with Italian Sausage, Burst Tomatoes & Crème Fraîche
This simple pasta celebrates the best flavors of summer with juicy tomatoes, savory Italian sausage, fragrant basil, and a silky crème fraîche sauce that comes together in minutes.Â
Ingredients:
1 pound Lagana Foods fresh pasta
1 package Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage, casings removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups tomatoes, halved or chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup Bella Luna Crème Fraîche
¼ cup Farm & Larder chicken stock
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fresh pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into bite-sized pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in the green onions and garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook just until they begin to soften and release their juices, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the chicken stock and crème fraîche until smooth. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Toss in the cooked pasta and basil, stirring gently until everything is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan and plenty of toasted fig and walnut sourdough on the side.
English Shelling Peas with Parsley Compound Butter & Mint
This beautiful spring side is accented by stewed pearl onions, fresh Romaine and bright mint.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups freshly-shelled English peas
6-8 pearl onions
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup thinly-sliced baby Romaine
3 tablespoons fresh mint
1 tablespoon Farm & Larder parsley compound butter, at room temperature
Method:
1. To peel onions, trim root ends of onion, and drop in a stockpot of cold water. Season with salt. Bring water to a boil, quickly blanching onions until just tender, about 1 minute. Strain and rinse onions with cold water. Gently squeeze the pointed, non-root tip of each onion, the tender flesh will pop right out.
2. Bring chicken broth to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add peas and onions and simmer until peas are heated through, and onions begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
3. Add in Romaine lettuce and fresh mint. Toss to coat with parsley compound butter. Season with salt as needed.
Fresh Mafaldine Pasta with Sautéed Porcini Mushrooms
Also rich with chicken stock and herbs, this pasta beautifully captures the flavors of mellow, earthy mushrooms.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh Mafaldine pasta
4 cups Porcini mushrooms, washed and patted dry
¼ cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided in half
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup combined fresh chopped parsley, sage and thyme
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
¼ cup grated Grana-style cheese
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Drop in pasta noodles and cook until al dente, about 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and rinse, reserving ½ cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
2. Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter with the olive oil over medium heat, stirring to combine. Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté 2-3 minutes until mushrooms are soft and tender and then add chicken stock and cook until reduced slightly, another 3-4 minutes. Add in fresh herbs and season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Add in the drained pasta and toss. Add in reserved 1 tablespoon of butter and grated cheese, and mix to distribute. If pasta seems dry, add in reserved cooking liquid 1 tablespoon at a time until adequately moist. To serve, add some grated Grana cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.
Grilled Asparagus & Potatoes with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
Tossed with fresh parsley and lemon vinaigrette, this spring side boasts a lovely smokiness from the grill.
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus stalks, trimmed of tough ends
1 pound fingerling potatoes, washed, scrubbed and cut in half
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup preserved lemon vinaigrette (see recipe)
¼ cup freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat a charcoal or gas grill, brush grate lightly with olive oil. On a large sheet pan, spread out asparagus and potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Over medium heat, grill asparagus and potato halves (cut side down) until tender and just slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes, turning and flipping as needed.
3. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Toss with the preserved lemon vinaigrette and fresh parsley, seasoning with more salt and pepper, as needed.
Crisp Cucumber & Cherry Tomato Salad
This cool side is tossed with spring onions, a medley of herbs and our blood orange-white balsamic vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
1 slicing cucumber, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, washed and sliced in half
½ cup spring onion, thinly-sliced into rounds
4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Farm & Larder white balsamic-blood orange vinaigrette
Fresh cracked pepper
Method:
1. Toss cucumber pieces, cherry tomato halves and sweet onion slices in a large bowl along with fresh herbs.
2. Drizzle with about ½ cup of the vinaigrette, adding more to taste, and combine all ingredients, allowing to sit for a few minutes for flavor to meld. Season with fresh cracked pepper as desired.
Panzanella Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil
This flavorful salad is a wonderful way to use up the odds and ends from this week’s Niçoise.
Ingredients:
½ loaf of crusty bread, sliced and cut into 1-inch cubes
2-3 tablespoons olive oil, plus an additional 2 tablespoons to drizzle over salad
2 heirloom tomatoes, chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1-2 tablespoons shallot, thinly sliced
¼ cup Parmesan, broken into small chunks
1 pinch red pepper flakes if desired
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat a large heavy sauté pan over medium-high heat, adding 2-3 tablespoons olive oil. Once oil is hot, add bread cubes and toss to coat and toast evenly on all sides, seasoning generously with salt and pepper, until brown. (Depending on the size of your pan, you may need to toast croutons in batches.
2. Combine tomatoes, minced garlic, Parmesan and shallot in a large serving bowl. Add red pepper flakes and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and an additional 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add in bread croutons, toss, and allow to sit for 15 minutes for flavors to marry. Serve garnished with fresh basil, parsley and mint.