A Taste of France Recipes
Done well, the beginning of a meal is often more memorable than the finish, a delightful first taste that whets the appetite and hints at greater things to come. This week, we are celebrating the art of the appetizer with a bountiful spread inspired by the French countryside: Savory country-style pâté, crunchy cornichon pickles and herbed fromage blanc from Cherry Valley Dairy, plus our own apricot mostarda. Paired with an artisan baguette and an incredible array of summer produce—from heirloom tomatoes and baby artichokes to blueberries and Imperial Epineuse plums—this beautiful first course is satisfying enough to last all evening long!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Charred Scallion Gremolata
This smoky sauce is wonderful slathered on grilled bread.
Oven-Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
Slow-roasting these beautiful tomatoes concentrates their unique flavor—try these alongside this week’s array of appetizers!
Braised Baby Artichokes
Simmered with white wine and chicken stock, these tender artichokes are melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Grilled Turnips with Mint & Lime
The bright combination of mint and lime adds summery appeal to these tender-crisp grilled turnips.
Lemon-Tarragon Aioli
This bright aioli is fantastic served with grilled summer veggies!
Polenta Cake with Plums
This luscious cake is kissed with juicy European plums and citrus peel.
Season to Season Recipes
Swinging from cloudy and drippy to sunny and crisp, the weather has us—and the gardens—towing the line between summer and fall. Luckily, that mercurial forecast also means that we are enjoying produce from both seasons as summery favorites like heirloom tomatoes, zucchini and peppers continue to delight alongside local Chanterelle mushrooms and fresh fettuccine to toss together for a cozy fall supper. Also included: Pain au Levain bread, Asian pears from the orchard and an Italian red wine so you can toast to whatever season is at hand today.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Fettuccine with Sautéed Chanterelle Mushrooms
Rich with locally-foraged mushrooms, chicken stock and herbs, this pasta beautifully captures the flavors of fall.
Chicory Salad with Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette
This light and bright dressing is the perfect compliment to peppery chicory greens.
Sautéed Zucchini with Pancetta & Thyme
This simple recipe from the Homegrown Harvest cookbook is packed with smoky-savory flavor.
Broiled Heirloom Tomatoes
Topped with crispy Panko bread crumbs and Grana-style cheese, these beautiful tomatoes are a worthy supper side.
Braised Baby Artichokes
Simmered with white wine and chicken stock, these baby artichokes are melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Honey-Poached Pears with Crème Fraîche
This lovely dessert from Bon Appetit uses honey to draw out the mellow sweetness of fall pears.
The Perfect Egg Recipes
Creamy and rich, eggs are one of the world’s finest gifts to the cook, delicious scrambled or poached, baked or fried. Thus, this week’s delivery is devoted to the glorious egg, and an extra-special one at that, too, with decadent oversize duck eggs from Oak Meadows Farm. Also filled with an assortment of egg-friendly pairings—asparagus and walnut pesto, fresh spring greens and edible flowers, hearty multigrain bread and aged Grana-style cheese—plus a bevy of recipe ideas, this box will help you cook the perfect egg.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Poached Duck Egg Salad with Crispy Fried Shallots
The lovely runny egg yolk becomes the vinaigrette for this beautiful salad topped with crispy shallots.
Crispy Fried Shallots
These crisp little nibbles are wonderful scattered over salad greens, tucked into burgers or sandwiches or served alongside other antipasti with wine.
Roasted Asparagus with Walnut Pesto & Fried Duck Eggs
This easy sheet pan dish is topped with bright lemon juice and our own walnut pesto.
Grilled Baby Artichokes with Lemon & Walnut Pesto
These petite grilled artichokes are a wonderful appetizer.
Fried Duck Eggs Over Roasted Spring Vegetables
Shake up your breakfast routine with this hearty, healthy vegetable hash!
Tagliatelle Pasta with Grana Fonduta & Broccoli Rabe
The sauce for this delectable creamy pasta is crafted from duck egg yolks, Grana-style cheese and crème fraîche.
Glazed Pearl Onions
The longer these cook, the sweeter and more caramelized they will become.
How-To: Peel Pearl Onions
Master the art of peeling these petite beauties in just a few simple steps.
Grilled Baby Artichokes with Lemon & Walnut Pesto
These petite grilled artichokes are a wonderful appetizer.
Ingredients:
6-8 baby artichokes
2 lemons, halved
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup F&L walnut pesto
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. To prep the artichokes, squeeze the juice from the halved lemons into a large bowl of cold water. Snap off the outer dark green leaves of the artichokes so that the pale greenish-yellow inner leaves are visible, then trim off the top half-inch of each artichoke and cut each in half. Using a small knife, cut out the choke and remove any prickly-tipped leaves from the center of the artichoke half. Drop each trimmed wedge into the lemon water as you go.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drain the artichokes and add to the boiling water. Boil until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer the artichokes to a rack to cool.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, walnut pesto, olive oil, salt and pepper. Brush the artichokes with about half of the dressing, then grill until they are tender and lightly-charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer artichokes to a platter and drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
