braised greens | Farm & Larder

Sauteéd Winter Greens with Buttered Baby Leeks

Sublime herb- and cheese-kissed crumbs finish these sautéed greens.

Ingredients:
1 pound braising greens, washed and trimmed of tough stalks
3 baby leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup Panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon grated Grana-style cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Lemon wedges for garnish

Method:
1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large frying pan. When the foaming subsides, add the breadcrumbs and stir constantly over a high heat until crisp and golden. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and the chopped thyme leaves. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and leave to cool, then stir in grated Grana.

2. In the same frying pan, melt the additional 2 tablespoons of butter and add leeks, cooking over medium-low heat until the leeks are soft and almost caramelized. Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, turn heat to medium-high and add in braising greens, sautéing until slightly wilted.

3. Arrange greens and leeks neatly on a warmed serving dish and scatter over the bread crumbs. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

Poached Eggs Over Braised Greens on Multigrain Toast

Fantastic for lunch, brunch, a snack or supper!

Ingredients:
4 eggs
4 teaspoons vinegar
1 pound braising greens, such as spinach or baby kale
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Multigrain bread, sliced and toasted

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 its 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 greens and cook until all are just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

3. To serve, top a piece of multigrain toast with a hearty helping of greens and a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with microgreens.

Comfort Classics

With a few flurries the air and what we hope are the last frigid overnight temps this week, this lineup accordingly invites you to cozy up to a comfy supper starring a risotto crafted with earthy dried Porcini mushrooms, Cherry Valley Dairy fromage blanc, our own white truffle oil and a truffle, sea salt and Parmesan blend topping. Also accompanied by golden beets, purple top baby turnips, iron-rich spinach and beautiful garden-grown herbs, plus Gruyère cheese bread, lemony olives and chocolate-coated almonds, this box will do wonders to ward off any lingering wintertime blues (as will a glass of French white wine!).

Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:

Mushroom Risotto with Fromage Blanc
Creamy and delicious, this recipe is a favorite here at the farm—just remember to stir!

How-To: Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms
Follow these simple steps to reconstitute the beautiful mushrooms for this week’s risotto.

Braised Asian Greens
These tender greens are a great side dish.

Spinach Salad with Apples & Pecans
This fresh salad combines gorgeous spinach and crisp apple slices and is finished with a light Champagne apple cider vinaigrette.

Mashed Turnips & Parsnips
This side dish is rich and comforting, thanks to the combination of turnips, parsnips and fresh herbs.

Braised Asian Greens

These tender greens are a great side dish.

Ingredients:
1 pound braising greens, such as this week’s Asian mix, or your other favorite green such as Collard greens, Swiss chard or kale
½ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt

Method:
1. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the greens and 1 teaspoon salt.

2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add water, and steam, covered, until greens are just tender and water evaporates, about 10 minutes. If greens are ready but there is still water in the pan, raise heat to medium-high, and cook, uncovered, until completely evaporated.