German Potato Salad
This ultra-flavorful and satisfying side dish is best served warm.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds fingerling potatoes, such as this week’s German Butterball variety, washed and cubed into 1-inch pieces (no need to peel)
8 bacon slices, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup chicken stock
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Fresh chives, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Bring a medium-sized pot of water seasoned generously with salt, to a boil. Toss in the potatoes and reduce to a simmer, cooking until the potatoes are just barely fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and reserve the potatoes.
2. Coat a large sauté pan lightly with olive oil. Toss in the bacon and bring to medium heat. When the bacon is getting brown and crispy, toss in the onions and cook until they are very soft and aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes ; add the garlic and cook until soft but not browned
3. Add the stock and vinegar. Toss in the cooked potatoes while they are still warm; mix together and cook until the liquid has absorbed into the potatoes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chives and parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Shelled Pea, Red Spring Onion & Sweet Red Pepper Salad
A perfect summer side for grilled proteins and veggies, or even tossed with cold pasta!
Ingredients:
1 pound shelled peas
3 red spring onions, trimmed of ends and finely diced
2 sweet red Bell peppers, seed removed and diced
¼ cup combined chopped herbs, such as parsley, salad burnet, chives and basil
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Vinaigrette:
1 sweet red Bell pepper, roasted at 400° until blackened, then stripped of seeds and chopped
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons crème fraîche
1 small shallot
½ teaspoon salt
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. To prepare vinaigrette, purée the roasted red pepper in a food processor or blender as much as possible, then add the remaining ingredients and run the machine until the dressing is silky smooth. Adjust the vinegar level and seasonings to taste.
2. In a large bowl, combine shelled peas, diced onions and diced pepper. Toss with vinaigrette, then drizzle with the lemon juice. Garnish with the fresh herbs.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Chive Blossoms
This beautiful dish is sure to be a new spring favorite!
Ingredients:
3 pounds fingerling or other small new potato
2 shallots, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces soft mild goat cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Fresh flowering chives, snipped with scissors, for garnish
Method:
1, Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Peel potatoes and cut into ⅛-inch-thick slices with a manual slicer or sharp thin knife. Keep slices in a large bowl of cold water while making sauce.
3. Cook shallots in butter in a small skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Transfer to a blender and purée with milk, cream, cheese, kosher salt to taste, and pepper.
4. Drain potatoes in a large colander and pat dry. Arrange in a buttered 3-quart shallow baking dish in 3 layers, pouring some of sauce over each layer (use all of sauce) and putting best potato slices on top layer. Bake, covered with foil, in lower third of oven. Remove foil after 45 minutes and continue to bake until potatoes are tender, 30 to 45 minutes more. If desired, briefly broil potatoes under preheated broiler until top is golden.
The Italian Spring Recipes
This week’s lineup combines a bevy of fresh spring produce—from bright, vibrant greens to golden beets—with the soulful flavors of Italy, also including soft, pillowy focaccia bread, smoky sun-dried tomato spread and a verdant, leaf-shaped pasta that is begging to star in pasta primavera for supper (see the enclosed recipe suggestions for that one!). Also including fun Italian-style pantry provisions such as salted capers, Piranske Soline Fior di Sale sea salt and soft amaretti cookies with chocolate, this box will transport you abroad, all without leaving your very own kitchen. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Pasta Primavera
This colorful pasta is incredibly versatile—feel free to add in any of your favorite spring veggies!
Fresh Chive Vinaigrette
We like to toss this vibrant, green vinaigrette with fresh spring lettuce and lots of the tender herbs—think celery leaves, mint, chervil, or parsley.
Fava Shoot Salad with Walnuts
This bright and fresh salad shines a spotlight on light, tender, succulent fava greens.
Cara Cara Orange Salad with Escarole & Fennel
This crisp, citrus-kissed salad is both bold in flavor and beautiful in presentation.
Roasted Golden Beets with Balsamic Glaze
Sweet-tart balsamic glaze beautifully complements the mellow flavors of spring beets in this simple side.
