Cozy Comforts Recipes
Along with busy days and festive nights, December has brought with it a continuation of November’s wet and windy weather. Accordingly, this week’s lineup invites you to sit down to a cozy, comfy supper after a damp day with risotto crafted with earthy Chanterelle mushrooms, herb-kissed fromage blanc and a truffle, sea salt and Parmesan blend topping, plus soft, chewy focaccia bread and a beautiful Washington red wine. Also accompanied by Lollipop radishes, Chioggia radicchio, leeks, Brussels sprouts and beautiful garden-grown herbs, this box will do wonders to ward off any rainy day blues (as will a glass of heirloom blueberry juice!).
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto with Fromage Blanc
Creamy and delicious, this recipe is a favorite here at the farm—just remember to stir!
Fresh Radicchio, Fennel & Apple Salad
Tart, crunchy and crisp, this cool salad celebrates the classic combination of fennel and radicchio.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Buttered Breadcrumbs
Topped with buttery, golden brown breadcrumbs, these Brussels sprouts are the epitome of comfort food.
Oven-Roasted Leeks
Seasoned with salt and pepper, roasted leeks make for a satisfying side dish.
Lemon-Olive Oil Custard
Ready in 10 minutes, this thick, creamy custard makes for a stunningly-simple dessert.
Mushroom Risotto with Roasted Squash
Mixed with our own duxelles and sautéed mushrooms, then topped with roasted squash, this creamy and delicious risotto is a favorite here at the farm.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (can use a mixture)
1 cup duxelles
¼ cup grated Grana cheese
2 cups cubed and roasted Black Futsu squash
1 cup Hedgehog mushrooms, sautéed in butter
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large saucepan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice, stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
3. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine (if using) and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, the duxelles and grated Grana until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add generous helpings of the roasted squash and sautéed mushrooms to each portion of risotto, and sprinkle with fresh parsley and a grating of Grana-style cheese before serving.
