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.
Red Radish Spread with Fresh Herbs
This cool, creamy spread is wonderful slathered atop slices of bread for a starter or a mid-afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
1 bunch radishes
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 8-ounce block cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons crème fraîche
Zest of 1 lemon
Cracked black pepper
Flaked sea salt
Baguette bread, sliced
Method:
1. Clean, trim, and thinly slice the radishes. Place in a bowl and add the parsley, dill, and chives.
2. In another bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the lemon zest, pepper, and crème fraîche or sour cream. Mix well.
3. Add the radish-herb mixture to the creamy spread and gently combine. Spread on toasted bread slices and garnish with sea salt and serve.
Garlic-Herb Patty Pan Squash
So simple, so flavorful: These summer beauties are excellent served over grilled crostini, tossed into pastas, or scattered over pizza.
Ingredients:
1 pound Patty Pan squash, washed and halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped herbs of your choice, such as parsley and basil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil until shimmering, then add in summer squash and garlic. Cook, tossing frequently until squash is tender and soft, and garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and season generously with salt and pepper, then toss with fresh herbs.
Classic Basil Pesto
Toss it on pasta, add it to salad dressings, drizzle over heirloom tomatoes—the possibilities are endless with this classic sauce!
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh basil leaves (from about 3 large bunches)
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
⅓ cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
½ cup freshly grated Grana-style cheese
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Method:
1. Combine basil, pine nuts, cheese and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down any basil caught on the sides of the bowl. Then, with the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt, and then transfer to a small bowl.
