Pepper, Fennel & Onion Relish
Jimmy Nardello peppers lends themselves perfectly to this classic trio—an excellent condiment-style topping for sandwiches, scrambled eggs or even crostini!
Ingredients:
4 Jimmy Nardello peppers, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed and coarsely chopped
1 red or yellow onion, peeled and chopped
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Toss together all ingredients with ½ teaspoon salt in a large shallow baking pan. Broil 4 inches from heat until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Turn over and stir, then broil 8 to 10 minutes more. Serve sprinkled with fennel fronds.
Marinated Cucumber Salad
Super simple and healthy, this salad is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
2 Persian cucumbers
1 red onion
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Peel the cucumbers and then half lengthwise before thinly slicing. Then, peel and thinly slice the onion and place in a bowl with the cucumber.
2. Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and oil in a bowl and whisk together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Pour the vinaigrette over the cucumber and onion mixture and toss well to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1-2 hours before serving cold or at room temperature.
Bacon, Onion & Herb Quiche
Light and bright, with a touch of smokiness courtesy of the bacon, this frittata is bound to be a sure-fire hit.
Ingredients:
1 pie crust, either homemade or store-bought
6 thick slices bacon, diced
3-4 Tropea onions, diced small
6 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Sliced green onions, for topping
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. If you’re using a refrigerated pie crust (store-bought or homemade), add it to your pie plate and keep cold in the fridge until ready to use. If you’re using a frozen pie crust, keep frozen until ready to bake.
2. In a 12-inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan and leave all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet. Add in the onions and sauté in the bacon fat until translucent and lightly browned. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
4. Take out your pie crust and scatter the bacon and onions evenly along the bottom of the pie crust. Gently pour the egg mixture over top of the onions and bacon. Sprinkle the mozzarella and goat cheese into the quiche.
5. Place your quiche onto a baking sheet (this just helps in case of spills) and place it into the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes. (The quiche is done when the middle seems set and the crust edges are browned.) Let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Roasted Fennel & Tropea Onions
These tender, broiled vegetables make for a fantastic side dish.
Ingredients:
3-4 fennel bulbs, trimmed and coarsely chopped, with fennel fronds reserved and finely chopped
4 Tropea onions, peeled and roughly chopped
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Toss together all ingredients except fennel fronds with ½ teaspoon salt in a large shallow baking pan. Broil 4 inches from heat until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Turn over and stir, then broil 8 to 10 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender and browned in spots.
3. Serve sprinkled with fennel fronds.
