Pear Sauce
This lovely sauce is amazing on top of freshly-baked scones, or enjoyed with your morning oatmeal.
Ingredients:
4-6 D’Anjou pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
1. Combine pears, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pears have softened, about 20 minutes.
2. Use an immersion blender to process the pear sauce until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, mash with a potato masher. (You can also transfer the cooked pear mixture to a food processor or blender to process, just make sure the pear sauce has cooled down first.)
3. Once the pear sauce has cooled down, pour into glass or plastic containers. Cover and store in the refrigerator, sauce will keep in the fridge for one week.
Lemon Crème Fraîche
This versatile concoction can be used as a salad vinaigrette atop spring greens, or spread over Jewish Rye toasts with this week’s smoked salmon.
Ingredients:
1 cup crème fraîche
¼ cup lemon juice, plus the zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped herbs, such as parsley and mint
Method:
1. Whisk together the crème fraîche, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pistou
This incredibly-flavorful sauce is the perfect accent to this week’s rustic stew.
Ingredients:
1 cup stemmed basil leaves
¼ cup chopped tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon pine nuts, lightly toasted
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a food processor, combine the basil, tomatoes, garlic and pine nuts. Pulse to chop, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
2. Once all the ingredients are evenly chopped, run the processor and drizzle in the olive oil in a slow stream. Once the oil is incorporated, stop the processor and season the pistou with salt and pepper to taste. The pistou will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for several days.
Mediterranean Favorites Recipes
The light and bright flavors of Greece lend themselves beautifully to this week’s box as luscious produce like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, peppers and zucchini begin their summer ripening. Take advantage of this bounty with a menu starring our signature chicken stock, organic chicken breasts and rice to incorporate into a traditional Avgolemono soup, plus pepperoncini, Kalamata olives and sheep’s milk feta to use in a Greek village salad. A fresh Kalamata olive loaf and a bevy of seasonal fruit complete this feast of Mediterranean delights.
Here are a few recipes ideas for the week:
Tzatziki Sauce
This signature Greek condiment is wonderful served with this week’s Kalamata olive bread.
Avgolemono Soup
This classic Greek country soup is flavored with fresh lemons and rich chicken stock.
Braised Carrots with Feta & Fresh Mint
This gorgeous side dish is freshened up with creamy feta and fragrant mint.
Greek Village Salad
The classic Mediterranean salad, tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta.
Roasted Golden Beets & Carrots with White Balsamic Dressing
This colorful dish is tossed with a slightly-sweet dressing anchored by fresh garlic scapes.
Buttered New Potatoes with Fresh Herbs
This simple recipe from Ina Garten brings out the buttery flavor of new potatoes.
Black Currant Sauce
This rich, luscious sauce is fantastic served with salmon or other grilled protein!
Grilled Apricots with Almond Whipped Cream
Drizzled with honey and topped with toasted almonds, these apricots are simply-stunning for dessert.
