Southwest Flavor Recipes
Nothing perks up the taste buds quite like the flavors of the Southwest, so enjoy the region’s smoky, spicy style this week with fixings for a build-your-own-taco night: Skagit River Ranch’s signature chorizo sausage, locally-crafted whole-wheat tortillas and both our fresh housemade pico de gallo and Southwest Ranch dressing. Accented by radishes, turnips, avocado, limes and even the first strawberries of the season, plus multigrain bread and farm-fresh eggs, this spectacular lineup will do the Southwest proud.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Avocado-Radish Slaw
This creamy-yet-crunchy slaw would be fantastic layered into your taco this week.
Chorizo Scramble
Or, try breakfast burritos this week: Just whip up this spicy scramble and serve it in tortillas with cheese and pico de gallo on top!
Grilled Turnips with Mint & Lime
The combination of mint and lime adds summery appeal to these tender-crisp grilled turnips.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette
A fresh blend of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic adds big flavor to grilled asparagus stalks.
Spring Greens with Butter-Poached Radishes
This earthy salad is beautiful topped with buttery radishes.
Charred Scallion Gremolata
This smoky sauce is wonderful slathered on grilled bread.
Honey-Roasted Pear Salad with Thyme-Apple Verjus Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunner!
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs
4 ripe but firm Bosc pears (about 2 ½ pounds), halved, cored
¼ cup honey
6 cups mixed spring greens, such as this week’s Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, Claytonia and salad mix
6 ounces blue cheese, sliced or coarsely crumbled
½ cup hazelnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
Dressing:
⅓ cup apple verjus
⅓ cup olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Method:
1. To prepare the dressing, whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Scatter thyme sprigs on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the pear halves cut side down on a work surface. Starting ½ -inch from stem and leaving the pear half intact, cut each lengthwise into scant ⅓- to 1/2 -inch-wide slices. Press pear gently to fan slices; place atop thyme sprigs. Drizzle pears with honey; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until pears are tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand on a baking sheet at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
3. Combine the greens in a large bowl. Add a drizzle dressing and toss to coat, adding more to taste. Divide the salad among plates and place a pear half on top of the greens. Garnish salads with cheese; sprinkle with nuts.
Poached Duck Eggs over Sautéed Spring Greens & Hedgehog Mushrooms
These creamy poached eggs are perfectly complemented by flavorful kale rapini, pea shoots and Swiss chard greens.
Ingredients:
4 duck eggs
4 teaspoons vinegar
1 large bunch kale rapini, removed of any tough stem ends, florets reserved and greens roughly chopped
1 large bunch Swiss chard, removed of any tough stem ends and greens roughly chopped
2 cups pea shoots
2 cups Hedgehog mushrooms, trimmed of any tough ends
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Grana-style cheese, grated, and crispy breadcrumbs (optional)
Method:
1. To poach the eggs, half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add a hefty pinch of salt. Meanwhile, crack each egg into it’s own small bowl and add a teaspoon of vinegar to each. Stir the boiling water vigorously with a balloon whisk until you have a whirlpool then immediately (and softly!) slip the egg into the pot. Turn the heat down low, and cook for three minutes. Gently lift eggs out of the pot and drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the rapini greens and florets, pea shoots, Swiss chard greens and mushrooms and cook until all are just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. To serve, add a serving of greens and mushrooms to a plate, and then top with a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper, as needed, and top with grated Grana-style cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, if desired.
