Very Merry Recipes
Pour yourself a glass of wine, invite over a few friends, and cuddle up on the couch to enjoy a festive sampling thanks to this week’s lineup of antipasti-ready bites—think housemade eggplant caponata spooned over crackly crostini, smoky-and spicy crepinette salami, Marcona almonds and imported Italian charcoal parchment crackers, plus wintery produce that ranges from Cara Cara oranges and Brussels sprouts to mixed radicchio and Robin’s Koginut squash. Get ready to mix and match to your heart’s content with this box, which also includes multigrain bread, farm-fresh eggs, and even a petite gingerbread house kit to make it a holly jolly evening indeed.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Cara Cara Orange Compote
Tart, sweet and lively with bright citrus flavor, this compote is excellent served on crostini along with a soft cheese.
Sweet Onion Confit
This buttery-sweet topping is wonderful in sandwiches or even atop crackers.
Kale Salad with Roasted Squash & Apples
Topped with a maple-mustard vinaigrette and candied squash seeds, this salad would pair nicely alongside this week’s antipasti bites.
Candied Squash Seeds
Great for snacking, scattering over salad or serving atop soup!
Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots
This slam-dunk recipe from Domenica Marchetti’s The Glorious Vegetables of Italy makes the best of crisp carrots.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears
This unique flavor combination is accented by salty pistachios.
Snack Time Recipes
Need a little pick-me-up? This week’s box is for you, filled with a beautiful of assortment of late-summer produce—from Snow Giant peaches and Canadice grapes to heirloom tomatoes and yellow carrots—to serve up on alongside such delicious bites as fresh focaccia bread, black truffle and Parmesan potato chips and buttery Marcona almonds. Also accompanied by summer lettuce greens, eggs from the henhouse and a French white wine, this flavorful lineup will perk up your taste buds in no time.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Roasted Grapes with Thyme
These juicy grapes boast an intense flavor, and are wonderful served with a sharp cheese and focaccia bread.
Grilled Peach Salad with Marcona Almonds
With peppery arugula and a red wine vinaigrette, this salad is incredibly bright and fresh.
Sautéed Broccolini
Tangy lemon zest, fresh garlic and creamy butter enhance the natural sweet flavor of broccolini in this recipe from Barefoot Contessa’s Ina Garten.
Carrots Marinated with Garlic & Oregano
This room-temperature dish packs in the flavor and makes for a lovely side dish.
Spicy Heirloom Tomatoes
Topped with sweet corn and a pinch of cayenne pepper, these juicy tomatoes make a wonderful side salad.
Peach Cobbler
It’s hard to beat this classic dessert—just add vanilla ice cream!
Meyer Lemon & Thyme-Infused Olive Oil
A wonderful gift for family, friends and neighbors!
Ingredients:
1-2 cups high-quality olive oil
Small bundle of fresh thyme stems (leaves still attached), thoroughly washed and dried
Rind of 1 Meyer lemon
Method:
1. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the thyme stems and lemon rind and allow to steep several minutes in the oil (oil temperature should be 180°).
3. Cool, strain the oil of thyme and lemon and then pour into a resealable container until ready to use.
Spring Color Recipes
This week’s lineup is truly color-rich, from ruby-red rhubarb and green asparagus to purple Huckleberry Gold potatoes, rainbow Swiss chard and a plethora of spring greens and pungent herbs. Accompanying this bright roster are all the ingredients you need to finish off a spring feast: Spring ramps, locally-foraged Morel mushrooms, Grana-style cheese and Arborio rice for risotto, plus Italian Rustica bread, farm-fresh eggs and a ripe and fruity French Rosé.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Grana Cheese with Honey & Red Pepper Flakes
The success of this lovely appetizer depends entirely on the quality of the ingredients, so don’t scrimp!
Wild Ramp-Lemon Risotto with Morel Mushrooms
This bright risotto showcases beautiful spring ramps and foraged Morel mushrooms.
Rainbow Swiss Chard with Lemon Citronette
A light, lemony dressing adds bright appeal to tender Swiss chard.
Purple Kohlrabi & Turnip Slaw
This crisp slaw is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats, or even served atop burgers.
Green Garlic Salad Dressing
Flavor-packed ground mustard, vinegar and green garlic stalks mix beautifully in this easy vinaigrette.
