Summer Share Fifteen September 1st/3rd 2020
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Farm News from Jane
Well, the great tomato harvest continues as well as the last of the “summer” beets and beans. This has been a fantastic growing season for beets and tomatoes. But not so much for onions. The 8 inches of rain we received just when they were almost mature caused them to degrade in the field so quickly and even as they were drying down so we have lost half the crop. This means that there will not be many onions to share the rest of the summer season. Actually, the onions were beautiful, they just didn’t stay that way; so sad…
Although this is the last of the summer beans, we do have dry beans still growing for winter shares. And speaking of winter shares; we are getting the final touches on our winter share membership this week and will be sending out information and membership forms soon. Enrollment will also be posted for on-line on our website. We’ll let you know when it goes “live”.
This morning started quite chilly but it didn’t take long for the sun to warm us while we harvested beets. It reminded me that we need to begin closing up the greenhouses before nightfall to conserve some of that nice afternoon heat. We still have a few lettuces and also herbs and spinach growing for winter production in the greenhouse. Last week we transplanted more of the salad mix that you’ve enjoyed this summer and we will have a “spicy” greens mix for salad coming, maybe next week. This type of greens we usually cut and bunch like we do for Swiss chard. The first of the radishes look like they’ll be ready next week also. It seems hard to believe that we are saying “good-bye” to summer fare and hello to the cooler weather crops. Perhaps that is because it has been such a long, hot summer even though it feels like it flew by… I don’t feel ready for the back to school routine even though it’s just friends and grandchildren at this point. I guess it’s the schedule I dislike. Summer is a more relaxed and wonderful time to enjoy the natural world which brings all the summer fun of swimming, boating, fishing and long evenings of warmth and sun. It seems like so many more people have enjoyed the great outdoors this year because of the pandemic. More people than ever are out walking, biking, camping, and just enjoying summer. Tomorrow evening brings the full moon again; the last one of summer. Hopefully the sky will be clear to watch it rise.
Let’s be grateful for what we have and each other! Peace and joy, Jane
Produce: Napa cabbage Golden beets Red potatoes/Adk Red potatoes Spanish onion
Garlic Dragon Tongue beans Sweet corn Tomatoes: 3 ways
Fruit Share: Peaches Blue plums White flesh nectarines
Produce tips:
– Napa cabbage is great raw or cooked (stir-fried). Although it is technically a member of the cabbage family, it is very light in flavor and texture. Just right for raw salads or even on your sandwich!
– Dragon Tongue beans are a variety of Romano beans, the flat Italian style. There are lots of great recipes below. Their pods are edible and they don’t have strings like many other beans.
Recipes
ROMANO BEAN SUNFLOWER SEED SALAD
1 lb. fresh Romano beans; 1/2 medium-size onion, minced; 1 small clove garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons vinegar; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds; freshly ground black pepper
Wash beans, remove ends and cut into I-inch lengths. Cook in as little water as possible until tender, but still firm. Combine beans with other ingredients except sunflower seeds. Chill. Serve chilled green beans on salad greens, topped with toasted sunflower seeds. *Toast sunflower seeds in heavy dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until brown. Yield: 4 to 6 servings
DRAGON TONGUE BEAN SALAD RECIPE WITH SPICY HONEY-MUSTARD
For the dressing: 2 T sherry vinegar, 1 T Dijon mustard, 2 tsp honey, 1½ tsp chili paste, ¼ tsp salt, a few turns of freshly ground black pepper, 3 Ts extra virgin olive oil
Add the vinegar, mustard, honey, chili paste, salt and pepper to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Gradually add the oil while still whisking. Once it’s smooth, set aside.
For the salad:
1 lb. Dragon Tongue beans, washed and dried, root ends trimmed, 2 C loosely packed mixed micro, greens, washed and dried, a few red Thai chile peppers for garnish and added heat if desired.
Prepare a large mixing bowl with ice water and set it aside. Place a steamer rack into a pot with the water level just below it. Over high heat, bring the water to a boil and then add the beans to the rack, sprinkle lightly with salt and cover. Steam just until they’re about 50% more tender, about 3 minutes. Immediately drain and add the beans to the bowl of ice water — this will help preserve any bits of purple still remaining. Let them sit in the ice water until they’re cold, then drain, dry them, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Toss the beans with the micro greens and the dressing. Wash, dry, and slice the red chile peppers in half for garnish (and added heat) if desired. Serve! Recipe from: https://cookingontheweekends.com
DRAGON TONGUE BEANS WITH MUSHROOMS
1 lb. dragon tongue beans or green beans, 8 oz. pancetta, chopped into small cubes, 1 T butter, 2 shallots, minced, 4 garlic cloves, minced, 1 1/2 lbs. cremini mushrooms, quartered, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, 2 T flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Bring a medium sized pot of salted water to boil. Blanche beans for about 5 minutes. Drain immediately and run under cold water. Set aside. In a large skillet, cook pancetta until slightly crispy over medium heat. Transfer to paper towel lined plate. Turn heat to medium low and melt butter. Add shallots and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Next stir in mushrooms and a healthy dose of salt. Stirring occasionally, let mushrooms cook down and release their juices, about 8-10 minutes. Add beans and pancetta to mushroom mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes more. then sprinkle with black pepper and parsley.
Recipe from https://food52.com
DRAGON’S TONGUE BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
1 lb. Dragon’s Tongue beans, stem ends popped off, 2 T butter, 2 medium or 1 large onion, sliced as thinly as possible, 1 C chicken or vegetable stock (or water), 1 1/2 T sugar, 1 T red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste
Cook beans in boiling salted water until tender, approx. 5 minutes. Drain and immerse in ice water to stop the cooking (this will ensure your beans stay crisp and delightful). Melt butter in skillet over medium flame. Stir in onions and cook them slowly until very wilted and deepened in color, 15 or so minutes. Deglaze pan with stock or water and boil for 5 minutes to reduce and concentrate flavors. Stir in sugar and vinegar. Add beans to the onions and heat through (just a minute or two). Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Recipe from https://crossroadscommunityfarm.com
HERB-ROASTED RED POTATOES
1 lb. red potatoes, cut in 11/2- inch pieces; 1-4 cloves garlic, chopped; 3-4 tablespoons of your favorite fresh herb: Chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, fennel, dill, etc.; 3-4 tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat potatoes with other ingredients and spread out on a shallow baking dish. Roast until tender, 40-45 minutes. Makes 2-4 servings. Recipe from Patricia Schindler
MUSTARD ROASTED POTATOES
1/2 cup whole grain Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel, 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, 3 pounds 1- to 1 1/2-inch-diameter mixed unpeeled red-skinned and white-skinned potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch-wide wedges
Position 1 rack in top third of oven and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Spray 2 large rimmed baking sheets with nonstick spray. Whisk mustard, olive oil, butter, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, lemon peel, and salt in large bowl to blend. Add potatoes; sprinkle generously with freshly ground black pepper and toss to coat. Divide potatoes between prepared baking sheets, leaving any excess mustard mixture behind in bowl. Spread potatoes in single layer. Roast potatoes 20 minutes. Reverse baking sheets and roast until potatoes are crusty outside and tender inside, turning occasionally, about 25 minutes longer. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand on baking sheets at room temperature. Rewarm potatoes in 425°F oven 10 minutes. Transfer potatoes to serving bowl. Recipe form Bon Appetit!
VEGAN PINK MASHED POTATOES WITH GINGER AND CARDAMOM
2 Adirondack Red potatoes, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/2 cup hemp (or soy) milk, 1/8 teaspoon cardamom, 1 tablespoon chopped candied ginger, finely chopped, salt to taste
Scrub potatoes and cut into chunks. (I always leave the nutrient-rich peel on.) Place them in a pot of boiling water and boil until tender, then drain. Add all other ingredients and mash with a potato masher until smooth and perfectly lavender.
BEETS, ORANGES, AND RASPBERRY SAUCE
1-pound beets, scrubbed; 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar; 1-2 oranges or peaches; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon grated gingerroot (optional); 1/2 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place beets (in their skins) in a baking dish and cover with foil. Roast beets until tender, about 35-55 minutes, depending on their size. When cool, peel, slice thinly, and place them in a bowl. Peel the oranges (or peaches) and cut in half. Place flat sides down on cutting board and slice each into about 4 wedges. Remove seeds from orange slices before adding to beets. Make vinaigrette out of the remaining ingredients: mash garlic with the salt, add vinegar, and whisk in olive oil. Stir in grated gingerroot, if using. Toss with beets and oranges. You can serve this immediately, but it’s best if allowed to chill and mellow. This dish was inspired by recipes in Mollie Katzen’s Vegetable Heaven and Renee Shepherd’s Recipes from a Kitchen Garden. Makes 4-6 servings.
YELLOW BEETS AND GREEN BEAN SALAD
1/2-pound crisp green beans with the ends snipped; 3 medium-size yellow beets, diced; 1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 5 ounces plain low-fat yogurt; 1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste); 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, crushed; Salt and freshly ground pepper
In a saucepan, cook the green beans in rapidly boiling water for 7 minutes or until they are tender but crisp. In a separate saucepan, cook the beets until they are tender. (You may cook both in the microwave according to your oven’s instructions if you prefer.) Cool rapidly under cold running water and peel the beets. Combine the beans with the beets, the tarragon, and half the parsley in a medium-size serving bowl. Mix well but gently. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Stir the yogurt mixture into the green bean mixture and garnish with the remaining parsley. Serve immediately. 4 SERVINGS Recipe from Herbal Soups, Salads, Breads and Sweets.
BEET AND SHAVED FENNEL SALAD
Salad: 4 large or 6 small beets; 1 bulb fennel; cracked black pepper to taste
Dressing: 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Grated zest of 1 Clementine; Juice of 3 Clementines; 4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary, plus 4 teaspoons rosemary leaves for garnish; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
For the salad: Rinse the beets; put them in a pan with water to cover, and boil covered until they can be stabbed somewhat easily with a fork. Drain them and cool under cold running water. As the water is running, you can rub off the peels and stems of the beets. This will dye your hands red, but it is quick and easy. Slice the beets very thin and refrigerate them. Trim any discolored outer parts from the fennel. Trim the tops and the base. Using a mandolin, shave the fennel crosswise in almost paper-thin slices. If you don’t have a mandolin cut the fennel lengthwise in half, lay the halves down on their flat sides, and slice crosswise as thin as possible. Soak the fennel in ice water while you prepare the dressing.
For the dressing: Whisk together all the ingredients.
To finish the dish: On 4 salad plates, arrange the beet slices so they are covering the bottom of the plates. Shake the water off a tuft of fennel and place it on top of the beets. Sprinkle about 4 teaspoon fresh rosemary needles on top of each salad. Pour the dressing over the chilled salads. Crack the pepper over each plate at the table. Serves 4. Recipe from The Café Pongo Cookbook.
WARM GOLDEN BEET SALAD WITH GREENS AND ALMONDS 1 bunch beets, both tops and roots, olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled, 2/3 cup toasted almond slivers.
Heat the oven to 425°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan or cake tin with a big square of foil, large enough to complete enclose the beet roots. Lightly rinse the beet roots to remove any really clumpy dirt and pat them dry. Place them in the foil square and lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Fold up the foil and crease to seal. Bake the beets for 60 minutes or until they can be just pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, chop the beet greens into bite-size ribbons. Discard the stalks between the roots and where the leaves start, but chop the leaf ribs along with the leaves. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt and grit. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook on low for about 5 minutes or until the garlic is golden and fragrant. Add the chopped leaves and stir to coat with the garlic. Cook on medium-low for about 10 minutes or until the leaves are soft and tender. Remove from the heat. When the beets are cool, rub them with a paper towel to remove the skin. Then chop into bite sized pieces and toss with the cooked greens, goat cheese, and almonds. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or cold. (This also makes an excellent pressed sandwich filling, especially with some extra goat cheese.)
GOLDEN BEET AND SUNFLOWER SEED SALAD
2 1/2 lb. medium golden beets, 1/2 cup raw (not roasted) sunflower seeds (2 1/4 oz), 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot, 2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 6 oz sunflower sprouts or baby mesclun (6 cups)
Put oven racks in lower third and middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F. Trim beet greens, leaving 1 inch of stems attached. Tightly wrap beets together in double layers of foil to make packages (2 or 3 per package) and roast in middle of oven until tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Unwrap beets and cool slightly.
While beets roast, toast sunflower seeds in a pie plate or a small baking pan in lower third of oven, shaking occasionally, until seeds are golden, about 10 minutes. Whisk together shallot, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a small bowl, then add oil in a stream, whisking. When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off and discard skins. Cut beets lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and gently toss with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette in a bowl. Toss sunflower sprouts and half of sunflower seeds with remaining vinaigrette in another bowl. Arrange beets on 6 salad plates and top with dressed sprouts. Sprinkle salads with remaining sunflower seeds.
Cooks’ note: Beets can be roasted, sliced, and dressed 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
Recipe from Epicurious.com
GOLDEN BEET SLAW
1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 1/2 pounds golden beets, peeled and cut into matchsticks, 3 scallions, sliced, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Peel beets with peeler and then cut into matchsticks. Whisk together oil, vinegar, zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Toss with beets, scallions, and cilantro. Serves 6; recipe from Martha Stewart Living
CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH TOMATOES AND CORN
1 pkg. (9oz.) refrigerated cheese tortellini, 3 ½ c. fresh corn or 1lb. frozen, 2 cups cherry tomatoes; quartered;, ¼ c. thinly sliced green onions, ¼ c. minced fresh basil, 2T. grated Parmesan cheese, 4 t. olive oil, ¼ t. garlic powder, 1/8 t. pepper.
In a Dutch oven, cook tortellini according to pkg directions, adding the corn during the last five minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water. In a large serving bowl, combine tortellini mixture and remaining ingredients; toss to coat.
FRESH SWEET CORN SALSA
4 ears corn, 4 tomatoes medium sized; seeded and diced, 1 medium onion; diced, 3 jalapenos, seeded and diced fine, 1 lime juiced, ½ tsp. garlic powder (or 1 fresh clove), 2 tsp. salt, ¼ cup cilantro
Corn may be used raw or cooked. Cut from cob and place in mixing bowl. Dice the tomato, onion and jalapenos. Mix with the corn and add in lime juice, salt, and garlic. Chop cilantro and mix in. Can be served fresh or refrigerate until ready to serve. 15 servings.
FRESH CORN CAKES
Makes about 9 to 10 4-inch pancakes
2 tablespoons butter, plus additional for brushing pan 3/4 cup kernels cut from one large ear sweet fresh corn, 1/8 teaspoon salt plus additional for seasoning com 1 large egg, 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon sugar, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, any kind 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet or griddle pan over medium heat. Add com and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until it begins to brown ever-so-slightly. Sprinkle with salt and set aside to cool. Wipe out skillet. Lightly beat egg in the bottom of a large bowl, then whisk in buttermilk, com, vanilla and sugar. In a smaller bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir dry ingredients into wet, mixing until just combined but still lumpy in appearance. Reheat your skillet or sauté pan to medium. Brush the pan with butter and ladle 1/4 cup batter at a time, 2 inches apart. When the pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, flip them over and cook them until golden brown underneath. If they seem to be cooking too quickly (dark on the outside, raw centers) turn your heat down to low for the next batch and inch it up as needed. Repeat with remaining batter, and serve immediately with a pat of salted butter and a healthy dose of maple syrup.
CHILLED COCONUT CORN SOUP
2 T virgin coconut oil, 1 medium onion, finely chopped, 1 (1/2″) piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 tsp), 1/4 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste, 6 ears of corn, kernels cut off (about 5 1/2 cups), cobs reserved, 1 Yukon Gold potato (about 5 ounces) peeled, cut into 1/2″ cubes, 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk, 2 (2″) strips lime zest, 1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes, 2 T fresh lime juice, Diced avocado, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and lime wedges (for serving)
Melt coconut oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add onion, ginger, turmeric, and 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 8–10 minutes. Break corn cobs in half and add to pot along with corn kernels, potato, coconut milk, lime zest, and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until potato is tender, 20–25 minutes. Discard corn cobs and lime zest, then transfer soup to a blender. Add 1/2 tsp. salt and purée until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a large bowl and chill, covered, at least 2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Spread coconut flakes on a small rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Stir lime juice into soup and adjust seasonings, thinning with water, if needed. Divide soup among bowls, then top with toasted coconut, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges alongside. Do Ahead: Soup can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and chill. Recipe from Anna Stockwell; Epicurious August 2015
FRESH TOMATO AND FETA SAUCE FOR PASTA
1/2 pound angel hair pasta; fresh, great-tasting tomatoes, enough to make 2 cups chopped tomatoes or 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes; 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 cup olive oil; salt and pepper; feta cheese
Boil pasta in large quantity of salted water until just tender. Meanwhile, chop tomatoes and place in bowl. (If you’re using paste, or Roma-type, tomatoes, you may first cut a shallow X in the bottom of each, dip the tomatoes in the boiling pasta water 10-20 seconds, and remove skins.) Place lemon juice in a large bowl; whisk in oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Rinse and drain pasta; toss with oil mixture. Transfer pasta to a large, shallow platter and top with chopped tomatoes. Crumble feta on top, as much or as little as you like. Serve at room temperature. This recipe came from a sister’s friend. You can vary the amounts to serve any number of people. Makes 3-4 servings.
FRESH TOMATO SALSA (PICO DE GALLO)
2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb. to 1 1/2 lb.), stems removed, 1/2 red onion, 2 serrano chiles or 1 jalapeño chile (stems, ribs, seeds removed), less or more to taste, Juice of one lime, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, Salt and pepper to taste, Pinch of dried oregano (crumble in your fingers before adding), more to taste, Pinch of ground cumin, more to taste
Prep the tomatoes, chiles, and onions: Start by roughly chopping the tomatoes, chiles, and onions. Be very careful while handling the chile peppers. If you can, avoid touching the cut peppers with your hands. (I often use disposable gloves or hold the peppers with a plastic sandwich bag.) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling and avoid touching your eyes for several hours.
Set aside some of the seeds from the peppers. If the salsa isn’t hot enough, you can add a few for more heat. Dice or pulse a few times in food processor: Place all of the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse only a few times, just enough to finely dice the ingredients, not enough to purée. If you don’t have a food processor, you can finely dice by hand. Adjust seasonings: Place in a serving bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the chilies make the salsa too hot, add some more chopped tomato. If not hot enough, carefully add a few of the seeds from the chilies, or add a little more ground cumin. Let sit for an hour for the flavors to combine. Serve with chips, tortillas, tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, pinto or black beans.
Recipe form simplyrecipes.com
CHINESE CABBAGE SALAD
5 cups chopped Chinese cabbage; 3/4 c. sliced or shredded radishes, 11/2 cups chow Mein noodles (the crunchy ones); 1 cup crushed peanuts; 1/4 cup sesame seeds (black, if available); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 4 tablespoons sesame oil; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/2-1 teaspoon dry mustard
Combine cabbage, radishes, chow Mein noodles, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Mix remaining ingredients. Toss with cabbage, using just enough dressing to suit your taste. Makes 6-8 servings.
Recipe from Dog Hollow Farm
NAPA WASABI SLAW
1 tablespoon wasabi paste; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/4 cup sesame oil; 1 cup orange juice; 1 head Napa cabbage, very thinly sliced; 6 carrots, shredded; 1 chopped onion; 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Whisk wasabi, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and orange juice until thoroughly combined. Toss with vegetables and sesame “”seeds. Makes 6-8 servings. Recipe from MACSAC
DUTCH CORN AND CABBAGE
5 slices bacon; 1/2 cup water; 2 1/2 cups corn, cut from the cob; 2 cups shredded Chinese cabbage; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp pepper; 1 tsp sugar
Fry bacon until crisp in skillet. Remove bacon; drain, crumble. Reserve 2 tbsp drippings in skillet. Add water, corn and cabbage to bacon drippings. Cook, covered, until cabbage is tender, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, sugar and bacon. Mix lightly and serve. Makes 6 servings.
CABBAGE AND FENNEL WITH PARSLEY-LEMON BUTTER
1/2 small green cabbage; 1 large fennel bulb, quartered; 1 large leek, white part only; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; sea salt and freshly ground pepper; juice and zest of 1 lemon; 3 tbsp chervil or parsley leaves
Cut the cabbage, fennel, and leek into very thin slices and wash. Don’t dry, though. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large, wide skillet. Add the vegetables and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and cook gently for 10 minutes. Check after 5 minutes and make sure there’s a little moisture so that the vegetables steam and don’t brown. Meanwhile, simmer the lemon juice in a small skillet until only 1 tablespoon remains. Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining butter. Finely chop the lemon zest with the chervil. Stir half into the butter and add the other half to the vegetables. Toss well, taste for salt; add remaining butter. Season with pepper. Serves 4
RAMEN NOODLE SALAD
2 bunches of Romaine, chopped or finely shredded or Napa cabbage, 1 bunch green onions, 4 T butter, ½ C. sliced almonds, 2-3 T sesame seeds
Crush noodles, brown in 4 T butter. After browned lightly add almonds and sesame seeds and continue to brown lightly for about 2 more minutes. Set aside.
Dressing: ¾ C oil, ¼ cup vinegar, ½ C sugar, 2 T soy sauce
Warm oil and sugar stirring until sugar is dissolved; add soy sauce and whisk well to combine. Toss greens with dressing and reserved noodles, nuts and seeds just before serving.
PLUM KUCHEN
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter; 1 egg; 1 egg yolk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon almond extract; 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest; 1/4 cup milk
The fruit and topping: 10 to 12 plums; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter an 8-cup gratin dish or tart pan. Pulse the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, then cut in the butter to make fine crumbs. Beat the egg and egg yolk with the flavorings, then add enough milk to make 1/2 cup liquid. Add the liquid to the flour, mixing enough to make a thick dough. Brush your hands with flour, then pat the dough into the baking dish, pushing it up a little around the edges to make a rim. Slice Italian plums in half. If they’re small, leave them in halves; otherwise quarter them. If you’re using round plums, such as Elephant Heart, slice them into wedges about 1/2 inch thick. Overlap them over the dough. You can really crowd them together, because they’ll collapse while cooking. Drizzle the melted butter over the fruit, then sprinkle on the sugar and cardamom, if using. Bake until the crust is golden and the fruit is soft, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve warm if possible. SERVES 6 Recipe from Local Flavors.
PLUM CRISP
1/2 cup chopped, blanched almonds; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/2 cup whole wheat flour; 2 tablespoons wheat germ 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup butter, diced; 2 pounds fresh red or purple plums, pitted and sliced; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon honey, or more (to taste); 1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
In a medium-size bowl, mix the almonds, honey, flour, wheat germ, and salt. Add butter and work into the mixture with your fingers until well blended and crumbly. Refrigerate while preparing the fruit. Preheat oven to 400 F and butter a 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Arrange the plums cut side up in the baking dish. Sprinkle them with the lemon juice and honey. Spoon the almond mixture over the fruit and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is crisp and lightly browned. Cool 15 minutes or longer before serving. Serve with yogurt or sour cream. Yield: 6 to 8 servings Recipe from Naturally Delicious Desserts and Snacks.
GINGER PLUM GELATO
3 cups whole, unpeeled, pitted plums, ground fresh ginger to taste, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tablespoons water, 2 cups whole milk, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup white sugar, 4 egg yolks, beaten, 1 cup heavy whipping cream. Place plums, ginger and water in a large skillet; cook, uncovered, over medium heat until tender. Place in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Set aside. In a small saucepan, heat milk to 175°; stir in sugar until dissolved. Whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into egg yolks. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately. Quickly transfer to a large bowl; place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes. Stir in cream. Pour plums into the mixture by straining through a colander to catch the skins. Add cinnamon and liqueur if desired. Press plastic wrap onto bowl of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Refrigerate any remaining mixture until ready to freeze.) Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze 2-4 hours or until firm. Repeat with any remaining gelato mixture. Yield: 1 quart. 8 Servings Prep: 25 min. + chilling Process: 20 min. + freezing
LATE SUMMER PLUM CAKE
1-1/2 C all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off, 1-1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cardamom, 1/2 tsp salt, 8 T (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan, 1 C plus 2 T sugar, divided, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 C milk (low fat is fine), 1 pound plums, pitted and quartered
Preheat oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. (Alternatively, the cake may be made in a 9-inch cake pan or pie pan and served directly from the pan.)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, and beat on low speed until smooth. (Note: the batter will be quite thick.) Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Arrange the plums on top, skin side up, in a circular pattern so that they mostly cover the batter. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the plums. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center. When the cake is hot out of the oven, run a knife around the edges of the pan and then remove the springform edge, leaving the base in place (if using a springform pan). Let the cake cool on a rack completely. Slice and serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Note: This cake keeps well, loosely covered at room temperature, for several days. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.
Recipe form Onceuponachef.com