Oven Ratatouille


This recipe looks long. But really, it's just a lot of instruction about properly roasting the various vegetables in this dish. The roasting sweetens and concentrates the flavors of them all. This is a very healthy, very tasty dish. Another from Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without.

3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large globe eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch cubes (peeling unnecessary if the skin is tight and smooth)
2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes (or 1 smallish heirloom or beefsteak)
6 medium-sized garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
2 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 medium zucchini (7 to 8 inches long), cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
1/2 teaspoon each crumbled dried thyme and rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional:
Small amounts of fresh herbs (basil, marjoram or oregano, rosemary, thyme, and/or parsley)
Pitted chopped olives

Arrange an oven rack in the topmost position, and another in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 1 small and 2 large baking trays with foil, and coast the foil generously with the olive oil.

Place the eggplant on one of the large trays, and toss to coat with oil. Then push it to one side, keeping it in a single layer. Arrange the tomatoes on the other half of the tray, rolling them around so they get coated with oil. Wrap the garlic cloves (still in their skins) and a half teaspoon of water tightly in a piece of foil, and place this on the corner of the same tray.

Place the whole bell peppers on the small tray.

Spread the onions and the zucchini pieces on opposite ends of the remaining large tray, and toss to coat with the oil.

Place the eggplant tray on the middle shelf of the oven, and put the small sheet with the peppers on the upper rack. After 10 minutes, use tongs to turn everything over. Repeat this turning process after another 10 minutes or so. Gently squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft. If it is, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting.

Place the onion-zucchini tray on the middle shelf next to the one with the eggplant, and continue roasting all for another 10 minutes. Turn the peppers and tomatoes one more time, and toss the eggplant, onions, and zucchini to help them brown evenly. Sprinkle the eggplant, onions, and zucchini evenly with the dried herbs. Once again, squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft. If so, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting. Roast a final 10 minutes, or until the vegetables become deep golden brown and very tender.

Transfer the eggplant, onion, and zucchini to a large bowl. Let the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic sit for a few minutes, or until comfortable to handle. Peel the peppers, then chop the tomatoes and peeled peppers roughly into 1-inch pieces and add to the eggplant mixture. Slip the roasted garlic cloves from their skins, mash with a fork, and add to the eggplant mixture.

Toss until well combined. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled to plain or topped with a sprinkling of freshly chopped herbs and/or olives.

Charmoula Lamb Burgers


Charmoula is a North African spice mixture, but there are many variations. Usually the first two ingredients are garlic and coriander, but cumin is featured in many, as is lemon juice and herbs. Don't worry if you don't have all of these spices and things in your pantry. Use this recipe as and inspiration and guide. From August 2007 issue of Gourmet.

3 garlic cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon paprika (not hot)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 1/2 pound ground lamb (not lean)
4 (6- to 7-inch) pita pockets
1/4 cup tapenade (black-olive paste)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4 thick tomato slices

Mince garlic and mash to a paste with 3/4 teaspoon salt using side of a large heavy knife. Stir together garlic paste, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, and cilantro. Sprinkle evenly over lamb and mix with your hands until combined (do not overmix). Form lamb mixture into 4 (3/4-inch-thick) patties (4 inches in diameter).

Cut off enough from one side of each pita to leave a 5-inch opening and open pockets. Stir together tapenade, oil, and lemon juice.

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).
Oil grill rack, then grill patties, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once, 6 to 7 minutes total for medium-rare. Grill pitas, turning over once, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes total.

Spread patties with tapenade mixture and slide into pita pockets with tomato slices.

Greenfield Highland Beef Short Ribs


From Janet Steward, here are two easy ways to prepare your short ribs, both really easy and straightforward. Both recipes will give you short ribs that are tender and tasty.

Super Easy: Brown all sides of short ribs on medium/high heat in heavy pan or skillet, approximately 5 minutes/sides. Transfer to crock pot of Dutch oven. Add 1/4 cup wine or broth and 1/4 c. water. Add 3-4 cloves crushed garlic. Cook on low heat for 6 hours.

Easy: Prepare as above. Add to crock pot or Dutch oven: 1 onion, sliced
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. maple syrup
1/4 c. ketchup
3/4 tsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Cook as above. Enjoy!

Polenta and Vegetable Bake


[Passed on by one of our Craftsbury members and the original recipe came from Eating Well magazine. Her substitutions are in parenthesis.-esg]
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped (this is my addition)
1 medium eggplant, diced (I used the patty pan squash)
1 small zucchini, finely diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water (I didn't use any)
1 10-oz bag baby spinach (I used the cress instead)
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (I used a few chopped tomatoes instead, that's why I didn't use water)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 14 or 16 oz tube prepared polenta, sliced lengthwise into 6 thin slices

1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided

1. Preheat oven to 450 and coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add
onion, eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper and cook, stirring
occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to
brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add water (or tomatoes) and spinach (or other
greens); cover and cook until wilted, stirring once, about 3 minutes.
Stir marinara sauce into the vegetables and heat through, 1 to 2
minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
3. Place polenta slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish,
trimming to fit. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese, top with the veggie
mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbling and the
cheese is melted, 12 to 15 minutes. Let stand for about 5 minutes
before serving.




Kale and Potato Spanish Tortilla


-adapted from Gourmet, 2003
A Spanish tortilla is very much like an omelet or frittata. It makes a filling supper on a cool night.
2 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb potatoes, scrubbed clean, boiled until just tender and diced into 1/2 cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 3/4 lb baby kale
7 large, farm fresh eggs
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, saute until fragrant and then toss in potatoes. Cook until slightly crisp, with onions and garlic turning translucent. In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil, generously add salt and cook the kale until wilted. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and squeeze the kale in your hands to rid it of excess moisture, then roughly chop and add to potato mixture. Beat eggs in a bowl and add to vegetable mixture, cooking on low heat, covered, until edges are set but center is still loose, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 15 minutes.
Shake skillet gently to make sure tortilla is not sticking (if it is sticking, loosen with a heatproof plastic spatula). Slide tortilla onto a large flat plate, then invert skillet over tortilla and flip it back into skillet. Round off edge of tortilla with plastic spatula and cook over low heat, covered, 10 minutes more. Slide tortilla onto a plate and serve warm, cut into wedges.
Makes about 6 servings

TOFU AND GREENS


1 bunch greens
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 cake tofu, pressed and cubed
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Tamari to taste
Wash, remove stems and chop greens. Heat oil in a large skillet; add onion and sauté over low heat until nicely browning. Add garlic and tofu and continue to sauté until tofu browns a bit. Stir in greens in batches until all are incorporated and cook just until they are bright green. Serve with tamari.

Winter Squash Flan


This recipe sounds like the perfect brunch dish. Serves 6.

3 c squash puree
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c milk
1/4 c flour
1/3 c cornmeal
2 Tbsp butter
5 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 medium onion, cut into medium thick slices
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 c toasted nuts
2 oz crumbled cheese, blue, cheddar, as you like

Preheat oven 400.

Saute onion slices in butter with ginger and a dash of salt. Cook gently until nicely caramelized.

Meanwhile, heat milk in a medium sauce pan, whisk in the flour and cornmeal and 1 Tbsp butter. Continue stirring until thickened. Remove from heat. Cool a bit, then gradually whisk in the eggs. Stir in the squash, maple, 1/2 tsp salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Whisk together until silky smooth with no lumps, or process with a stick blender or food processor.

Butter a large, shallow baking dish. Gently stir the cheese and nuts into the squash mixture. Pour into the baking dish and scatter the onions on top.

Bake 10 minutes at 400, then lower heat to 350 and bake another 40-45 minutes, until golden and slightly puffed. Serve warm or hot.

Irish Colcannon


A meal in itself, this traditional Irish dish is comfort food through and through. Serves 6-8.

2 pounds yellow potatoes, scrubbed
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons salt
pepper to taste
1 large onion, thinly sliced
12 cups green or Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced (about 1 medium head)
2 TB white wine or water

Cut larger potatoes in 1/2, so that all pieces are of basically uniform size. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Simmer, partially covered for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserts easily through potatoes. Warm 4 tablespoons butter and milk together. Drain potatoes and mash. Add milk and butter and mash until fairly smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Meanwhile, heat remaining butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add cabbage, sprinkle with a bit of salt and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage wilts, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of wine or water, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 8 minutes.

Add the cabbage to the potatoes. Mix and mash to desired consistency. Taste for seasoning.

Corned Beef and Cabbage


Based on a recipe found at Cooking.com, this preparation with rutabagas added is a family favorite. Serves 4-6.

2 medium yellow onions, peeled
6 whole cloves
3 1/2-lb. piece corned beef, preferably bottom round
2 bay leaves
8 black peppercorns
6 large carrots, peeled and cut into thirds
1-2 large, or 3-4 small rutabagas peeled and cut into large chunks
6-8 yellow potatoes, peeled and halved
1 medium head green or savoy cabbage, washed, cored and cut into six wedges
Salt and pepper to taste

Stud onions with cloves. Rinse corned beef in cold water to remove brine. Put beef in a large pot and add onions, bay leaves, peppercorns, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover and reduce heat. Simmer beef for 2 1/4 hours, skimming occasionally.

After 2 1/4 hours add the carrots, rutabagas and potatoes. Return to a simmer and cook, covered for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add the cabbage and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Transfer beef to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil. Transfer vegetables to a platter. Remove cloves from onions. Strain cooking liquid, discarding bay leaves and peppercorns. Return liquid to pot and cook over high heat until reduced by one-third, 20-30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Return vegetables to stock and heat through for about 5 minutes. Cut beef across the grain, in 1/4-thick slices. Arrange beef and vegetables on warmed platter. Moisten with stock. Serve with additional stock and hot mustard if you like.

Carrot Souffle


Erika Bruner, one of our shareholders, emailed me this recipe about a month or so ago. It looked so intriguing, I had to try it. Her version below is more of a pudding than a souffle, sweet and delicious with maple, butter, cinnamon and vanilla. When I made this for Easter, I went much more savory. See my substitutions at the bottom of the recipe to make an Indian-inspired version. Serves 4-6.

2 lbs. carrots, peeled if you like, sliced, and steamed until very tender, then cooled somewhat
1/4 c maple syrup or maple sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1t vanilla
3 T melted butter
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 T whole-wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 t baking powder

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Place carrots in blender with sugar or syrup, cinnamon, vanilla and melted butter. Puree until smooth. Pour into medium bowl and beat in eggs, flour, and baking powder. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake about 1 hour or until top is golden brown and souffle has puffed slightly.

To make a savory version, cut the maple back to 2 tablespoons; add 1/2 tsp of ground ginger; replace the butter with sunflower or olive oil; get rid of the vanilla; and replace the 1/2 tsp cinnamon with 1 tsp garam masala (an Indian spice mixture available in most good spice sections, or make your own following a recipe.)

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