Napa Farmhouse 1885™

I "retired" from the corporate world a couple of years ago because I wanted to experience a real life after years of 80 hour work weeks and constant travel. A year later I realized that I was having a really good time, was always busy (how did i ever fit in a job??) and needed a creative outlet to share my experiences. Now I split my time between California and New Mexico but, wherever I am, I write about delicious, fresh, local, organic/sustainably grown food.

Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Butternut Squash & Eggplant Ratatouille

It is the middle of October, and we are having a beautiful and unusually warm fall here in Taos, New Mexico. We often get our first hard freeze in late September, and that ends the summer produce season. This year the nights have been in the 40's, the days 60's to 70's and my protected garden is still pumping out eggplant, tomatoes, basil, mint, onions, garlic, peppers and all the cold-weather tolerant greens, beets and carrots that are more typical of the middle of fall. I am freezing, giving away and using up all that I can because that first freeze will come at any time.

This ratatouille is the perfect go-to recipe for the seasonal transition because the ingredient combinations are so flexible. I still have tons of tomatoes, so I am using them today but the boxed, chopped version from the Pomi brand yield equally delicious results. Zucchini out of season? Use green beans, either fresh or frozen. No fresh herbs? Dried will do. Making this in summer? Add additional summer squash and skip the butternut. You get the idea. Use what you like. My only rule (for me that is) is that tomatoes, onion, garlic and spices are required.

Ratatouille is delicious as a side dish with your favorite grilled or roasted protein. I like it for brunch served with poached eggs. Top crostini or bruschetta with the ratatouille and add additional cheese for a wonderful appetizer. Please tell me in the comments section your favorite way of serving this wonderful vegetable dish. Enjoy.

Butternut Squash & Eggplant Ratatouille
(inspired from a recipe in the New York Times, 2004)
(serves 6-8)

extra virgin olive oil
1 large white onion, large chop
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, or 1 tsp dried
1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, or 1 tsp dried
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 medium Japanese eggplant, sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped into 2-inch dice
1 large zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (or 1 cup green beans)
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch dice
2 cups in-season heirloom tomatoes, seeded and chopped, or 1 750g box Pomi brand chopped tomatoes
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shredded
chile-infused extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil and add the onions. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the oregano, parsley, pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons sea salt and 1 tsp pepper. Saute for two minutes, or until the onions are very soft. Add the garlic and saute another minute, frequently stirring.

Add another 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Stir in the eggplant and butternut squash. Saute for 4-5 minutes. Add the zucchini (or green beans), bell pepper and tomatoes. Stir to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to simmer, partially cover the pan, and cook for 1-1/2 hours or until your reach the texture you like. Stir in the fresh basil if using. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve topped with the cheese and a drizzle of the chile-infused olive oil if desired. Ratatouille can be served hot, warm or at room temperature.

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It is Squash week at Food Network's Fall Fest roundup. Do you have a favorite squash recipe to share? Please list (or link) in the comments below. And be sure to check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network.

The Lemon Bowl: Slow Cooker Beef Curry
Creative Culinary: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash, Potato and Roasted Pepper Soup
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Butternut-Apple-Kale Panzanella Salad
Swing Eats: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Taste with the Eyes: Acorn Squash and Korean Pear Salad, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Butternut Squash & Eggplant Ratatouille
Red or Green: Butternut Squash & Chipotle Frittata
The Mom 100: Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Chicken Enchilada Cups
Healthy Eats: From Soup to Stir-Fry: 6 Healthy Uses for In-Season Squash
FN Dish: 7 Days of In-Season Squash

best,

diane

napa farmhouse 1885

red or green?

California Girl in Taos

MoseyLove
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Favorite BBQ Recipes Roundup

It is the middle of August; the weather is HOT, and the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven. So, BBQ and grilling to the rescue. This is one of my favorite summertime party meals. (and, hey, a party can be just two, right?) Green salad with grilled corn and pesto-topped bruschetta, smokey bbq ribs, grilled bbq elk burgers, grilled peak-of-season corn on the cob and fresh watermelon & herb margaritas. Throw some veggie burgers on the grill for the non-meat eaters in the crowd and you are all set. Cheers to summer!

Farmers Market Salad

(serves 8)

2 ears corn on the cob

5 thick slices good sourdough or whole wheat bread

extra virgin olive oil

16 handfuls mixed greens (your favorite combination of lettuces, spinach, kale, chard, etc.)

1 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half if large)

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 sweet red onion, sliced

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

Herb Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Pesto (recipe follows)

Grill the corn on the cob. (I use this technique). Cut corn off the cob and set aside.

Grill or broil bread until golden brown with grill marks on both sides. Brush olive oil on 3 slices of bread. Thickly spread pesto on remaining 2 slices of bread. Cut each slice of bread into 4 pieces. Set croutons aside

Add the greens, tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, to a large bowl. Add the reserved corn and large pinch each of salt and pepper. Drizzle salad with 1/3 cup vinaigrette and add the olive oil topped croutons. Toss salad. Add additional dressing if desired but take care not to overdress. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Top salad with pesto croutons and serve immediately.

Herb Vinaigrette

1 cup basil leaves

1 cup fresh herbs (1 or a mix, your choice of mint, tarragon, thyme)

1 clove, fresh garlic

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp coconut sugar

2 tbsp water

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in food processor. Process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.

Pesto

1/2 cup pine nuts
2 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese cut into 2 pieces
2 garlic cloves
1 fresh red cayenne pepper (or other fresh hot red pepper), seeded
5 cups basil leaves (packed)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Toast pine nuts in a skillet until just beginning to brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Add cheese to a food processor fitted with the chopping/mixing blade. Process until cheese is grated. Add cooled pine nuts, garlic and red pepper and process until all ingredients are finely grated. Add half of basil leaves and 1/4 cup olive oil and process until smooth but with a bit of texture. Add remaining basil, remaining olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Process until well mixed. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Scrape into a small bowl and cover with thin layer of olive oil.

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BBQ Pork Ribs

(from Saveur)

serves 4-6

Rub Recipe

1 cup coconut sugar
½ cup paprika
3 Tbsp. ground black pepper
3 Tbsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. onion powder
1 Tsp. cayenne pepper
2 racks St. Louis-cut pork spareribs (about 3 lb. each; see Barbecue 101. »)

Mix the sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic and onion powders, and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub onto all sides of ribs. Place ribs on foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

BBQ Sauce Recipe
2 cups organic ketchup
½ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup coconut sugar
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
1½ Tsp. cayenne pepper
1½ Tsp. celery seeds
1½ Tsp. minced garlic
1½ Tsp. ground cumin
¼ Tsp. fresh lemon juice

In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, celery, cumin, cayenne, garlic, and lemon juice; set aside.

Prepare your grill using the kettle grill, bullet smoker, or gas grill method, (see links for instructions) using oak wood chunks or chips (see Fuel and Flavor). Place ribs, meat side up, on a grill grate. Maintaining a temperature of 225°-250° (if using a kettle grill or bullet smoker, replenish fire with unlit coals, as needed, to maintain temperature; see instructions), cook, turning once and basting with sauce the last 45 minutes of cooking, until the tip of a small knife slips easily in and out of the meat, 3–4 hours. Remove from grill, wrap in aluminum foil, wrap the foil packets with a kitchen towel and allow to rest for 2 hours. Serve ribs with remaining sauce on the side.

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Best Ever Elk Burgers
(makes 4)

1 lb ground elk
1/2 cup minced white onions
sea salt
black pepper
extra virgin olive oil (for grill)
4 whole wheat or sourdough hamburger buns
butter or olive oil
your favorite hamburger toppings i.e.
crisp lettuce leaves
sliced red onion
mayo
ketchup
mustard
cheddar cheese if desired

Combine elk and minced onions in a small bowl. Form meat into four patties. Using your thumb, make a depression in the center of each patty. (This will help prevent shrinkage) Generously season each patty with salt and pepper. Set aside

Prepare coals if using an outdoor grill or heat grill pan until hot. Grease grate or grill pan with olive oil. Grill burgers 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side. You want medium rare or medium...cooking any longer will result in dry, tough meat. If using cheese, add during the last minute of cooking to allow melting. Remove from heat and allow to rest for a few minutes.

Butter or olive oil insides of each bun. Grill for one minute being careful to not let burn.

Add elk patties to buns and add your favorite toppings. Serve immediately

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Perfect Grilled Corn on the Cob
(from Bobby Flay and Food Network

Corn on the cob (1-2 ears per serving)
Sea Salt
Butter
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (a really, good, big and spicy one)
Light a charcoal fire and let the coals burn down to ash red and medium-high heat. (medium-high heat means you can hold your hand over the coals for about 5 seconds before it is too hot.)

Pull down the husks and remove the silk. Replace the husks and put the corn in a large bowl of cold water with a large pinch of sea salt. Allow to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Remove corn from water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill the for 15 to 20 minutes. Rotate the corn on the cobs every 5 minutes, Continue grilling until you have grill marks on all sides. Remove from the grill, pull down the husks and spread and eat immediately.

Fresh Watermelon & Herb Margaritas
(makes 8)

watermelon juice from a medium watermelon seeded and chunked
juice of 2-3 limes
1/2-1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon mint (I used chocolate mint, but any type works), plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon basil, plus more for garnish
ice
tequila

Blend watermelon, juice from 2 limes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and herbs together till smooth. You should get around 10 cups of liquid. Taste and add additional lime juice and salt to taste.

Pour some of the juice into an ice cube tray to make watermelon ice cubes. Freeze until firm.
Refrigerate remaining juice until very cold.

When ready to serve, add 2-3 oz tequila to each glass. Add a couple of ice cubes and a few watermelon ice cubes. Fill glass with watermelon juice. Stir and garnish with herbs. Serve immediately.

Summer means easy, breezy dishes made from fresh, just-picked produce and this week at Food Network's Summer Soiree we are celebrating BBQ/Grilling. Do you have a favorite BBQ recipe? Share in the comments section and/or link to your blog if you have one. And be sure to check out the delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network.

Creative Culinary: Limoncello and Herb Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Pan Grilled Kabab
The Heritage Cook: Cheesy Grilled Steak Sandwiches (Gluten-Free option)
Homemade Delish: Chipotle and Cherry BBQ Ribs
Virtually Homemade: Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings and Summer Slaw
Healthy Eats: Add Flavor, Not Fat: 5 Tips for Better Barbecue
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Favorite BBQ Recipes Roundup
Taste with the Eyes: Korean BBQ Chicken, Lettuce Cups, White Seaweed Salad
Domesticate Me: Quinoa Broccoli Slaw
The Lemon Bowl: 20 Healthy BBQ Recipes
In Jennie's Kitchen: Seriously Delicious Ribs
FN Dish: Chefs' Top BBQ Dishes to Make Before Summer's End

best,

diane

napa farmhouse 1885

red or green?

California Girl in Taos

MoseyLove
please follow me on Facebook

I have started sharing my newest blog "California Girl in Taos." Please visit and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Heirloom Tomato & Crouton Casserole (Scalloped Tomatoes)

There is something amazing about combining bread and tomatoes. Pizza, bread salad, gazpacho, grilled cheese & tomatoes, the list goes on and on. And, in summer when tomatoes are in season, nothing is easier or more delicious. So a few years ago when I saw this recipe from Ina Garten I knew it would become one of my favorites.

Homemade croutons are tossed in a mixture of chopped in-season tomatoes, garlic, and herbs then piled into a baking dish, topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano and baked. The tomatoes sort of collapse into the croutons, the cheese browns, and melts and the result is a delicious casserole perfect as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish or steak. I love to pair with a big salad and serve as a light summer supper.

tonight we had the tomato casserole with a big salad and roasted salmon

Throughout the years, I have tweaked Ina's recipe a bit. I am posting her exact recipe with my tweaks highlighted in red. I like the addition of sweet onion and thyme leaves. I also add a pinch of dried red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Feel free to leave this out if spicy is not your thing. My biggest change is drying out the croutons in the oven. For me, Ina's recipe produces wet, soggy bread...and I am not a fan. My tweak, plus reducing the time the ingredients are sauteed, results in crispy croutons in the finished dish. Try the recipe both ways...and go with the one you like best. Both are delicious!

Scalloped Tomatoes
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten
Total Time:
55 min
Prep:
20 min
Cook:
35 min

Yield:6 servings

Good olive oil
2 cups (1/2-inch diced) bread from a French boule, crusts removed (I do not remove the crusts)
16 plum tomatoes, cut 1/2-inch dice (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup chopped spring onions (or sweet Walla Walla onions)
2 tablespoons sugar (I do not use sugar if the tomatoes are super sweet. If not I use 1 tablespoon coconut sugar. The white sugar makes this dish too sweet for me)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 cup julienned basil leaves, lightly packed
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I cut this to 1/2 cup cheese)
Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12 inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and stir to coat with the oil. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are evenly browned. Place the croutons on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the croutons are very dry..Remove from oven and set aside.

Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, onion, coconut sugar (if needed), salt, pepper and red pepper flakes) in the used skillet. Add the croutons to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for 5 2 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the basil and the thyme.

Pour the tomato mixture into a shallow (6 to 8 cup) baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan cheese and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is browned, and the tomatoes are bubbly. Serve hot or warm.

2009, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved
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