Ingredient by Design

A Summer Roasted Vegetable: Broccoli

Do you really want to turn on the oven in the middle of summer?  You’re probably not like me, I say, “Yes”!  I’m helpless for a savory piece of roasted broccoli.  And I’ve been roasting vegetables for so many years, both in the Texas heat and in a commercial kitchen where it’s always at least 10 degrees hotter, I’m unfazed.  There are more solutions for you but I’ll give you two:  either turn the oven on in the “cooler” morning or evening or  wait for the cooler months – that’s just fine!!!!  Here’s a super simple recipe for the ultimate roasted vegetable – the broccoli floret.  Enjoy!

Ingredients 

4C of broccoli florets, w/ 1-2” stem 
¼-1/2C extra virgin olive oil 
3tsp of Kosher salt 
1 1/2tsp of freshly ground pepper

Process

Preheat oven 375°
Rinse, clean and gently dry the broccoli.  In a large bowl, toss broccoli with a 1/4C of olive oil. If broccoli seems dry drizzle a little more until florets are moist. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the florets.  Mix thoroughly.  Place broccoli florets on a baking sheet and spread so they are separated (ok, they can touch a little-but not much).  Place on middle shelf of oven. Roast florets for 20 to 35 minutes or until vegetables are soft.  Take out of oven and cool.  Arrange florets nicely on a plate and serve.  Broccoli can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days. 
Yields 4 people

Tips
*this technique can be used for most vegetables.
*use your own judgment on how much olive oil, salt & pepper you should use.

Boursin Cheese, Homemade

Let’s face it, Boursin cheese is one of the best flavored cheeses around.  It’s an airy, buttery and herb cacophony that bursts open on your tongue.  Then melts to nothingness leaving you wanting more and more and more…

The first time I ever tried Boursin, I made it myself.  I had been hired, whilst in culinary school, to help cook for a small catering event.  I was instructed to make an appetizer of baby potato w/ a dollop of boursin cheese; a finger food to pop into your mouth in one bite. I was told that buying Boursin was fine (and delicious) but based on the amount we needed making it would be just as easy. So there I was making a batch of Boursin.  

In truth, and in a pinch, I do buy Boursin.  Making it though is an infinate treat.  I made some for a dinner party this weekend.  With herbs still growing in our gardens all I needed  was a few ingredients from the market.  Can you name all the herbs?

Here’s the recipe.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Ingredients

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
1/8 C of whole whipping cream
12 stems of thyme, leaves only
3—4 sage leaves
5 3” sprigs of majoram, leaves only
1 3” sprig of rosemary, needles only
1 4” sprig of tarrogon (or Mexican marigold), leaves only
15 chives, minced
2 medium cloves fresh garlic
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Process

Place all ingredients in a food processor.  Process untill all ingredients incorporate and the mixture becomes a smooth paste.  Pour into an airtight container.  Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tips & Uses
*Bring to room temperature to soften.
*To melt, place in microwave for a few minutes, checking and stirring at intervals.
*Can be used as a spread and/or dipping sauce.

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Friday Food Find: Flowering Leek from Casa Pav's Gardens

Have you ever seen something as beautiful as a flowering leek?  It’s one magnificent life force; pushing it’s soft miniscule flower pods out of a silky tough skin.  

My husband, Mike (gardner extraordinaire), will be pulling these gorgeous leeks this weekend so we might use the white bottoms for a BBQ.  So this was my last chance to share the bloom with you.

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It’s my Friday Food Find; and a kind of gift to you - a flowering leek.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  

Edible Flowers from the Garden; Winter's End

This week I’m having my last affair with our garden’s edible flowers.  And not just any flowers; but the flowers that come from lettuce & greens.  

They are simply, from left to right:

Red Leaf Lettuce • Pak Choi • Broccoli Rabe • Arugula

While the Red Leaf flowers closed after one day the others still stand on my supper table. Their delicate nature is leaving them a little worse for the wear.  

But they’ll be there for a few more days so that I may enjoy and pick a flower to pop it into my mouth.

Simply for the pleasure of tasting the end of a lettuce and greens Winter season.

Friday Food Find: Arugula Flowers

While SXSW 2013 is going on I’m basking in the great weather here at the casa and pondering all the different ways I can use arugula flowers.

That’s right arugula flowers.  It’s what happens when you let your home-grown arugula go to seed - then flower.

Right now the bees are surrounding the flower tips.  With their droning bzzzz it sounds like they are warning me off this long awaited treasure.

And a treasure it is; I won’t be detoured.  

I took some scissors out to the garden this morning and playing nice with the bees I had my share of flower pickings.  

The arugula flower flavor is much like it’s leaves; a bit of spice with a lingering sweet note. With a winter white color and aubergine veins flowing throughout, it’s a perfect accoutrement to a salad, protein (meat or fish) or garnish. Using arugula flowers in any number of dishes just makes me happy!  

Enjoy your Friday Food Find!

p.s. Arugula is also called rocket or roquette.  So our arugula flowers could then be named rocket or roquette flowers.  Your choice!