Tag: dill

Categories
*In the box

In the Box: Autumn, Week #21

Radicchio
Radicchio, halved. Image via GEOF.

Veg Share*
Butternut Squash – 1 piece
Green Kale – 1 bunch
Escarole – 1 head
Radicchio – 1 head
Broccoli – 2 pieces
Fennel – 2-3 pieces
Dill OR Cilantro – 1 bunch
Spinach – 1 large .75lb bag
Bonus! Garlic seconds – 1 or 2 small pieces (Some garlic is missing a clove or two. We are using up the slightly damaged garlic which still has many good quality cloves. The brown discoloration on some of the cloves is just on the surface and is cosmetic, although you may want to cut it off before using.)
*Contents of the share may fluctuate over the week

Fruit Share
Mixed bag of Empire and Mutsu Apples

Milk Not Jails Dairy Share
Weekly dairy share pick up AND à la carte order pick up!

Lewis Waite Farm CSA Extras
Pick up your Lewis Waite orders today! Forgot to place an order? The next deadline is October 28th for delivery on November 1st. Please place your orders for Thanksgiving Turkeys by November 5th to be guaranteed a bird!!

A few friendly reminders & updates:

Winter Veg & Fruit Shares via Winter Sun Farms
Early bird signup for the Winter Sun Farms winter share continues online. The total price is $137. Read more and sign up online.

Continue reading “In the Box: Autumn, Week #21”
Categories
Recipes

Tzatziki; Cucumber Yogurt Dip


recipe via About.com; image via Joy in Creating.


For the strained Greek yogurt, just pop up to any Greek store in Astoria or possibly a Turkish place around here and I think you will find it. It is super thick so it holds up to the watery nature of the cucumber without the dip getting runny. Serve with warm large pita rounds that have been cut into trianbgles and brushed with oregano and olive oil.

Ingredients
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced finely
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1 cup greek yogurt, strained
1 cup sour cream
2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
1 tsp. chopped fresh dill

Method
1. Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined.

2. Using a whisk, blend the yogurt with the sour cream.

3. Add the olive oil mixture to the yogurt mixture and mix well.

4. Add the cucumber and chopped fresh dill.

5. Chill for at least two hours and garnish with a sprig of of fresh dill just before serving.

Categories
Recipes

Basil Dill Slaw

recipe & image via AllRecipes


Ingredients
6 cups shredded cabbage
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1/3 as much dried basil
3 tablespoons snipped fresh dill, divided
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Method
1. In a serving bowl, combine the cabbage, basil and dill.

2. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients until blended. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat.

3. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Categories
Recipes

Farro & Herbs


Recipe and image via 101 Cookbooks



If you don’t have farro, you can certainly substitute cooked wheat berries, or (pearled) barley. Also, if you don’t have creme fraiche, feel free to substitute a mixture of equal parts sour cream and cream.

Ingredients
2 cups / 13 oz / 370 g uncooked semi-pearled farro
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt
5 cups water
1/3 cup creme fraiche (or 50:50 sour cream:cream)
2 ts freshly squeeze lemon juice (plus zest)
2 ts good-quality white wine vinegar
2 bunches / 1 oz fresh chives, minced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
scant teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
more salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 oz / 170g (good) mozzarella or bocconcini, cut or torn into chunks

Method
1. Place the uncooked farro in a saucepan along with the salt and water. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat a bit, then simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the grains are cooked through, but not mushy. You can certainly use whole farro here if you like, you’ll just need to cook it longer, more like 50 minutes.
2. You’ll likely have some extra liquid in the farro pot, drain the farro, but reserve the cooking liquid. In the end, you’ll have about 4 cups of cooked farro. Let it cool a bit, but keep in mind, this is a dish you can serve warm or at room temperature.

3. In a large bowl combine the cooked farro with the creme fraiche. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of the (still warm) reserved cooking liquid to thin things out a bit, then stir in the lemon juice, zest, and vinegar.

4. Stir in the herbs and mix well. Taste and salt and pepper to your liking at this point.

5. Lastly add the mozzarella and gently toss one last time before serving warm or at room temperature.

Serves 6-8.

Categories
What the veg?

Dill

History
Dill is an ancient herb that dates back to 1640. Dill is native to southern Russia, western Africa and the Mediterranean region. This aromatic herb grows to 3ft tall with long feathery fronds and tiny yellow flowers and has a subtle anise flavor. The seeds are stronger and more flavorful than the leaves and are most commonly associated with the cuisines of Scandinavia and Germany. Fresh dill is available during the summer and early fall.

Substitutes
Fresh tarragon. For a garnish try anise (fennel) fronds.

Equivalents
3 heads = 1 ts dill seed
1/2 oz = 1/2 cup

Storage
Fresh dill should always be stored in the refrigerator either wrapped in a damp paper towel or with its stems placed in a container of water. Since it is very fragile, even if stored properly, dill will only keep fresh for about two days.
Dill can be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers.
Alternatively, you can freeze the dill leaves in ice cube trays covered with water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews.

Cooking Tips
Dill is a unique plant in that both its leaves and seeds are used as a seasoning.
Dill’s green leaves are wispy and fernlike and have a soft, sweet taste.
Dried dill seeds are light brown in color and oval in shape, featuring one flat side and one convex ridged side. The seeds are similar in taste to caraway, featuring a flavor that is aromatic, sweet and citrusy, but also slightly bitter.

Dill provides a tangy addition to pickles, salad dressing and fish dishes.
Combine dill weed with plain yogurt and chopped cucumber for a delicious cooling dip.
Use dill when cooking fish, especially salmon and trout, as the flavors complement one another very well.
Use dill weed as a garnish for sandwiches.
Add dill to your favorite egg salad recipe.
Mix together chopped potatoes, green beans, and plain yogurt, then season with both dill seeds and chopped dill weed.

Recipes

Categories
Recipes

Cool Beet & Cucumber Soup

A friend made this soup for me. It sounds a little involved, but not having been the chef, it definitely tasted worth the effort! Perfect for a hot summer day.

Ingredients
1 small beet bunch, with greens
water to cover
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
3 cups buttermilk
1 cup yogurt, kefir or sour cream
2-3 lemons juiced
1/4 cup pickle juice
lots of cracked pepper
1/2 long english cucumber 1/4″ dice
1 bunch scallions minced
1/4 cup minced fresh dill

Method
1. Cut greens from the beetroot and wash both well to remove any dirt.

2. Peel beets, quarter and thinly slice. Place in a pot and cover with cold water by 1-inch. Bring to a boil, add salt, partially cover and reduce heat.

3. Simmer until the beets are just tender.

4. While the beets are simmering, finely shred the beet greens with their stems. Once the beets are tender, stir the greens and sugar into the pot. Cover and turn off the heat. Let stand 10 minutes.

5. Uncover and cool to room temperature, then chill thoroughly before proceeding. [This step can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, or frozen for 1 month.]

6. In a large bowl, combine the beets, greens and cooking water with buttermilk, yogurt, lemon and pickle juice.

7. Season with salt, cracked pepper, sugar or more lemon to taste.

8. Chill the soup at least one hour.

9. Add cucumbers, scallions, and dill and taste one more time to adjust the seasoning.

10. Serve in chilled bowls.

Yield: 4-6 servings