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Basic Basil Pesto

5/7/2025

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Ingredients
  • 2 cups packed basil leaves
  • 1 to 2 cloves  garlic, chopped
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt
  • Black Pepper

Instructions
  1. Fill a small saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set it near your stove. Set up a food processor with the blade attachment (or get your blender all plugged in and ready).
  2. Drop the basil leaves in the boiling water and blanch briefly just until they’re wilted, 5 to 10 seconds. Use tongs to transfer the basil leaves to the prepared ice water. This stops them from continuing to cook.
  3. Wrap the basil in paper towels and dry very thoroughly. Squeeze to wring out all the water and transfer to the food processor, along with the garlic, pine nuts, and lemon juice.
  4. Blend until everything has broken down into small chunks. With the processor running on low speed, slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Do not run the processor too long, you want to have a little bit of texture to your basil pesto.
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Creamy Garlic Soup

12/11/2024

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Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 2 small heads garlic, smashed and peeled, plus 3 cloves, thinly sliced (if using as a garnish)  
  • 1 small onion, chopped 
  • 1 cup dry white wine 
  • 2 sprigs thyme 
  • 1 bay leaf 
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 
  • 1 piece Parmesan cheese rind, plus 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 
  • 2 cups cubed day-old crusty bread 
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • Fresh dill, for topping

 Preparation
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic and onion and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
  2. Add the wine, thyme, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste and the cheese rind. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add 5 cups water, reduce the heat to low and bring to a gentle simmer; cook until the garlic is very soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the bread and let soak, 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the thyme, bay leaf and cheese rind from the saucepan; stir in the grated cheese, sour cream and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  5. Transfer the soup to a blender in batches and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. If using garlic as a garnish, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the sliced garlic and a pinch of salt in a skillet over low heat; cook until the garlic is golden and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes.
  7. Divide the soup among bowls. Top with the fried garlic, some of the garlic oil, and dill.
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Slow Cooker Cherry Tomato Soup

9/4/2024

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Ingredients
24 ounces cherry tomatoes
1 large shallot
4 medium cloves garlic
1 can cannellini beans
3-4 cups vegetable stock
1-2 pieces of Parmesan rind
2 teaspoons dried seasoning blend of choice: suggest everyday blend, italian herbs, herbes de provence
½-1 cup heavy whipping cream or coconut milk
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste
Fresh basil for serving, thinly sliced
Fresh shaved Parmesan for serving
 
Preparation
  1. Put all ingredients except for stock and heavy cream in a slow cooker.  Add just enough stock to cover contents. Season with salt and pepper, cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  2. When cooking time is complete, use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Alternatively, use a regular blender to blend in batches.
  3. Add cream and if necessary additional stock to reach desired consistency and flavor.
  4. Serve with fresh basil and Parmesan.
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Stuffed Sweet Onions with Bacon

9/13/2023

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​Ingredients
  • 4 medium sweet onions
  • 2 small zucchini, shredded
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 4 thick-sliced bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

Directions
  • 1. Peel onions and cut a 1/4-in. slice from the top and bottom. Carefully cut and remove the center of each onion, leaving a 1/2-in. shell; chop removed onion.
  • 2. In a large skillet, saute the zucchini, garlic and chopped onions in oil until tender and juices are reduced. Stir in the basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Remove from the heat. Stir in the bread crumbs, bacon and Parmesan cheese. Fill onion shells with zucchini mixture.
  • 3. Place in a greased 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker. Add broth to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until onions are tender.
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Arugula Pesto

4/27/2022

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Ingredients

2 cups tightly packed fresh arugula
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about ½ lemon)
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½ cup good extra virgin olive oil
handful of walnuts, pine nuts or almonds (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
  1. Combine arugula, garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese and nuts (if using)  in a blender or a small food processor.
  2. Pulse until combined and then, with the blender or food processor running, drizzle in olive oil until a pesto forms, scraping down sides as needed.
  3. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.


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Zucchini Fritters

7/21/2021

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 Yield 4 servings

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • 2 eggs, beaten 
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
​

DIRECTIONS

1.  In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini, eggs, onion, flour, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and salt.   Stir well enough to disttribute ingredients evenly.

2.  Heat a small amount of oil in a skllet over medium-high heat.  Drop zucchini mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.

3.  Serve as is or garnish with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream.

NOTE: These freeze very well so make a batch for enjoying in the fall or winter.

​
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Sauteed Broccoli

4/28/2021

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Ingredients
  • 1 pound broccoli florets
  • ​​3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or maple syrup)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Fill a large bowl or pot with half ice and half water. When the water comes to a boil, add the broccoli florets using a strainer with a handle if possible. Allow the broccoli to cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender. Immediately remove from the boiling water, using the strainer or draining, and transfer to bowl of ice to stop the cooking process. Immerse the broccoli completely in the ice water for a minute or two. Remove and place in a dish that has been lined with paper towels. This part can be done up to two days in advance.
​
2. In a cup or small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese and brown sugar; set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Throw in the broccoli and season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to coat the broccoli, then cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and dust with the Parmesan cheese mixture.


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MARA’S GLUTEN-FREE POTATO PIZZA

9/30/2020

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Picture
MARA’S GLUTEN-FREE POTATO PIZZA
Serves 4
Time: 1½ hours

1¼ to 1½ lbs. yellow potatoes (3 cups boiled & chopped)
7 oz. sliced smoked scamorza* cheese
½ cup gluten-free brown rice flour
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 extra large egg, lightly beaten
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon of salted capers, rinsed and dried
½ teaspoon of dried oregano
12 fresh basil leaves
12 pitted and sliced Taggiasche olives
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt


  1. Wash the potatoes.  Put them in a pot and cover them with cold water.  Bring to a boil and then cook for about 35 minutes until cooked.  They will be done when you can pierce easily with a fork.
  2. Drain the potatoes.  When cooled, peel them and cube them.
  3. Puree the potatoes in a food processor or with a potato masher.
  4. Knead the mashed potatoes with the flour, parmesan and egg into a dough.
  5. Roll out the dough until it is the size of a 24” diameter pizza pan.
  6. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  7. Cook the rolled-out dough on its pizza pan for 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cover it with slices of scamorza, the cherry tomatoes, the dried oregano and the capers.  Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  8. Return to the oven for a final 5 minutes.
  9. Arrange the slices of olives and the whole basil leaves.
  10. Slice and serve.
 
*Scamorza cheese is a smoked white semi-soft cheese.  It is possible to substitute with a good, well-drained mozzarella.
 
Variations:
  1. Replace the cherry tomatoes with 2 grilled peppers cut to strips and add 20 grams of anchovy fillets in oil.
  2. Substitute Scamorza with Mozzarella or Taleggio cheese and substitute the oregano with rosemary.  Or just add the rosemary.
  3. Substitute the capers with thinly sliced red onions.
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Capellini with Arugula

6/3/2020

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Picture
Serves 4
1 pound dried capellini
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup chicken broth
2 teaspoon fresh chopped basil
¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus additional for finishing
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus additional for finishing
1 cup baby arugula
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
½ lemon

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. ​Place capellini in the boiling water, stir well and cook until al dente
  3. While the pasta is cooking, heat oil and butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  4. ​​Stir in garlic, lemon peel, lemon juice, broth, basil, salt and pepper and raise heat to medium-high. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.
  5. Drain pasta, return it to its cooking pot and immediately pour the heated sauce over it, along with the arugula and parsley. Gently toss the pasta and sauce together. Transfer pasta to heated serving bowl. Top with grated cheese, a light sprinkling of salt and freshly ground pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Gingered Zoodles with Ramps, Mushrooms and Tomatoes

5/1/2019

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Picture
Serves 2
1 tablespoon good green olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
6 to 8 ramps, stem and bulb minced, leaves separated and slice lengthwise
1 cup dry white wine
12 oz. firm mushrooms, sliced
2 cups diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 12 oz. zoodles, approximately 3 small to medium zucchini, spiralized
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese


  1. Leave the zucchini out for an hour to become completely room temperature.
  2. ​Add the oil and the butter to a large saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add the ginger to the liquids and sauté until fragrant.
  4. ​Set aside the ramp leaves and add the diced stem and bulb to the saucepan. Sauté until transparent.
  5. Add the mushrooms to the saucepan and sauté until the have released and reabsorbed their liquid, approximately 4 to 6 minutes.
  6. ​Add the wine to the saucepan and cook until reduced by half.
  7. Add the tomatoes and the ramp leaves to the saucepan and cook, stirring lightly, for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. ​Turn the heat off and add the zoodles to the saucepan. Toss with the vegetables quickly for maybe 30 seconds.
  9. Transfer to serving bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
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ROASTED PARMESAN CAULIFLOWER

9/27/2017

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Picture
Adapted from Masseria dei Vini
Serves 4 to 6
 
1 large cauliflower head, trimmed of leaves and rinsed
1 – 1¼ cup of heavy cream
¼ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons of finely minced shallots
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon white pepper
1 – 1½ cups aged Parmesan cheese, shredded works better than grated.
 
  1. Steam or roast whole cauliflower head until it can be centrally pierced with a thin skewer just readily.  You need it to remain firm rather than soft.  Basket steamers are best.
  2. Allow the cauliflower to return to room temperature.
  3. Slice thick slices through the head, at least 1½ to 2 inches thick.  Place in table ready roasting or casserole dish in a single layer.
  4. Preheat oven to 350º.
  5. Slowly heat the cream and wine in a small saucepan.  Add the shallots, nutmeg, salt and white pepper and whisk until thoroughly blended.
  6. Continue to simmer while whisking until the sauce thickens or is reduced by about a third.
  7. Remove the saucepan from the heat.  Slowly add the cheese and continue to whisk.
  8. Gently pour or ladle the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and roast for 15 minutes in the middle of the oven.
  9. Without raising the dish to a higher level in the oven, turn the broiler on to turn the cauliflower a golden brown.  Five minutes should do it.  Serve immediately.
 
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SPINACH CANNELLINI BRUSCHETTA

7/26/2017

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Picture
​Makes 2 cups
 
1 -15 oz. can of cannellini beans, well rinsed and drained
4-6 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
4 cups spinach leaves, washed and dried
½ cup parsley, shredded
1 small clove garlic, pressed or minced
¼ cup green olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon pignoli nuts
Sliced Italian bread
 
  1. In a dry, non-stick pan, toast the pignoli nuts for 1 to 2 minutes.  Set aside.
  2. Place the beans, spinach, cheese, parsley, garlic salt and pepper in a blender or food processer.  Mix or pulse until well blended.
  3. Add half the oil and all of the lemon juice and mix or pulse again.
  4. Adjust the seasoning and add additional oil if needed.
  5. Toast the bread until golden brown.
  6. Spoon the spinach mixture on each piece of toast and top with the toasted pignoli nuts.
 
Variations: 
Mashed avocado and bacon bits together, spread on toast and top with cherry tomatoes.
Spread a basil pesto on toast and top with a thick slice of ripe tomato and a tiny basil leaf.
Blend cooked asparagus, ricotta and a drop of lemon juice and spread on toast.
Etcetera, etcetera.............
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  • Home
  • Updates
    • Recipes
    • Through the Kitchen Window
    • A Practical Cat's Book of Household Clues
  • Inside the Market
    • Schedule and Directions
    • Vendors
    • Featured Guests
  • More Info
    • Join the Market
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Winter Harvest 2020