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Beef and Roasted Root Stew with Black Butte Porter

Beef and Roasted Root Stew with Black Butte Porter

Beef and Roasted Root Stew with Black Butte Porter (PNW)

1 ½ T. flour

4 C. beef stock

2 lb. beef stew meat

1 C. Deschuetes Black Butte porter beer

3 garlic cloves

2 shallots, sliced

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

1 C. sliced mushrooms

2 celery stalks, diced

2 T. tomato paste

1 T. Balsamic Vinegar

3 sprigs fresh thyme

 

In a small bowl, mix flour with beef stock until smooth. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and set on low for 8 hours. Once complete, remove thyme sprigs, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Northwest Clam Chowder with Oyster Mushrooms

Northwest Clam Chowder with Oyster Mushrooms

 

3 pounds Manila, Pacific littleneck, Washington butter, or other small hard-shell clams

4 C. water

6 bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium onion, diced

2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 C. half-and-half

1 tsp. coarse salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 C. loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, chopped

4 ounces fresh oyster mushrooms, separated into pieces

Garnish: fresh oyster mushrooms

Garnish: fresh oyster mushrooms

Preparation

 

Wash clams thoroughly, discarding any opened shells; place in a stockpot. Add 4 C. water; cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 5 minutes or until shells open, discarding any unopened clams. Remove clams with a slotted spoon, and place in a large bowl. Cool. Remove clam meat from shell, reserving any juice. Coarsely chop clams, and set aside. Pour liquid through a wire-mesh strainer into a 4-C. liquid measuring C., discarding solids. Reserve 3 C. liquid. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven until crisp; remove bacon, reserving 2 T. drippings in pan. Add onion and thyme, and sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add potatoes, 3 C. reserved clam liquid, half-and-half, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 7 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in bacon, clams, parsley, and separated mushrooms; serve immediately. Garnish with fresh oyster mushrooms.

Stinging Nettle Pesto

Stinging Nettle Pesto

Stinging Nettle Pesto

6 C. stinging nettles (about one bunch), stems carefully removed — they do sting

1/2 C. Parmesan

1/2 C. pine nuts or walnuts, lightly toasted

4-5 garlic cloves, peeled

1/2 C. olive oil

1 T. lemon juice

salt and pepper, to taste

 

Bring a large, salted pot of water to a boil. Add the nettles and blanch for about one minute. Transfer to a colander to drain. Once cooled a bit, give the nettles a squeeze to wring out additional water.  Add the nettles, nuts, Parmesan, garlic and lemon juice to a food processor and pulse a few times. Add about half the olive oil and process again. Season with salt and pepper and add the remaining olive oil; process until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. Makes about 2 C. of pesto.

Stinging Nettle Pesto with Seared Scallops

Stinging Nettle Pesto with Seared Scallops

Stinging Nettle Pesto with Seared Scallops

Nettles—weeds that grow throughout the United States—are like something out of a scary children’s story. Their leaves are serrated like teeth and they’re covered with spiky hairs that sting on contact. But the sting is fleeting, and the antidote is the juice of the nettles’ own leaves. Boiled briefly, nettles turn into a rich green vegetable much like spinach. Farmed bay scallops are a good seafood choice because they don’t require antibiotics or other chemical treatment and they clean the surrounding water by filtering out matter.

 

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ lb. stinging nettles

¼ C. fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

1 clove garlic, minced

½ C. pine nuts, toasted

¼ C. lemon juice

â…“ C. plus 3 T. olive oil

¼ C. firmly packed grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

16 farmed bay scallops

 

Fill a large pot halfway full of water. Add 1/4 C. salt and bring to a boil. Fill the sink or a large bowl with cold water. Using gloves or tongs, submerge the nettles in the water and let them sit for 5 minutes. Remove the nettles and discard the water. Wearing rubber gloves, pull the leaves off the stems and discard the stems. Put the nettles in the boiling water and boil for 1 minute. Drain and spread the nettles on a baking sheet. Let cool completely. Squeeze out as much of the water as possible and coarsely chop. Place the nettles in the bowl of a food processor with the mint, garlic, pine nuts, and 2 T. of the lemon juice. Process until the mixture has formed a paste. With the machine running, pour in1/3 C. olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside. Slice off the small side muscle from the scallops, then rinse in cold water and thoroughly pat dry. Season with salt on both sides. Heat a skillet for about 1 minute. Add the 3 T. olive oil and test to make sure it’s hot (a drop of liquid should sizzle when it hits the skillet). Place the scallops in the skillet. They should have plenty of room so that they sear instead of steam. If the skillet is small, sear them in batches. Cook the first side for 1 1/2 minutes, then flip and cook the second side for 1 minute. When done, the scallops should have a brown crust but still be translucent in the center.  Place 4 scallops on a plate and top each with a tsp. of pesto. Season with the remaining lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with a few small mint leaves.

Cherry Quinoa

Cherry Quinoa

1/2 C. chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T. vegetable oil

1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth

1 C. quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 T. chopped Anaheim pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

2 C. pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries

8 oz. small cooked peeled shrimp

1/4 C. chopped parsley

Prepared salsa, optional

 

Sauté onion and garlic in oil; add broth, quinoa, Anaheim pepper, salt and ground pepper. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12 to 18 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff mixture with a fork and gently stir in cherries, shrimp and parsley. Serve with salsa, if desired.

 

Gourmet Oregon Hazelnut Butter

Gourmet Oregon Hazelnut Butter

Gourmet Oregon Hazelnut Butter

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/3 cup Oregon hazelnuts, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

dash celery salt

dash cayenne pepper

 

Soften butter or margarine until just workable. Add other ingredients and thoroughly blend together. Serve at room temperature to top fish, chicken or warm vegetables. Will top six salmon steaks generously.

Horseradish-crusted Chinook Salmon with Braised Greens and Roasted New Potatoes

Horseradish-crusted Chinook Salmon with Braised Greens and Roasted New Potatoes

Horseradish-crusted Chinook Salmon with Braised Greens and Roasted New Potatoes

Oil

Salt and pepper

8 new potatoes, halved

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic, plus 1 tablespoon

1 cup Japanese-style bread crumbs (recommended: panko)

3 ounces extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 ounce

4 to 6 Chinook salmon fillets, (recommended: pave cut 2 inches by 2 inches by 1 inch)

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup fish stock or clam juice

2 quarts mixed braising greens (chard, kale, mustard greens, and endive)

1 lemon, juiced

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and coat a baking sheet with oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes, cut side down, on the tray and place in the preheated oven. Roast until just golden brown and just tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven and hold them in a warm place. Mix the horseradish, parsley, lemon zest, mustard, and 2 tablespoons of garlic in a small bowl. When it is evenly combined, add the bread crumbs and toss them gently. Drizzle 3 ounces of the olive oil over the crumb mixture and stir gently taking care not to break up the crumbs or make the mixture too heavy. Season the mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper then heat the canola oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. When the oil just begins to smoke, sear the salmon paves, topside down, 2 pieces at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a lightly greased baking tin, placing the seared side up and repeat the process with the other 2 pieces of salmon. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the fish creating an even layer 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick. Roast the salmon until the crust is golden brown and fish is just firm, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. While the salmon is baking, bring the fish stock, remaining 1 ounce olive oil, and remaining tablespoon of garlic to a boil in a non-reactive saucepan. Then add the braising greens, cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the greens are wilted. Add the lemon juice and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Arrange the greens in the center of 4 shallow bowls surrounded by the roasted potatoes and braising liquid. Top each with a roasted pave of salmon.

Cherry Turkey Sauté

Cherry Turkey Sauté

12 oz. boneless, skinless turkey breast, cut into 2 x 1/2 x 1/2-inch strips

1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1 T. vegetable oil

1 C. each diagonally sliced celery and thin julienne carrots

1-1/2 C. pitted fresh sweet Northwest cherries

3 C. warm cooked brown rice

*1/4 tsp. crushed dried rosemary may be substituted.

 

Season turkey with rosemary, salt and pepper. Heat oil in wok or large skillet. Add turkey; sauté until no longer pink. Remove turkey from wok. Sauté vegetables until crisp-tender. Return turkey to wok; add cherries and saut? only until thoroughly heated. Serve on cooked brown rice.  Saucy version: If sauce is desired, combine 1/4 C. chicken broth (or 3 T. water and 1 T. dry white wine) and 1 tsp. cornstarch; add to above recipe with cherries. Sauté until sauce thickens and coats ingredients.

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Filling:

3 C. blueberries

1 C. cranberries

1/2 tsp. lavender flowers

3/4 C. sugar

 

Topping:

1-1/2 C. crushed oatmeal graham crackers

1/2 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. melted butter

1/2 C. sliced almonds

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Combine blueberries, cranberries, lavender flowers, and sugar. Mix well and pour into an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Combine crushed crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and sliced almonds. Crumble over the top of the filling.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until filling is bubbly. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Wild Rice with Cherries and Hazelnuts

Wild Rice with Cherries and Hazelnuts

Wild Rice with Cherries and Hazelnuts

1 C. wild rice

2-1/2 C. water

1/4 tsp. salt

Brown sugar or pure maple syrup

1/2 C. dried cherries

1/2 C. chopped hazelnuts, lightly toasted

Milk, soy milk, or cream

 

Place the wild rice, water, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. When it reaches a boil, cover the pot, and lower the heat to a bare simmer. Cook for 1-1/4 hours, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender and has “butterflied,” or burst open. (If the grain has become tender but there is still water left, drain it off.)  Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar or maple syrup and the cherries.  Serve hot, topped with chopped hazelnuts and the milk of your choice.

Fusilli with Ricotta, Pancetta and Spicy Rapini

Fusilli with Ricotta, Pancetta and Spicy Rapini

Fusilli with Ricotta, Pancetta and Spicy Rapini

1/2 pound fusilli (fun corkscrew shape) or other pasta

sunflower oil

two thick slices pancetta or bacon, chopped

1 small yellow onion, chopped coarsely

about 1/2 pound spicy rapini, (broccolini) washed and chopped coarsely

2 garlic cloves, chopped fine

a few pinches red pepper flakes

1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped

1/2 cup ricotta

freshly-grated pecorino cheese

 

Bring water to a boil and cook the pasta to your desired tenderness.  Drain and toss with a little oil.  In the meantime, heat a bit of oil in a large, heavy skillet.  Fry the pancetta, stirring a few times, for a couple of minutes.  Add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally (add a bit of oil if the pancetta hasn’t released enough grease to keep the onions from sticking to the pan), for about 10 minutes, until the onions are quite soft and a bit browned.  Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook about a minute, then add the arugula (still a bit wet from the washing).  Cook until wilted and tender, about 3 minutes.  Add the cooked pasta directly to the pan, then stir in the hazelnuts, ricotta, and grated cheese.  Remove from heat and serve (2 – 4, depending on your appetite).  Season with salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste.

 

Wild Mushroom Toast with Brown Butter, Ricotta and Parsley 

Wild Mushroom Toast with Brown Butter, Ricotta and Parsley 

Wild Mushroom Toast with Brown Butter, Ricotta and Parsley

 

A simple mushroom toast with creamy ricotta, crispy caramelized wild mushrooms, brown butter and a splash of sherry vinegar. Top it with fresh parsley and parmesan for an easy appetizer.

4 1-inch thick slices crusty bread

6 T. olive oil, divided

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

1 lb. mixed wild mushrooms, roughly chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, divided

2 T. butter, divided

4 tsp sherry vinegar, divided

1 C. ricotta

shaved parmesan, for topping

chopped fresh parsley, for topping

 

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Arrange bread on a parchment lined baking sheet, drizzle with oil and season with salt and black pepper. Toss to coat both sides. Bake until bread is golden on the edges but still springy in the center, about 8 minutes. Halve 1 garlic clove and rub the cut edges on the toasts. Set aside while you prepare the mushrooms. Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add 2 T. of olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add half of the mushrooms and spread into an even layer. Cook without stirring, about 3 minutes, or until bottoms have browned and caramelized.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, toss in one garlic clove and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium, add 1 T. of butter and 1/2 tsp. of thyme. Cook and stir mushrooms until butter begins to brown and smell nutty, about 5 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and discard garlic clove. Repeat process with remaining mushrooms, garlic, thyme and butter. To serve, divide ricotta across toasted bread slices and spoon mushrooms over top. Sprinkle a tsp. of sherry vinegar over each toast then top with shaved parmesan and parsley. Enjoy immediately.

Meyer Lemon Risotto with Dungeness Crab, Tarragon, and Crème Fraîche

Meyer Lemon Risotto with Dungeness Crab, Tarragon, and Crème Fraîche

Meyer Lemon Risotto with Dungeness Crab, Tarragon, and Crème Fraiche

5 to 6 cups lightly flavored vegetable broth

1 Meyer lemon, peel removed with a vegetable peeler (reserve both the fruit and the peel)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, cut into ½-inch dice (about 1 cup)

1 stalk green garlic, bulb and tender green parts finely chopped, or 1 large clove garlic, finely minced

1 ½ cups arborio rice

½ cup dry white wine or vermouth

8 ounces fresh crabmeat

1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely grated (about ½ cup)

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh tarragon, plus additional for garnish

¼ cup crème fraiche

¼ cup finely minced fresh chives

 

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the broth to a simmer. Add the lemon peel and remove the pan from the heat. Cover and set aside. In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the oil and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the garlic and rice, and stir until the rice smells slightly toasty, about 4 minutes. Add the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it is reduced to a glaze, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the warm broth, stir to cover the grains, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the broth is almost entirely absorbed before adding more. Repeat while continuing to stir until only about ½ cup of the broth remains, or the rice is creamy and cooked through, about 45 minutes. Reserve the broth. Remove the peel from the broth and finely mince it. Section the lemon and finely chop the pulp, removing any seeds. Stir the peel and pulp into the rice and cook until they are warmed through, about 3 minutes. Stir in the crabmeat, cheese, and tarragon, adding a little bit of broth if necessary to loosen the risotto. When the cheese is melted and the crab is well distributed and warm, after about 3 minutes, stir in the Crème Fraîche. Serve immediately, garnished with the chives and tarragon leaves.

Hazelnut Squash Soup

Hazelnut Squash Soup

Hazelnut Squash Soup

1-1/2 cups mashed, cooked squash or 1 package (12 oz.) frozen cooked squash

1 cup finely chopped Oregon hazelnuts (4 oz.)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 quart chicken broth or stock

salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons sherry

 

Combine squash, hazelnuts, onion and broth in saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt to taste, pepper, butter and sherry. Garnish with roasted and sliced hazelnuts, if desired.

Oregon IPA Cheddar Soup with Garlic Hazelnuts

Oregon IPA Cheddar Soup with Garlic Hazelnuts

Oregon IPA Cheddar Soup with Garlic Hazelnuts

1 cup roasted hazelnuts halved or roughly chopped

4 garlic cloves, grated

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

12 ounces Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

8 ounces Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded

4 ounces Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese, shredded

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

 

Add the hazelnuts, 1 clove of garlic, and 2 teaspoons of butter to a medium skillet. Heat over medium high and toss gently to melt the butter and gently cook the garlic as it coats the nuts. Cook for about 1 minute and remove from the heat. Melt the remaining butter in a small soup pot over medium heat and add the remaining garlic. Let cook until it just begins to sizzle, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the beer. Return the pan to medium heat. Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small dish. Pour this into the warming beer and whisk. Continue to whisk as the beer heats and the liquid thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Turn the heat to low. Add the cheeses a handful at a time and whisk the soup well to melt the cheese. Once the cheeses are smooth. Remove the soup from the heat. Ladle into 4 small bowls and top each with garlic hazelnuts and fresh chives before serving.

Northwest Grilled Flank Steak

Northwest Grilled Flank Steak

2 pounds beef flank steak, fat trimmed

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup minced green onions

3 tablespoons sesame seeds

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Rinse flank steak and pat dry. In a 1-gallon zip-lock plastic bag or a large bowl, mix soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, green onions, sesame seeds, garlic, pepper, and ginger. Add steak, seal bag or cover bowl tightly, and chill, turning meat occasionally, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days. Lift steak from marinade and let drain briefly. Place meat on a grill over a solid bed of medium-hot coals or medium-high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 3 to 4 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook steak, turning occasionally to brown evenly, until medium-rare (still pink in the center; cut to test), 9 to 12 minutes. Transfer steak to a platter and let stand 10 minutes. Cut meat across the grain into thin, slanting slices.

Pine Nut-crusted Pacific Salmon over Wilted Escarole

Pine Nut-crusted Pacific Salmon over Wilted Escarole

 

1/2 cup finely chopped pine nuts

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon white pepper, divided

6 (7-ounce) skinless salmon fillets

Olive oil-flavored cooking spray

1 tablespoon olive oil

Wilted Escarole

Basil Oil

 

Combine pine nuts, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon nut mixture over each fillet. Coat with cooking spray. Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Place half of fillets, nut side down, in skillet. Cook 3 minutes or until nuts are lightly browned. Remove from skillet. Place salmon, nut side up, in a 15- x 10-inch jellyroll pan coated with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining fillets. Sprinkle fillets with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Bake at 400° for 11 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. Serve over Wilted Escarole. Drizzle with Basil Oil.

Wild Pacific Salmon with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Wild Pacific Salmon with Creamy Avocado Sauce

6 wild pacific salmon fillets (6 ounces each), about 1″ thick 

1/2 large avocado, peeled, pitted, and quartered 

1/4 C. fat-free sour cream 

1 T. reduced-fat mayonnaise 

1 tsp. lemon juice 

1 tsp. minced garlic 

1/4 tsp. hot-pepper sauce 

1/4 tsp. worcestershire sauce 

1/4 tsp. salt 

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 

 

Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on an aluminum foil–lined baking sheet. Coat the fish with vegetable oil spray. Preheat the broiler. Cook the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque. While the fish is cooking, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the avocado, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, hot-pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Process, scraping down the bowl occasionally, until the mixture is smooth. With a spatula, lift each salmon fillet away from the skin and set on dinner plates. Serve a dollop of the sauce with each salmon fillet.

 

Yield: 6 servings

Calories: 290

Fat: 13g

Oregon Blueberry Chutney

Oregon Blueberry Chutney

4 cups Oregon blueberries
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup raisins
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons Madras curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

In a medium non-corrosive saucepan, combine all chutney ingredients, except mint, and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and cook gently until onions are tender and chutney has thickened, 25-30 minutes. Stir often to avoid scorching. Remove from heat and allow to cool before adding mint. Also serve as sauce on grilled salmon, poultry, pork or Ahi tuna.

Serving Size: 1 T.
Calories: 17
Fat: 0g
Fiber: 0g

Spiced Gooseberry Sauce

Spiced Gooseberry Sauce

1 can (16.5 ounces) Oregon Gooseberries
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

Drain gooseberries, reserving syrup. Combine gooseberry syrup, sugar, cornstarch, spices and salt in small saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and clear. Stir in gooseberries and heat through. Serve spiced gooseberry sauce warm with meat or poultry.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups
Serving Size: 1/2 C.

Calories: 88
Fat: 0g
Fiber: 4g

Red, White and Blue Salad

Red, White and Blue Salad

1 C. pitted and chopped Northwest fresh sweet red cherries

1 C. pitted and chopped Northwest Rainier cherries

1 large Northwest white peach*, pitted and cubed (about a C.)

1 C. fresh blueberries

Minted Honey Lemon Dressing

 

*Casaba melon, lichee, julienne jicama or cubed jack, swiss, mozzarella or cream cheese can be substituted. Toss together cherries, peach and blueberries. Sprinkle with dressing and toss gently.

 

Minted Honey Lemon Dressing.

 

Combine 2 T. fresh lemon juice, 1 T. each honey and olive oil, 2 tsp. chopped fresh mint and 1/4 tsp. salt. Mix well. Makes 1/4 C.

PNW Pale Ale Oven-Roasted Clams

PNW Pale Ale Oven-Roasted Clams

PNW Pale Ale Oven-Roasted Clams

2 pounds small Manila Clams

1 T. Garlic, freshly minced

¼ tsp. Red pepper flakes

2 Plum tomatoes, chopped

1 tsp.  Rosemary, freshly minced

½ Lemon, cut into fourths

¼ C. Pale ale beer

2 T. Butter

1 sprig Rosemary

 

Preheat oven to 500°F.  In a large bowl, toss the clams, garlic, pepper flakes, tomatoes, and minced rosemary.  Transfer to a cast-iron skillet.  Squeeze the lemon wedges over the clam mixture, and then drop the wedges into the dish.  Pour the beer over the clams.  Scatter the butter in pieces over the clams.

Place the rosemary spring in the center.  Roast for 14 to 15 minutes for small clams, or about 20 minutes for larger clams, until they open.  Remove from the oven and stir with a large spoon.  Discard any clams that do not open.

PNW Creamy Razor Clam Linguine with Parsley and Chives

PNW Creamy Razor Clam Linguine with Parsley and Chives

PNW Creamy Razor Clam Linguine with Parsley and Chives

1 1/2 C. razor clams, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

10 ounces linguine

1/4 C. butter

1/4 C. olive oil

1 C. onion, diced

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

1 C. white wine

2 C. tomatoes, diced

1 T. oregano, chopped (optional)

1 C. parsley, chopped

2 T. basil, chopped (optional)

saffron or red pepper flakes (optional)

1/3 C. Parmesan, grated

 

In a large saucepan, sweat the onions and garlic over medium heat in the butter and olive oil. Add wine (I add several strands of saffron to the wine half an hour beforehand) and cook for a few minutes, then add tomatoes and oregano and simmer 10–15 minutes. If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water. If using fresh pasta, add the razor clams to sauce when putting pasta into boiling water; if pasta is dried, wait until it is half-cooked and then add clams to sauce. The razors only need a few minutes of cooking. Drain and toss pasta in a large bowl with sauce, parsley and any other herbs. Serve with Parmesan.

Oregon Blueberry Ice Cream

Oregon Blueberry Ice Cream

2 pints Oregon blueberries

1 quart whole cream

2 egg yolks or equivalent pasteurized egg substitute

¾-C. sugar

¼-C. water

1 lemon, juice & zest

Pinch salt

 

Pick through Oregon Blueberries to remove any stems. Simultaneously melt sugar into water, lemon juice and zest to approximately 125°. In another pan, heat cream to about 100°. Purée berries. Add puréed blueberries to simple syrup mixture while still 125° until bright blue not cooked.  In a large mixing bowl combine beaten yolks or egg substitute and a pinch of salt. Then slowly mix cream and yolks together, whisking constantly. Now add Oregon Blueberries to cream mixture. Place in refrigerator for 45 minutes to chill. For best results, use a 5-quart ice cream maker with an electric motor top and wooden bucket. Chill to 45° with lots of ice and rock salt.

Oregon Blueberry Coulis

Oregon Blueberry Coulis

2 C. Oregon blueberries

1/3 C. sugar

1 T. balsamic vinegar

1 T. lime or lemon juice

 

Blend all ingredients in food processor about 3 minutes. Strain to remove pulp. Refrigerate.

Fiddlehead Fern Fritters with Ad Hoc Green Sauce

Fiddlehead Fern Fritters with Ad Hoc Green Sauce

fiddlehead fern fritters with ad hoc green sauce

3 cups (about 2 bunches) leafy herbs: any combination of cilantro, basil, mint, and/or parsley, washed, dried, and stemmed

1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled ginger

Juice of 1 lime, plus more as needed

1/4 jalapeno pepper, seeded (optional)

1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

1/4 to 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

 

1 cup chickpea flour (also sold as gram flour)

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 teaspoon dried dill

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

A few pinches of ground cayenne

3/4 to 1 cup cold water

1/2 pound Ladyfern or Ostrich fiddlehead ferns (50 to 60 pieces)

2 cups neutral oil

Coarse sea salt, for finishing

 

To make the sauce, combine the herbs, garlic, ginger, lime juice, jalapeno, and oregano in the bowl of a food processor or blender and whiz until smooth and well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add V4 cup of the olive oil, and process again until blended. If the sauce seems too thick, add the remaining olive oil gradually. Season with the salt. Taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed. To make the fritters, in a large bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, salt, dill, coriander, baking powder, black pepper, and cayenne with a fork until well mixed. Add % cup of the cold water, stirring until absorbed. Add more water as needed; you want it to resemble pancake batter—neither too thick nor too thin. Stir in the fiddlehead ferns until well coated and let sit until you’re ready to fry. Place a wire rack on a sheet pan or arrange a few paper towels under the rack to catch any oil. Heat the oil in a 10- or 12-inch skillet over high heat to 275 to 300 degrees F. (A candy thermometer is helpful here.) The oil is ready when a drop of batter bubbles immediately upon contact. Using tongs and in small batches, drop the battered fiddleheads into the oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 90 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fritters to the rack to drain. Skim and discard any burned bits floating in the oil.

Sprinkle the fritters with the salt and eat while still warm, served with the sauce.

Savory Oregon Blueberry Sauce

Savory Oregon Blueberry Sauce

1½-C. Oregon blueberries

2 T. chopped shallots or onions

2 T. butter or margarine

2 T. flour

½-tsp. dried thyme, crushed

¼-tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

½-C. dry red wine

½-C. water

 

Sauté shallots in butter or margarine in small saucepan. Add flour and herbs. Cook and stir until mixture bubbles and thickens. Gradually add wine and water. Stir in Oregon Blueberries. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and boils. Simmer 2 minutes. Makes 2½-C.

Velvety Asparagus-Mint Soup With Lavender-Lemon Goat Cheese

Velvety Asparagus-Mint Soup With Lavender-Lemon Goat Cheese

Velvety Asparagus-Mint Soup With Lavender-Lemon Goat Cheese

Winter may not be as cold in the Northwest as other parts of the country, but it sure is dark. We get pretty excited at the sight of green stalks and leafy herbs; it means the days are getting longer and brighter. This soup is a mouthful of green — leek, asparagus, mint, and tarragon—bolstered by the thickening power of potatoes. If you’ve got sorrel growing in the yard or have access to wild watercress, feel free to throw some into the pot as well. Although this green soup is plenty good on its own, the lavender-lemon goat cheese, added just before serving, transforms it into a luxurious ride.

 

4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) plain goat cheese

3/4 teaspoon finely chopped dried culinary lavender

Grated or minced zest of 2 medium lemons

3 medium-starch potatoes (about 1-1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

3 cups water

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 pound leeks, white and light green parts only, washed thoroughly and cut into 1/2-inch rounds

1 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces

4- to 5-inch piece Parmigiano-Reggiano rind (optional, see note)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup sorrel or watercress (optional)

1/2 cup whole mint leaves

1 T. fresh tarragon leaves, stemmed

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 baguette or favorite crusty loaf, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (optional)

 

Put the goat cheese in a small bowl and mash until soft and malleable. (You can also do this in a food processor.) Stir in the lavender and half of the lemon zest until evenly distributed. Shape the cheese into a log and wrap in parchment paper, twisting each end tightly like a candy wrapper. Place the cheese in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Put the potatoes, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a medium saucepan and cover with the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover, reduce the heat to medium low, and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes with garlic to a medium bowl, and reserve the cooking water. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat, tilting the pan to coat. Add the leeks and stir to coat with the oil. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and 5 cups liquid — measure out the reserved potato water and add enough tap water to equal 5 cups. Add the cheese rind, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, uncovered, until the asparagus is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the sorrel to the pot at around minute 8 of cooking. Meanwhile, arrange the baguette slices on a sheet pan and toast until crisp in the oven, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the cheese rind from the pot and stir in the mint, tarragon, and remaining lemon zest. Puree the soup until smooth using an immersion or stand blender (be careful of spattering hot liquid and be sure to only fill the stand blender halfway). Return the soup to the pot and gently rewarm over low heat. Gradually add the lemon juice, tasting for acidity, and season with additional salt as needed. To serve, ladle the puree into six bowls. Using a serrated knife, cut the goat cheese log into 1/4-inch rounds and smear over each crostini, floating them in the soup bowls, or simply drop one or two cheese rounds into each bowl. The puree reheats well and will keep for about 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Transfer the patties to a sheet pan and place into the oven to keep warm until serving. The patties will be slightly soft on the inside with a firm, crusty coating. NOTE: If you have a Parm rind on hand, feel free to use it for an umami boost; if not, though, no worries — the soup will still be lovely.

Oregon Blueberry Calfoutis

Oregon Blueberry Calfoutis

1 pound Oregon blueberries

3 T. sliced almonds

3 T. unsalted melted butter

¾ C. sugar

¼ tsp. salt

4 large eggs

3 egg yolks

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ C. brandy

1¼ C. whipping cream

2/3 C. all purpose flour

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Place almonds on baking sheet and toast until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Coat six 4½x5½-inch baking dishes with butter and set aside. Place flour, 2/3 C. sugar, salt and almonds in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is finely ground and transfer to medium bowl. Add eggs, egg yolks, ¾ C. cream and vanilla to flour mixture. Whisk until smooth. Refrigerate bowl for 30 minutes. Wash and dry Oregon blueberries and place in a medium bowl. Add brandy and allow to marinate for 30 minutes. Divide the blueberries evenly among the baking dishes. Whisk butter into the batter and pour it over the blueberries. Place dishes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle dishes with remaining sugar. Bake until tops are golden and bubbling, about 15 minutes more. Whip the remaining cream. Serve calfoutis warm and topped with whipped cream.

Oregon Blueberry-Lemon Squares

Oregon Blueberry-Lemon Squares

2 C. rinsed Oregon blueberries

2¼ C. all-purpose flour

½ C. powdered sugar

1 C. (½ lb.) butter

4 large eggs

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

1/3 C. lemon juice

1 C. granulated sugar

½ tsp. baking powder

 

Mix flour and ½ C. powdered sugar until blended. Mix in butter, cut into small pieces with a large fork until dough holds together when squeezed. Press evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Bake in a 350° oven until crust is golden brown, usually 20-25 minutes. While the crust is baking, whisk eggs together with granulated sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir in Oregon blueberries. Pour egg mixture over warm, baked crust. Return to the oven and bake until the filling is firm and does not move when gently shaken, usually 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with tsp. powdered sugar and let cool at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

Neskowin Blueberry Salmon

Neskowin Blueberry Salmon

1 C. Oregon blueberries

2 Chinook salmon filets, 6-8 oz. Each

½ fresh ruby red grapefruit

½ C. crushed pineapple

2 fresh limes

fresh ground black pepper

½ tsp. chili powder

1 small Anaheim chile

2 T. butter

¾ C. brown sugar

 

Generously butter a glass baking dish and spread pineapple in the dish. Sprinkle liberally with fresh ground black pepper. Slice the chili into very thin rings and arrange over the pineapple. Squeeze the juice of two limes over the chili slices, then lay the salmon filets over the sliced chile. Peel and trim the grapefruit, and cut it into bite-size chunks and arrange those over the salmon. Top with Oregon blueberries, sprinkle with brown sugar, and season generously with chili powder. Bake at 425° till top is bubbly and salmon is opaque. Serve with rice and fresh steamed asparagus or artichokes.

Oregon Style Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Cranberries, Oregon Hash with Wild Mushrooms, Greens, Beets, Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese, Charred Whole Grain Bread with Butter and Chives

Oregon Style Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Cranberries, Oregon Hash with Wild Mushrooms, Greens, Beets, Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese, Charred Whole Grain Bread with Butter and Chives

4 (1 1/2-inch thick) boneless pork loin chops

Salt and pepper

4 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan

2 leeks

1 C. hazelnut or filbert nut pieces

1/2 C. dried sweetened cranberries

1 C. Pinot Noir (recommended: Willamette Valley Oregon)

1 C. chicken stock

1/2 stick butter, divided

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 lb. crimini (baby portobello) mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

1/2 lb. shiitake mushroom caps, sliced

1 bunch kale, chopped, 4 to 5 C.

1 (15-oz.) can sliced beets, drained

8 oz. blue cheese crumbles (recommended: Oregon)

1 loaf crusty whole-grain bread

3 T. chopped chives

 

Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Season chops with salt and pepper. Add 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil to the hot skillet and the chops. Cook chops 3 to 4 minutes on each side. While they cook, split leeks lengthwise, slice in 1/2-inch half-moon pieces and wash vigorously under running water in a colander to release sand. Shake to dry. Preheat a second large skillet for your hash over medium-high heat. Add nuts to the skillet and brown 2 to 3 minutes then remove and reserve them. To chop skillet, add another T. extra and the leeks. Cook the leeks until tender, 5 minutes. Add cranberries and Pinot Noir to the pan. Scrape up the pan drippings and stir in chicken stock. When sauce comes up to a bubble, add the chops back to the pan and reduce heat to simmer. Finish cooking chops through, 10 minutes. To the hash skillet, add a T. extra-virgin olive oil and 1 T. butter. When butter melts into oil, add shallots then mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, then add kale. Wilt the kale into the pan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. When kale is hot and wilted, add beets and gently combine. Adjust seasonings. Preheat broiler. Pull chops from their sauce. Raise heat and bring back to a bubble. Cut off 4 thick slices of whole-grain bread. Char bread under broiler on each side while you finish the sauce. Add 2 T. butter to the sauce to give it gloss and weight and turn off heat. Pour sauce over the chops. Serve hash alongside the chops and top with crumbles of blue cheese and reserved nuts. Spread charred bread with remaining butter and sprinkle liberally with chopped chives.

Blueberry Vinegar

Blueberry Vinegar

2 pints Oregon blueberries, rinsed and drained

1 quart white vinegar, divided

½-C. granulated sugar

 

At least two days in advance of use, make blueberry vinegar. Place Oregon blueberries, 1½- C. vinegar and sugar in saucepan; simmer gently for 5 minutes. Cool. Pour into 1½-quart jar with remaining white vinegar. Cover and stand at least 2 days. Strain vinegar as it is used, but do not discard blueberries. Store in refrigerator.

Fresh Northwest Cherry Salsa

Fresh Northwest Cherry Salsa

1 C. pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries

2 T. chopped fresh basil

2 T. finely chopped green peppers

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. each Worcestershire sauce and grated lemon peel

1/8 tsp. salt

Dash bottled hot pepper sauce

 

Chop cherries in food processor or manually. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Makes 2 servings.

 

Cherry-Citrus Punch

Cherry-Citrus Punch

2 C. Northwest sweet cherries, pitted

2 C. chilled orange juice

2 C. chilled lemon-lime flavored soda

1 (8-oz.) can pineapple chunks in juice, chilled, undrained

1 orange, peeled and sectioned

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Place cherries in single layer on baking sheet, freeze until firm. Blend orange juice, soda, pineapple with juice and orange sections in a pitcher. Pour into glasses to within 2 inches of top. Divide frozen cherries between glasses. Serve with spoons

Cherry Glazed Baked Chicken

Cherry Glazed Baked Chicken

1 can (16-oz.) pitted dark sweet cherries

1 T. olive oil

1/2 C. chopped onion

1 T. chopped garlic

1/4 C. honey

2 T. rice vinegar

2 tsp. hot mustard

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 C. dried tart cherries

6 (6 1/2 oz. each) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Salt and pepper to taste

6 rosemary sprigs for garnish

 

Heat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with foil and spray foil with non-stick spray; set aside. To make the glaze: Drain the pitted dark sweet cherries; reserve 1/4 C. of cherry juice. In a blender, puree the drained cherries until smooth. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft; add the cherry puree, reserved 1/4 C. cherry juice, honey, vinegar, mustard, ginger, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper; stir until smooth. Add dried cherries; simmer 5 minutes. Arrange chicken breasts in foil-lined baking pan; season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush chicken lightly with cherry glaze; reserve remaining glaze. Cover the pan with foil and bake chicken 20 minutes; brush with additional glaze and bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes longer or until chicken is done. To serve, pour 2 T. warm reserved glaze over each chicken breast and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

 

Cherry and Smoked Turkey Salad

Cherry and Smoked Turkey Salad

12 oz. smoked turkey, sliced

2 C. Northwest fresh sweet cherries, pitted

1 mango, pared and sliced

1 kiwi fruit, sliced

Napa cabbage, shredded

Spicy Dressing

 

Arrange turkey, cherries, mango and kiwi fruit on shredded Napa cabbage. Drizzle Spicy Dressing over salad. Makes 4 servings. Spicy Dressing: Heat 2 T. vegetable oil and 1 clove crushed garlic until hot but not smoking; cool and remove garlic. Add 2 T. balsamic or red wine vinegar and 1 T. each honey and hot dry mustard and 1/2 tsp. each ground ginger and salt; mix well. Makes about 1/3 C.

Cherry French Toast

Cherry French Toast

1-1/2 C. milk

6 eggs

1/3 C. maple syrup

3 T. sugar, divided

1 T. grated orange peel

1/8 tsp. salt

8 slices (4-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1/2-inch) French bread

4 C. pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved

1/2 C. orange juice

Vanilla yogurt

 

Combine milk, eggs, maple syrup, 2 T. sugar, orange peel and salt; mix well. Pour half of mixture into each of two 9-inch square baking dishes. Dip both sides of each slice of bread in milk mixture; arrange in the same baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Marinate cherries in orange juice and remaining 1 T. sugar overnight. Carefully transfer slices to a nonstick, buttered baking sheet using a large spatula; allow excess liquid to drip into pan used for soaking. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven 15 to 18 minutes; turn slices over halfway through baking time. Top each slice with 1/2 C. cherries and a dollop of vanilla yogurt. Serve immediately.

Hot Walla Walla Sweet Artichoke Dip

Hot Walla Walla Sweet Artichoke Dip

1 (225 ml.) jar Walla Walla Sweet Onion Mustard

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 C. mayonnaise

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained

1 3/4 C. grated parmesan or romano cheese

 

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Mash artichoke hearts and add to cream cheese. Stir in mayonnaise, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Mustard and cheese. Spoon into a greased or sprayed baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve with assorted crackers such as Roasted Garlic & Rosemary or Toasted Sesame Wisecrackers

Puyallup Valley Red Raspberry Jam Cake

Puyallup Valley Red Raspberry Jam Cake

1/4 C. butter or margarine

1 C. white sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tsp. baking soda

1 C. buttermilk

2 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cocoa

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice

1 C. Puyallup Valley Red Raspberry jam

1 C. sifted confectioners’ sugar

1 to 2 T. milk

1 T. butter or margarine, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa, cinnamon, and allspice. Dissolve soda in buttermilk, stirring well. Cream butter or margarine and sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, beating mixture well. Mix flour mixture into the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in Red Raspberry Jam. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely.  Combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, butter or margarine, and vanilla. Beat until mixture is smooth. Spoon over cooled cake.