WINTER CARROTS WITH TOASTED WALNUTS & CARAWAY GREMOLATA

The idea of restraint or moderation does not come easily to me.  I spend my time in the extreme, bouncing between the opposite ends.  I often say I’m at full-intensity or I’m asleep (I have no pace).  I can’t say this is a personality trait I always like to highlight, but it does explains so many of my ailments & behaviors.

The same goes for recipes.  I’ve been thinking a lot about the word restraint.  Not in the way of control, but more in choosing what not to do.  It doesn’t always have to be big, complicated, hard - and that’s not just a recipe for food.  I tend to push myself very hard, and recently I’ve learned that doesn’t always mean better.  Sometimes it’s OK to boil carrots.

WINTER CARROTS WITH TOASTED WALNUTS & CARAWAY GREMOLATA (Serves 2-4) GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN

This recipe is Inspired & adapted from Deborah Madison's Vegetable Literacy.  I love this super simple, but flavorful way to serve carrots.  I followed her recipe, which called for boiling carrots, something I  normally would never do, but am happy I listened.  This recipe could be used with any seed, coriander or cumin would be a great option. *Also, if you need to toast nuts, put them on a baking sheet in a 300 degree oven for 5-10 minutes (set a timer! they burn fast) or until golden and smelling fragrant.

• 1 lb. carrots (I used a purple variety), reserve 1 carrot to grate
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
• 1 large garlic clove, roughly chopped
• 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 lemon, juice and zest
• About 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
• More parsley, to serve
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground pepper

Wash and dry carrots, peel if you choose to (I don’t) and cut into 1 inch chunks.  Add carrots to a saucepan with enough water to cover and large pinch of sea salt.  Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer, covered, until tender, but not completely softened.  About 12 minutes worked for me.

While carrots cook, add caraway seeds to a mortar and pestle.  Break down the seeds as much as possible, but it’s fine if some whole ones remain.  I find it easier to do the caraway seeds first, then add the rest of the ingredients.  Once you’ve broken down the seeds, add garlic, parsley, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Continue breaking down mixture until it looks like a pesto.  Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of zest and the juice of half a lemon.  Grate remaining carrot (large grate), and set aside.

Once carrots are cooked, strain, then return to the pot to dry in the residual heat.  Toss in the grated carrot and gremolata until well coated, then transfer to a serving platter.  Squeeze the remaining 1/2 lemon over carrots with a drizzle (about 1 tablespoon) of olive oil.  Crumble toasted walnuts over top & garnish with more parsley.  Season with freshly ground pepper, and serve immediately. 

WINTRY RADICCHIO SALAD + TOASTED HAZELNUTS, PARSLEY WITH GOLDEN RAISIN, SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Salads are what I subsist in.  Most nights, afternoons and even mornings, they’re what feed me.  For some reason that feels silly to admit, but most of my meals are assemblages of things (ie. salads) I have on hand.  This wintry salad is what I’m feeling these days.  It’s cold and definitely full Winter-mode here, but I’m craving lots of greens and vegetables (thanks, holidays).  The hearty greens and cabbages make this feel seasonal and not crazy to eat despite 30 degree temps.  If you can’t find spigarello,  any hearty winter green (kale, mustard or collard greens) will do.  Also, this dressing! You have to try.  Stay warm ;)

WINTRY RADICCHIO SALAD WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS, PARSLEY & PARMESAN (Gluten-free, grain-free) Serves 2-4

• 1 large radicchio, thinly sliced
• 3 large handfuls spigarello, roughly chopped
• 1 cup sliced or shredded red cabbage
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1/2 shallot, minced (reserve other half for dressing)
• 1/2 lemon (reserve other half for dressing)
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano, freshly grated

Golden Raisin, Lemon & Shallot Vinaigrette (Adapted from Purple Kale)

• 1/2 cup golden raisins, finely chopped
• 1/2 shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons filtered water
• 1 1/2 tablespoon whole grain mustard 
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground pepper

In a large mixing bowl, combine radicchio, spigarello, cabbage, parsley and shallot.  Squeeze the juice of a lemon overtop, season with a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.  Toss together well.

To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Add hazelnuts to a sheet pan and roast for 6-10 minutes (watch carefully! they will burn quick).  Remove once they are golden brown and smell nutty.  Set aside to cool.

For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine raisin, shallots and vinegars.  Let steep for 10-15 minutes.  Then, mix in water, whole grain mustard, lemon and olive oil.  Add a pinch of flaky sea salt & freshly ground pepper.  Then, whisk together really well until emulsified.

Once nuts are cooled, roughly chop hazelnuts and add to salad mix.  Top with grated cheese, and a few spoonfuls of dressing.  Toss together until combined & well coated.  Serve immediately!

BLACK RICE SORREL BOWL

It’s not very often where I dine somewhere and feel so emotionally connected to the food.  At Sqirl, the food doesn’t just remind me of my home (California) with it’s slight hippie sensibility, but feels like food you’ve been dreaming of and didn’t know you were missing.  

I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a cookbook - not just for inspiration, visually or otherwise - but for once, to actually cook from it.   Crispy rice, sorrel pesto rice bowl, buckwheat financiers - I cannot get enough of Jessica’s food.  It was shocking to realize the simplicity of some of these recipes.  Specifically the famous sorrel pesto, which includes almost exclusively - lemon, olive oil and sorrel.   Most of the recipes are remarkably uncomplicated in a way that can only be described as everything I want to eat…and cook, too.   

SQIRL SORREL PESTO BLACK RICE BOWL (Gluten-free)  Serves 2

• 1 cup black rice
• 2 watermelon radishes, thinly sliced (on mandolin)
• 1 lemon, divided 
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill, parsley, chives
• 1/2 preserved lemon, peel finely diced
• 1 teaspoon preserved lemon juice
• 1-2 oz feta cheese, crumbled (opt)
• 2 large eggs
• Hot sauce, to serve

Sorrel Pesto:

• 1 cup chopped sorrel, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup chopped kale leaves, lightly packed 
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Sea salt, to taste

In a large saucepan, add rice, two cups of water and a generous pinch of salt.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.  Fluff with a fork and set aside.

In a small bowl, add sliced radish, about 1/2 lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.  Leave aside to marinate while you prepare the pesto.

To make pesto: in a blender or food processor, add sorrel, kale, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice and salt to taste.  Blend until smooth.

In a large bowl, toss the rice with herbs, preserved lemon, about a teaspoon of preserved lemon juice and prepared pesto.  Season with salt.  

To poach eggs:

Fill a large saucepan with water and a good splash of white vinegar.  Over med-high heat, let the temperature come up until you begin to see tiny bubbles around the rim.

Crack your eggs into tiny ramekins.  Then gently whirlpool the water and slide in your eggs (one at a time, if you’re nervous)  into the center of the whirlpool.  Let the eggs sit for about 30 seconds, then slowly stir in a circle making sure the egg white wraps around the yolk.  *If you are poaching two at a time, now add your second egg, repeating the process (and steering clear of your other egg)/  If your egg gets stuck on the bottom of the pan, don’t fret, use a silicon spatula to carefully remove it.   If your water gets close to boiling or simmering, reduce heat.  You want a still, steady heat to poach them in.  Let cook, gently stirring in a circular motion, until egg whites just begin to firm (or set, gently touch the egg white to judge doneness), and aren’t translucent.    Remove with a slotted spoon, draining the water, then top an egg on each serving. 

Assemble your bowls:   Divide rice among bowls with hot sauce, crumbled feta, marinated radish and top with a poached egg (see above). Garnish with more herbs, flaky sea salt and freshly ground pepper.  Serve immediately!