Farmers' Market Valentine's Day Menu

Green Salad with Bacon-Shallot Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 2 slice(s) bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 to 2 heads salad greens
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 2 tablespoon(s) white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon(s) Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) pepper
• 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 2 to 4 large eggs

Directions

1. In 2-quart saucepan, cook bacon on medium 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat 1 inch water to boiling on high to poach eggs in later. Trim and discard stem ends from lettuce; cut leaves into bite-size pieces. Place greens in large bowl.
3. Remove saucepan from heat. With slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain; discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat.
4. Into bacon fat remaining in skillet, whisk shallot, vinegar, Dijon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper. In slow, steady stream, whisk in oil until combined. Add warm vinaigrette to bowl with lettuce and toss until evenly coated.
5. Reduce skillet heat to medium to maintain water at gentle simmer. Break eggs, one at a time, into cup. Holding cup close to surface of water, slip in each egg. Cook eggs 3 to 5 minutes or until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken. With slotted spoon, lift out each egg and quickly drain, still in spoon, on paper towels.
6. To serve, divide salad among 2 to 4 plates; top with bacon and egg. Sprinkle egg with coarsely ground black pepper if you like.

Herb-Coated Filet Mignon

Ingredients

• 8 ounces filet mignon, about 2 inches thick, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 portions
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as chives, parsley, chervil, tarragon and/or thyme
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Rub steaks with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a rack on a broiler pan.
3. Broil until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the steak registers 140°F for medium-rare, 15 to 20 minutes total, turning once halfway through cooking. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes.
4. Place herbs on a plate. Coat the edges of the steaks evenly with mustard; then roll the edges in the herbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Coriander-Crusted Pork Chops with Sautéed Apples and Caramelized Onions

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup(s) vegetable oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground pepper
• 2 apples, each cored and sliced into 8 wedges
• 2 tablespoon(s) coriander seed, crushed
• 1 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
• 2 tablespoon(s) Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoon(s) honey
• 4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless pork chops

Directions

1. Caramelize the onions: Melt 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent and continue cooking until onions are browned. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
2. Sauté the apples: Melt the remaining butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook until lightly browned on one side. Turn the wedges over and continue to cook until browned. Remove from heat and keep warm.
3. Cook the pork chops: Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine the coriander, cumin, mustard, honey, and remaining salt and pepper in a small bowl. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the spice mixture over the pork chops and place them in the hot pan. Sear pork chops for 2 minutes on each side and transfer to oven. Continue to cook in the oven until done--5 to 7 more minutes. Serve with Sautéed Apples and Caramelized Onions.

Sautéed Spinach with Red Onion, Bacon, and Blue Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup(s) thinly sliced red onion
• 2 clove(s) garlic, minced
• 1 bunch(es) fresh spinach, tough stems removed
• 2 strip(s) center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 tablespoon(s) crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds more. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in bacon and sprinkle cheese on top. Serve immediately.

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 3 tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon(s) fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper.
2. Roast until tomatoes begin to collapse, brushing occasionally with pan juices, about 90 minutes.

Dark Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients

• 7 ounce(s) dark chocolate
• 2 cup(s) whole milk
• 1 cup(s) heavy cream
• 3/4 cup(s) sugar
• 1/4 cup(s) cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 cup(s) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup(s) (1/2 stick) butter
• 3/4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

Directions

1. Chop the chocolate into very fine pieces. Combine chocolate, 1 3/4 cups milk, cream, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a large saucepan. Stir vigorously using a whisk over medium heat until mixture simmers and is smooth and thick. Stir the remaining 1/4 cup milk and cornstarch together and whisk into the chocolate mixture. Simmer for a minute, whisking and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula. Add the butter and cook 1 more minute. Stir in vanilla.
2. Serve pudding. Store refrigerated in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the pudding surface to prevent a skin from forming.

The Inside Scoop of Product Pricing at Farmers' Markets

by Madison Whitley and Juliann Zoetmulder

Ever wonder why farmers’ market eggs cost $4 a dozen? Are you curious about why meat and produce cost double what it costs in the grocery store? These are valid questions that are on many customers’ minds as they shop the farmers’ market. With a little explanation, you may come to find that what you get for your money is really worth it.

Comparing farm fresh eggs and industrial big-box eggs is not an apples-to-apples comparison. You have to lift the veil a bit to understand what you miss from industrial, “cheap” eggs. You may pay more for farm fresh eggs; however, you get more value for the price. In a 2007 testing project, Mother Earth News compared farm fresh eggs taken from hens raised on a pasture to the nutritional data designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for commercially produced eggs. In this test, it was found that the farm fresh eggs contain one-third less cholesterol, one-quarter less saturated fat and two times more omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, the farm fresh egg contains two-thirds more vitamin A and three times more vitamin E. Beta carotene, an immune booster, is found in seven times greater proportion than the egg off the big-box store shelf. In general, the eggs from hens that roam around a pasture are richer in nutrients than typical supermarket eggs.

Even if the science does not “wow” you, look at the deep orange color of the farm fresh egg and taste its creaminess compared to an industrial egg. It tastes better and is more nutrient dense. For $2 extra dollars per dozen, you get exponentially more health and taste benefits. That’s sixteen cents more per egg or thirty-three cents more for your 2 egg breakfast that will sustain your body much longer than an industrial egg.

Despite these known benefits, customers are still hesitant to purchase their weekly grocery list at the farmers’ market because prices cannot compete with the low prices found at the grocery store. So why is the food at the farmers’ market more expensive? In actuality, it is the cheapest and healthiest food available. Sustainable agriculture does not rely on government subsidies from the Farm Bill and it does not have the huge environmental costs (transportation, for example) that industrial agriculture incurs. Finally, sustainable agriculture is not laden with chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides, and GMO’s. On the flip side, think about what we would be adding to our future health care bill by eating cheap meat, for instance.

Grass-fed beef has a number of compelling health benefits and since America is eating more meat than ever, we need to pay attention. According to a 2009 study by the USDA and Clemson University in South Carolina, grass-fed beef, often sold at farmers’ markets, is lower in total fat, saturated fat and calories compared to commercially produced beef. Grass-fed beef has higher amounts of total omega-3 fatty acids and a better ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed beef also has higher vitamin A and E (alpha-tocopherol), higher levels of antioxidants, 7 times more beta-carotene, higher amounts of B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin, and higher amounts of minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. The research also indicates higher levels of CLA (cis-9-trans-11), a potential cancer fighter, in grass-fed beef and higher amounts of vaccenic acid (which can be transformed into CLA). Don’t forget that animals raised on small family farms are often treated more humanely than animals in commercial production facilities.

The nutrient density of products found at the farmers’ market is much higher, producing a much healthier product, which means that you don’t have to eat as much to get the same health benefits. So next time you are at the farmers’ market, don’t think about how expensive the products are and how much money you could save at the grocery store. Think about the quality of product you are getting, how many more nutrients are present in the food and what you are getting for you money.

As someone who has a monthly budget for food, I suggest purchasing the items that are at the front-and-center of your meal at the farmers’ market. You can always supplement your grocery list with items at the big-box grocery store. You will notice a difference in the taste and quality of your food, but not in your wallet. I promise.

Coffee-Glazed Doughnuts

Ingredients

For doughnuts

• 1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons warm water (105–115°F)
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for sprinkling and rolling out dough
• 1 cup whole milk at room temperature
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• About 10 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

For glaze

• 1/4 cup boiling-hot water
• 5 teaspoons instant-espresso powder or instant-coffee granules
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• About 1/4 cup sanding sugar (optional)

• Special equipment: a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment; a 3-inch and a 1-inch round cookie cutter; a deep-fat thermometer

Preparation

Make dough:
Stir together yeast and warm water in a small bowl until yeast is dissolved. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If yeast doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Mix together flour, milk, butter, yolks, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and yeast mixture in mixer at low speed until a soft dough forms. Increase speed to medium-high and beat 3 minutes more.

Scrape dough down side of bowl (all around) into center, then sprinkle lightly with flour (to keep a crust from forming). Cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (Alternatively, let dough rise in bowl in refrigerator 8 to 12 hours.)

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 12-inch round (1/2 inch thick). Cut out as many rounds as possible with 3-inch cutter, then cut a hole in center of each round with 1-inch cutter and transfer doughnuts to a lightly floured large baking sheet. Cover doughnuts with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes (45 minutes if dough was cold when cutting out doughnuts). Do not reroll scraps.

Heat 2 1/2 inches oil in a deep 4-quart heavy pot until it registers 350°F on thermometer. Fry doughnuts, 2 at a time, turning occasionally with a wire or mesh skimmer or a slotted spoon, until puffed and golden brown, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain. (Return oil to 350°F between batches.)

Make glaze:
Stir together boiling-hot water and espresso powder in a medium bowl until powder is dissolved, then stir in confectioners sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

Dip doughnuts into glaze, turning to coat well, then put on a rack set in a shallow baking pan (to catch any drips). While glaze is wet, sprinkle doughnuts with sanding sugar (if using). Let stand until glaze is set, about 20 minutes.

Salted Cod in Tomato Garlic Confit

Ingredients

• 1 pound center-cut skinless boneless salt cod (bacalao), rinsed well and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 large garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (14-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup crème fraîche
• 1 tablespoon water

Preparation

Soak and poach cod:
Cover cod with 2 inches of cold water in a large bowl and soak, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, up to 3 days (see cooks' note, below).

Drain cod and transfer to a 3-quart saucepan, then add 6 cups water. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod will just begin to flake; do not boil or it will become tough.) Gently transfer cod with a slotted spatula to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Cover with a dampened paper towel and chill while making confit.

Make confit and cook fish:
Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes break down into a very thick sauce and oil separates, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Mash garlic cloves into sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. Spread sauce in a 3-quart gratin dish or other flameproof shallow baking dish and arrange fish over sauce.

Preheat broiler.

Whisk together mayonnaise, crème fraîche, and water and spread over each piece of fish. Broil fish 5 to 6 inches from heat just until mayonnaise mixture is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

Sausage and Lentils with Fennel

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried lentils (preferably French green lentils; 7 ounces)
• 4 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 medium (3/4-pound) fennel bulb (sometimes labeled "anise"), stalks discarded, reserving fronds
• 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 1/4 pounds sweet Italian sausage links
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, or to taste
• Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling

Preparation

Bring lentils, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just tender but not falling apart, 12 to 25 minutes.

While lentils simmer, cut fennel bulb into 1/4-inch dice and chop enough fennel fronds to measure 2 tablespoons. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then stir in onion, carrot, fennel bulb, fennel seeds, and remaining teaspoon salt. Cover pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, lightly prick sausages in a couple of places with tip of a sharp knife, then cook sausages in remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.

Drain cooked lentils in a sieve set over a bowl and reserve cooking water. Stir lentils into vegetables with enough cooking water to moisten (1/4 to 1/2 cup) and cook over moderate heat until heated through. Stir in parsley, pepper, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon fennel fronds. Season with vinegar and salt.

Cut sausages diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve lentils topped with sausage and sprinkled with remaining tablespoon fennel fronds. Drizzle all over with extra-virgin olive oil.

Brown-Butter Creamed Winter Greens

Ingredients

• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons minced shallot
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
• 6 black peppercorns
• 3 1/2 pounds mixed winter greens such as collards, mustard greens, and kale
• 6 ounces slab bacon, any rind discarded and bacon cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch sticks (lardons)
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, or to taste

Preparation

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, then add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Add milk in a stream, whisking, then add shallot, bay leaf, and peppercorns and bring to a boil, whisking. Simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Strain béchamel sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, and cover surface with parchment paper.

Discard stems and center ribs from greens, then coarsely chop leaves.

Cook lardons in a wide 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown but not crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then pour off fat from pot and wipe clean.

Heat remaining 1/2 stick butter in pot over medium-low heat until browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes, then cook onion, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high, then stir in greens, 1 handful at a time, letting each handful wilt before adding next. Add béchamel, cream, garlic, red-pepper flakes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and boil, uncovered, stirring, until sauce coats greens and greens are tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in lardons, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.