PIE, PEACHES, PEPPERS & RICOTTA

Hello Readers,

Here we are together again. May I ask, on a scale of 1 to 10, how be you? Do you still stand tall at a strong, solid 7-8 or after a bumpy week, did you take a deep dive and are just now resurfacing? To date, August has sent my meter wagging between 5 and 8. That’s why I’ve tried especially hard to make this week’s Post a delicious one.

If every decision is a risk and every risk, a decision, I prefer to be savoring TART CHERRY PIE à la MODE to nourish my decisiveness. When I must make difficult choices and then own them, I’m fine with a glass of French Rosé and a dollop of RICOTTA SPOONABLE slathered on a toasted baguette slice. One night I grabbed a chunk of crusty artisan bread and carried my plate – a piping hot cast iron pan of SEARED PEACHES and SHISHITO PEPPERS with HONEY – straight to the table. Etiquette be damned. Spirits raised.

I’m still committed in my version of a ‘hard-core coronavirus stay-at-home quarantine mode.’ What I’ve needed most and received in this strange, uncomfortable time is for friends as well and family to support me so I can support myself. I hope you all have a support system in your corner.

And, Readers, I never underestimate, especially during this wildness, the joy I get from writing this blog for you. Stay safe. Please find something good in each day.

FARM to TABLE: YOU CAN TAKE the GIRL OUT of IOWA but YOU CAN’T TAKE IOWA OUT of THE GIRL

MARTHA STEWART’S TART CHERRY PIE

Click on this:

https://www.marthastewart.com/1162976/marthas-sour-cherry-pie

(NOTE: 2 pounds of sour cherries equals about 7 cups)

RICOTTA SPOONABLE by Dorie Greenspan, Everyday Dorie, The Way I Cook

Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from sheep, cow, or goat. Whey is leftover from the production of other cheeses.

Makes about 2 cups

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained if there’s liquid***
1 large lemon, or more to taste
3 tablespoons minced shallots, rinsed and patted dry
2 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
About 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup minced mixed fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, tarragon, thyme, cilantro and/or basil

DIRECTIONS:

***If there’s liquid in the container it’s best to drain the cheese. Line a strainer with a double thickness of damp cheesecloth, place it over a bowl, spoon in the ricotta, pull the cheesecloth around the cheese and weight it with a plate or a can of something. Put it in the refrigerator and let it drain for at least 30 minutes or up to a day

1. Put the ricotta in a medium bowl. Finely grate the zest of lemon over it, then halve and squeeze the lemon and blend in the juice.
2. Stir in the shallots, scallions, olive oil, salt and a healthy pinch of pepper. Taste for salt and pepper, then stir in the herbs.
3. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before adjusting for salt, pepper, and lemon juice and serving
   

Serving Options: A dollop of this on a cracker or sliced baguette makes a delicious appetizer. For a tartine (an open sandwich) spread the ricotta mixture on toasted dark bread and top with roasted tomatoes, sliced cucumbers or the topping of your choice. For dinner, add to your pasta, stirring and blending. I roasted some orphan veggies languishing in my fridge and added them to the pasta. With a green salad, a nice dinner. Spoonable Ricotta is even tasty being stirred into scrambled eggs.

Storing: Spoonable is best the day it is made, but you can keep it for up to 2-3 days, tightly covered, in the refrigerator. Stir well before using.

SEARED PEACHES and SHISHITO PEPPERS with Honey by Rachel Kulchin, The Blue Heron Project

Visit the Blue Heron Project by clicking this link. Environmentalist Rachel Kulchin’s blog spotlights a collection of unique seasonal recipes using ingredients currently being harvested from her garden or by wild harvesting in the Eastern Sierra area where she lives.

INGREDIENTS:

2 TBSP Butter
Peaches, ( 3, if large and 5, if small), pitted and sliced
2 Cups Shishito Peppers  (thin-skinned little green peppers) 
Juice of half a Lemon
Honey, for drizzling

DIRECTIONS:

1 Get a cast-iron or frying pan hot, hot, hot hot on the stove. Add the butter and immediately add your slices of peaches and shishito peppers.
2. Spread around evenly. Leave untouched at least two minutes until nicely seared.

3. Flip your peaches and shishitos over to sear for another 2 minutes on second side to caramelize and darken.
4. When finished, immediately scoop your mixture into your serving dish. (I like to serve them right from the the cast-iron pan.)
5. To finish the dish, squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the top. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt. Taste, adjust seasoning if necessary, and enjoy.

This post follows my progress cooking each recipe from
Dorie Greenspan’s “Everyday Dorie, The Way I Cook.” Check out our online group who cooks together virtually at www.CookTheBookFridays.Wordpress.com