rhubarb strawberry compote
April 2, 2010
We came to the farm for Easter and, low and behold, the rhubarb is coming out of the ground! Not surprising since it’s such an early bloomer, but it still amazes me each time I see its red and green leaves pushing out of the earth so early in the season. Doesn’t it know it could turn quite cold again? Alas, it’s a very hearty plant.
In honour of rhubarb’s robustness, initiative, and tenacity, I am going to give you an incredible compote recipe. It’s from The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lutkins. I made it last spring, canned it, and enjoyed it until Christmas when my family wolfed it down one breakfast with rhubarb coffee cake (recipe to follow if I can figure out how to truly vegan-ize it). I wish I had made more. It would be particularly scrumptious if you wait until the strawberries come into season. But perhaps you have some frozen from last season? Whatever the case, beware. This recipe is awesome and addictive.
10 large stalks rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
4 cups hulled, halved strawberries
1 cup organic cane sugar
1 cup fresh orange juice
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
2 tsps ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1. Combine all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring once and skimming off any foam that forms on top, until the rhubarb is just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Remove the vanilla bean and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate. It will keep for two days.
parsnip celery root puree with cardamom and vanilla
March 5, 2010
This recipe is from our family’s in-house chef and my brother-in-law, Eric Rogers – the guy who did the awesome Christmas firepit extravaganza. It’s absolutely delicious, and a good side for a vegan feast.
3 Parsnips
1 celery root
2 cardamom pods
1 vanilla pod
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup veggie stock
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Grind seeded cardamom in spice grinder.
Split vanilla bean in half and scrape vanilla from bean.
Peel parsnips and celery root and cut into 1” cubes. Cover with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until soft, approximately 30 minutes. Meanwhile, bring veggie stock to a simmer.
Drain parsnip/celery root mix and mash. Add olive oil, honey, and enough stock to allow a smooth, whipped consistency. Add cardamom and vanilla as well as salt and pepper and continue to mix until smooth. Serves 4.
v:gourmet 