Randall Smith Company Blog Copyright (c) 2012 Randall Smith. All rights reserved. http://www.cooklocalfood.com/ Randall Smith Company Blog Mid-Summer Quiche http://cooklocalfood.com/post/131/midsummer_quiche
Several readers have asked for the recipe for the quiche displayed on the cover of the book. It was cut during the editing process. It require some time and effort but is delicious. Mid-Summer Quiche This quiche can be made with any combination of ingredients. I like quiche served room temperature with fresh sliced fruit. Serves 6-8 Ingredients1 recipe basic pie crust (see appendix)4 eggs1-1/2 cups milk1 cup cauliflower chopped into 1/2" pieces1 chopped onion1 cloved min
... ]]> Brown Rice Risotto with Apples http://cooklocalfood.com/post/126/brown_rice_risotto_with_apples
It was pointed out to me that this risotto recipe was missing the rice. That seems unworkable. Here is the completed recipe. A hearty dish for a chilly winter evening.
... ]]> Rutabaga http://cooklocalfood.com/post/63/rutabaga
Rutabaga and Pear Bake
 
We are in to storage vegetable season. A Rich comforting side dish!
 
... ]]> Burdock http://cooklocalfood.com/post/22/burdock
Sweet and Spicy Burdock
 
This is the classic Japanese technique for burdock. The key to success with this dish is to cook down the finishing sauce until it becomes a syrupy glaze.
... ]]> Maple Syrup Tart http://cooklocalfood.com/post/94/maple_syrup_tart Our friend Christina discovered that the ingredients for the "Maple Syrup Tart" on page 157 of the book are missing. That is unfortunate because this is a great and very simple recipe. Here are the ingredients that go with the directions. This a great alternative to pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving Maple Syrup Tart 1 recipe basic pie dough (see appendix) 1-1/2C maple syrup1C heavy cream1/4C cornstarch1/4C cold water1/2C chopped pecans or walnuts Prepare pie dough a... ]]> Peachy..or maybe Nectariny!? http://cooklocalfood.com/post/90/peachyor_maybe_nectariny Now is the time you can get wonderful stone fruit at farmers markets and roadside stalls. Most eat them out of hand but they also make sweet and a colorful salad. The challenge with using peaches, plums and nectarines in a salad is removing the pits without destroying the fruit.  There are two kinds of pits you might encounter--a hard stone pit and a cling pit that is stubborn and tricky to work around. The stone pit is easy-- gently run the knife around the equator of the fruit and gi... ]]> Try Something New! http://cooklocalfood.com/post/82/try_something_new I have a pair of upcoming demos at local DC farmer’s markets. I am amazed at the reluctance of many people to try something new. This often means that many farmers are reluctant to grow something unusual for fear of not being able to sell it. The chief joy of a good farmer’s market is finding a yummy treasure to bring a little flavor and variety to your life. The more variety you embrace, the more variety you can expect. One step would be to buy my book but in addition I of... ]]> Farm Fresh Flavors http://cooklocalfood.com/post/74/farm_fresh_flavors
     The book is finally out and available at stores and on the web. It has been an 18 month project to see it in print and I believe it is a great tool for the home cook to discover the beauty of cooking with fresh local ingredients. Even a bad cook could find something to prepare and I challenge anyone who is uncomfortable cooking to pick up a copy of the book and start to cook. If we are ever to get away from breakfast, lunch and dinner that is served up as a commodit
... ]]> Warm Winter Salad! http://cooklocalfood.com/post/71/warm_winter_salad
Even in the dead of winter sunchokes (also called Jeruselam artichokes) are available locally. The are a tasty marriage of waterchestnuts and waxy potatoes. Reheated this makes a great brown bag lunch.
 
 
... ]]> Grab and Green http://cooklocalfood.com/post/69/grab_and_green
It's 5:30 on a weeknight in October. You find yourself the last in a line of cars at the nearest burger joint. The choice seemed easy. Grab some grub on the way home for the family. They have 45 minutes to eat before Johnny's hockey's game. You don't have time to think about the choice and really don't want to be bothered. You hand over a remarkably small amount of money and are handed a sack full of food. You check to see if the order is complete. Four burgers and a fried chicken sandwich

... ]]> A Better Way to Eat http://cooklocalfood.com/post/9/a_better_way_to_eat
Part of finding a more connected way to cook and eat is dealing with abundance when you are blessed with it and scarcity when nature demands it. The traditional coming and going of scarcity and abundance linked us with timeless rhythms of nature and the earth and ourselves. We had to think and plan ahead. We had to treasure and conserve abundance. We had to manage and endure scarcity. We had to take what the world gave us and it taught us discipline, reverence and humility.These lessons are hard
... ]]> Fiddlehead Fern http://cooklocalfood.com/post/37/fiddlehead_fern
Sautéed Fiddleheads With Garlic
 
Serve this dish with grilled fish or shrimp.
 
... ]]> Garlic http://cooklocalfood.com/post/38/garlic
Roast Garlic
 
Roast garlic is now served in many fine restaurants in place of table butter for bread. Once roasted, garlic loses its sharpness and becomes sweet, rich and tender. It is very simple and makes an elegant statement at a formal dinner or a leaner alternative to butter on your bread every day.
 
... ]]> Raddichio http://cooklocalfood.com/post/39/raddichio
Garlic Roasted Radicchio
 
The rugged texture of radicchio holds up very well to roasting. This makes a fantastic side to roast chicken.
... ]]> Kohlrabi http://cooklocalfood.com/post/40/kohlrabi
Mashed Kohlrabi With Orange
 
A very good side with baked ham or a stuffing for grilled chili peppers.
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