Leafy Herb Salad

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Ingredients

•  4 cups spicy greens, such as arugula, mizuna or torn mustard greens

• 1 bunch parsley, leaves and tender stems  

•  1 bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems

• 1 bunch chives, coarsely chopped

• 1 to 2 cups fresh mint (or dill leaves)

• 1 lemon

•  Flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper

•  Olive oil

Recipe

1. Combine greens in a large bowl, along with parsley, cilantro and chives. Add mint or dill leaves.

2. Zest lemon over the greens, then halve and squeeze lemon juice all over everything. Season with flaky salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and finish with a good drizzle of olive oil. The salad should be lightly oiled, and heavy on the flaky salt and lemon juice.

     Recipe by Alison Roman
   

Cauliflower Gratin

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Ingredients

•  1 large head cauliflower ( 3 lb ) , cored and cut into florets

• ½ stick  unsalted butter, divided, more for pan 

• 2 cups hot milk

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• Salt & pepper

• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¾ cup grated gruyere cheese

• 1/2  cup parmesan, finely grated, divided

• ¾ cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 375º. 

2. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add panko and cook until crumbs are golden brown, keep a watchful eye as they burn quickly. Transfer the panko to a small bowl and toss ¼ cup parmesan, and ¼ cup of gruyere cheese, thyme leaves, and season with salt & pepper. Set aside.

3. While you prepare the cauliflower, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the cauliflower until tender, but still firm, about 6-7 minutes. Drain the cauliflower, and set aside.

4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the rest of the 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the flour and cook until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit, don't let it brown. Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens. Bring it to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. 

5. Off the heat, add nutmeg, and the remaining of gruyere and parmesan cheese.

6. Pour 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of an 8 by 11 by 2-inch baking dish. Place the drained cauliflower on top and then spread the rest of the sauce evenly on top. Pour the rest of the sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle the herbed panko  bread crumbs and cheese over the top. 

7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Arroz de Grelos (Broccoli Rabe Rice)

There will always be those dishes that the slightest smell or taste brings you right back to childhood. While some might be as simple as a soup or sandwich, mine is Arroz de Grelos, (Broccoli rabe rice).

I know, not your first guess ,but this particular dish is one that from as far as i can remember my mom always made.

I think mostly the memories are so strong because as a kid I was not that big of a fan of this dish. I knew the moment my mom began to boil that broccoli rabe that I would not be happy with the dinner choice.

But of course, as you get older, your taste for certain foods change, and i'm happy to report that i am now a BIG broccoli rabe fan!

A little bit of background on broccoli rabe.. it is a member of the brassica family which is known for being a vegetable family that is packed with all sorts of nutrients, like zinc, potassium, calcium, folate and vitamins A, C and K. ( no wonder my mom made it so much)

The combination of the fluffy rice with the bitterness of the broccoli rabe pairs well with any meat or even a pan fried fish, which is what i grew up eating it with!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup of white rice

• 1 bunch of broccoli rabe

• 1 large onion

• ¼ cup of olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves

• 3 cups of boiling water

• Salt & Pepper

Recipe

1. Wash the greens and roughly chop them. Peel the onion and garlic and chop finely.

2. Heat a medium saucepan, saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Stir in the garlic and greens and cook until tender.

3. Add the rice and mix well.

4. Add the boiling water, season with salt and pepper and allow to boil again.

5. Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked around 20 minutes.