September 26th
10 a.m. Free!
Learn To Make Fall Herb Wreath
photo: garden therapy
Join us for a little talk and a tasty treat!
The Plant Stand
2972-A Century Place
Costa Mesa, California 92626-4324
(714) 966-0797
The Plant Stand
Tag Archives: cooking with herbs
Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce
Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce
Serves 6, enough to sauce 1 to 1 1/2 pounds pasta
- 2 pounds tomatoes, or 2 cups canned imported Italian tomatoes, cut up, with juice
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in half
- Salt to taste
Combine the tomatoes and juice in a saucepan, add the butter, onion, and a pinch of salt.
Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. Serve with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for the table.
Summer Salads
My summer pantry is usually a little lighter than my winter pantry as I use far more fresh ingredients, mostly from my kitchen garden. The French Nicoise Salad is one of my favorites and I like using whatever fresh veggies I find at the local farmers market or in my garden. As in most cases, the quality of ingredients that you use are directly reflected in the finished dish, therefore buy the best that you can afford. I use Italian tuna in olive oil; I love the Genova brand from Italy. Please don’t use all white tuna packed in water, as it has no flavor, better to leave it out. I drain most of the oil from the canned tuna, reserving it for use in making the salad dressing.
Another way to dress up the dish for a hot summer evening entree is to grill some fresh tuna or shrimp from your fishmonger. This recipe makes a beautifully plated salad for a buffet table but can be individually plated as well. Be creative and use what you have on hand.
Summer Nicoise Salad
This salad is great for adapting to whatever you find in your pantry and/or refrigerator. Left over vegetables from last night’s dinner work great; keep your pantry stocked with jars of olives, tuna, hearts of palm, baby corn or a myriad of other staples. Change the tuna; use bay shrimp, scallops, last nights chicken or steak. A great salad to stretch your creative talents!
- Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small shallot -- minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley -- chopped
- Salt and pepper -- to taste
- 3/4 cup olive oil, use drained oil from tuna and add more olive oil as needed
- Salad:
- 2 cans Italian tuna -- packed in olive oil, drained and flaked with a fork
- Salt and pepper -- to taste
- 1/4 pound haricot vert -- blanched, cooled and dried well
- 4 new potatoes -- boiled
- 2 medium plum tomatoes -- cut into quarters
- 3 eggs, cooked~see recipe
- 1/2 cup nicoise olives
- 3 cups mixed baby greens
Make the vinaigrette:
In a large bowl make the vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar and
Dijon mustard. Add shallot, parsley and salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil, while whisking into vinegar mixture. Re-season if necessary.
Blanch the beans in boiling salted water, drain, and chill.
Cook the potatoes in salted water just until they are tender through, about 15 minutes. Drain. Peel them, if desired, as soon as they are cool enough to handle.
Hard boil eggs by covering eggs with cold water, bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover and time for 15 minutes, plunge into ice water and chill.
Drain tuna, leaving a small amount of oil clinging to fish, and reserving drained oil, flake tuna into a medium mixing bowl.
Toss mixed greens with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Plate salad by putting a mound of tuna in the center of the mixed greens and surround with remaining ingredients, drizzle a little dressing over vegetables and serve extra dressing on the side.
Save any remaining vinaigrette and store in glass jar, refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.
French Yogurt Cake
French Yogurt Cake
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 lemon, grated and zest
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup citrus olive oil
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°. Generously butter an 8 1/2-x-41/2-inch loaf pan and place the pan on a baking sheet. A cake pan, Bundt cake pan or any other pan may be used; you made need to adjust the cooking time.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Put the sugar and zest in a medium bowl and, with your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar until the sugar is moist and aromatic.
Add the yogurt, eggs and vanilla and whisking vigorously until the mixture is very well blended.
Still whisking, add the dry ingredients, then switch to a large rubber spatula and fold in the oil. You’ll have a thick, smooth batter with a slight sheen. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the cake begins to come away from the sides of the pan; it should be golden brown and a thin knife inserted into the center will come out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes, then run a blunt knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Unmold, and cool to room temperature right side up on the rack.
Glaze (optional)
½ cup lemon marmalade mixed with 1 teaspoon water
To Make the Glaze:
Put the marmalade in a small saucepan or in a microwave-safe bowl, stir in the teaspoon of the water and heat until the jelly is hot and liquefied. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the cake with the glaze.
Adapted from Dorie Greenspan
Lemon & Lavender Butter Cookies
Lemon & Lavender Butter Cookies
3 dozen cookies
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or baking liners.
Grind lavender buds in a clean coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, ground lavender buds, lemon zest, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar. Beat until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10-inch-long log. Wrap log in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Chill for 2 to 24 hours or until firm.
On a lightly floured surface, cut roll into 1/4-inch slices. Place slices 2 inches apart on prepared sheet pan.
Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
Adapted from Better Homes & Gardens
So. Coast Plaza Garden Show Recipes
Spring Herb Tart
- 1 recipe pate Brisée recipe, with
- 1 Tb. chopped fresh thyme, add thyme to flour and stir well
- ½ pound fontina cheese, grated (or more-to your taste)
- 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into ¼” pieces
- 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400°. Pre-bake the shell according to directions in Pate Brisée recipe. Let cool to room temperature or cool overnight. Sprinkle with the cooled crust with fontina cheese. Arrange the asparagus pieces around the bottom of the shell, season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs. Serve room temperature or slightly warmed. Can be served along with a light salad tossed with vinaigrette dressing.
Serves 6
If you wanted to turn this into a quiche mix together 4 eggs & one cup of cream, half and half or milk. Pour it over the cheese and asparagus and bake approximately 40 minutes. You may have to cover the edge of the crust with foil to prevent it from burning.
Adapted from 'What's In Your Pantry' by Debbi Dubbs
Pate Brisée (Pie Crust)
From ‘What’s In Your Pantry’
www.debskitchen.com
info@debskitchen.com
- Pâte Brisée (Pie Dough)
- 2 ½ cups flour, (10 ¾ oz.)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks butter, cut into pieces
- 3-5 tablespoons ice water
- 1 tablespoon sugar (for Pâte Sucrée, sweet pie dough)
Add flour and salt (sugar also if making Pâte Sucrée) into the bowl of a food processor; pulse a few times to incorporate all the ingredients.
Add the butter and process until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is pea size.
Place the mixture into a wide bowl and add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture comes together. Don’t overwork the dough or it will be tough, not flaky. Once the dough comes together in a ball, divide it into two pieces, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Dough can be wrapped well at this point and frozen for up to three months. Let the dough defrost overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Roll one chilled disk out on a floured counter or rolling mat, lifting and moving the dough every few rolls to help prevent sticking. Add only enough flour to the counter to keep the dough from sticking.
Place your pan on top of the dough to make sure it is the correct size, it should be slightly larger than the pan, then roll the dough onto your rolling pin and unroll over your pan. Gently lift and lay the dough to fit the pan, never pull the dough to stretch it. Lightly press the dough into the pan, roll your rolling pin over the top edge of the tart or pie pan and remove excess pastry.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°.
To blind bake:
Blind baking is baking the dough without filling.
Prick the bottom and sides of the dough; cut a piece of foil large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the dough, butter the dull side and lay the buttered side on the bottom of the dough and press into the sides. Line with pie weights or dried beans and bake in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the weights and foil and let cool before filling
Makes 2 - 10” crusts
Berry Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
- ½ shallot, minced
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup Pomegranate vinegar, another light vinegar could be used as well
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil, approximately
- 6 cups baby greens, washed and dried well
- 2 small Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 2 cups croutons
- 1 container each of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries (strawberries sliced)
- 2 avocados, diced, optional
In a small bowl mix together the shallot, Dijon mustard and vinegar. Add a pinch of sea salt and a little grind of pepper. While whisking slowly pour the oil in until the dressing starts to thicken a little and emulsify. Stop and taste the dressing before adding the remaining oil. You may not need all of the oil depending on the flavor of the vinegar. Add more as necessary.
In a large salad bowl toss together the lettuce, cucumbers and croutons with a little of the dressing. Just until the greens have a shimmer of dressing on them. Season with sea salt and pepper, toss again, taste and adjust dressing and seasonings. Add berries and avocados and drizzle with a little of the dressing.
Serves 6
What to do in your Spring Garden
April in the Garden
Chef Debbi will be presenting a seminar, ‘Al Fresco Mothers Day Brunch’, at the South Coast Plaza Garden Show on Sat. April 25th, 12:30 in the Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams home store. Chef will be talking about spring vegetables, edible flowers and demonstrating a ‘Microgreen and Baby Lettuce Salad with Spring Vegetables, Edible Flowers and a Pomegranate Vinaigrette’ and serving that along with a Seasonal Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart
The seminar is free but seating is limited.
What To Do in The Spring Garden in So. California
Last Chances:
You can get another crop of spring vegetables, peas (in cooler climates), asparagus, spinach, lettuce and last chance to plant artichokes from seedlings.
Spring Potatoes
Plant from certified organic ‘seeds’.
Spring and Early Summer
Tomatoes
Plant early season, cherry, heirloom & indeterminate varieties
Choose plants that are stocky with a thick stem, about the size of a pencil. Don’t choose plants with flowers or fruit on it, your tomato plant needs to develop strong, deep roots before starting to flower. Remove lower leaves and plant the seedling up to the first two set of leaves. All those furry little things on the side of the stem will turn into roots for you.
Companion plants to tomatoes are carrots, basil, lettuce and parsley.
Beans
All kinds of beans! Bush, pole and dried beans for winter soups and stews.
Companion plants to beans are corn, potatoes, radish and carrots.
Corn
Plant pole beans at the base of the corn and squash around the beans.
Beets, Turnips, Carrots and Radish
All grow underground in loose soil and can be grown in less sunny areas of the garden.
Peppers
All kinds of peppers can go in the ground, planting companions are spinach, basil and tomatoes.
Zucchini
Early squash can be planted but hold off on pumpkins until June if you want them for the fall holidays.
Herbs
Cilantro, Basil, Thyme, Dill, Fennel, Chives and most herbs will do well now.
Watch out for runners and re-seeders such as mint, oregano, borage, lemon verbena and pineapple sage for a few.
Now is a good time to amend your soil for the long summer growing season.
Bon Appetit!
Seminar is sponsored by 
Easter Potatoes
Potato Gratin
This rich, creamy gratin gets a note of smokiness from the bacon between the layers of tender potatoes.
by Molly Stevens from Fine Cooking
- 2-1/2 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & sliced into 1/8-inch thick rounds
- 2-1/2 cups heavy or light cream
- Sea salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 4 oz. bacon
- 3 medium leeks, white and light-green parts only, thinly sliced
- 6 oz. grated Gruyère
- 2 to 3 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Serves 8
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Butter or oil a 3-quart gratin dish; set aside.
Put the potatoes, cream , 1/2 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a 12-inch skillet. Simmer, partially covered, over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and gently with a rubber spatula until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a fork or skewer, 8 to 12 minutes.
In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until browned and fully cooked. Set aside to cool, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat in the skillet. Heat the reserved fat over medium-high heat and sauté leeks until tender, fragrant, and lightly browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper. When the bacon is cool, crumble it into small pieces.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer half the potatoes to the prepared gratin dish, spreading them evenly. Layer on the leeks, bacon, Gruyère, thyme, and nutmeg. Top with the remaining potatoes spreading them evenly, and pour over any liquid remaining in the pan.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and melted butter.
Evenly scatter the topping mixture over the potatoes. Bake the gratin until it’s bubbly, the top is brown, and the potatoes are completely tender when poked with a fork or a skewer, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the gratin sit for at least 10 and up to 30 minutes before serving so the liquid is fully absorbed and the layers are cohesive.
Artichoke Dip
Walt's Wharf Artichoke Dip
Adapted slightly from Walt’s Wharf recipe.
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons local honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 4 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 cup mayo
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary for your taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Chef Debbi
The Plant Stand~Jan
Rescheduled due to rain! See us on the 23rd
January 23rd, Sat
10 a.m.
Spring Garden Planning
&
Companion Planting
Join us for a little talk and a tasty treat!
The Plant Stand
2972-A Century Place
Costa Mesa, California 92626-4324
(714) 966-0797
Mushroom and Gruyere Puff Pastries
Mushroom and Gruyere Puff Triangles
A wonderful easy appetizer to make ahead and freeze individually, pull out cook as many as you need.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups finely chopped Cremini mushrooms
- 1 onion, chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, crushed
- Sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine
- 1/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed (12x12 inches)
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked together
Serves: 32
Preheat your oven to 400°.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
Heat a medium sauté pan over medium high heat, add butter and olive oil, and add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the mushrooms, herbs, sea salt and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are lightly browned and no liquid remains in the pan.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, add the wine and cream.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the Gruyere cheese. Chill.
Place a rolling mat on your counter, or a large piece of parchment paper. Add a little flour and lightly roll out the puff pasty, cut into 16 pieces using a pizza cutter or knife.
You should keep the puff pastry as cold as possible, if it starts to stick or becomes doughy, return it to the refrigerator for about 10 min. Keep the second piece of puff pastry in the refrigerator while you work on the first one.
Scoop about 1 t tablespoon of the cold mushroom mixture into the center of the dough (do not overfill or they will leak). Fold the over in a triangle and, using a fork, press the edges together to seal them.
Place the mini turnovers onto your prepared baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes and prepare the second batch. Refrigerate the second batch for 20 minutes for best results.
Brush the sealed edges and tops of the turnovers with the egg mixture.
Bake each tray for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Adapted from Jo-Anna, A Pretty Life in the Suburbs, courtesy of Kendall Jackson
Minestrone Soup
This is my favorite cold weather soup, I love it with a little squeeze of lemon juice, it brightens up all the flavors in the soup. Served with a big chunk of homemade bread, it’s a meal all of it’s own. Make a big pot, the flavors get better the second day as it all marries together.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, approximately
- 1/4 pound diced pancetta*
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, minced
- 2 stalks celery, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley, minced
- 1 can roma tomatoes, crushed, 15 oz.
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, crushed or ground, or as needed
- 2 salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cooked mixed beans, red kidney, cannelini, black and borlotti
- ¼ pound small pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup Swiss chard or spinach, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced, to taste
- ½ cup pesto sauce or
- 2 tablespoons Chef Debbi's Romano Herb Seasoning Mix**
- Parmigianno-Reggiano, for garnish
Serves 6
Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil; when hot add pancetta and sauté until lightly browned. If needed, add another tablespoons of oil and onions, carrots, celery; sauté until the vegetables are translucent, approximately 3 - 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and parsley and then add the tomatoes and chicken stock. Season to taste with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.
If using canned beans, rinse and drain them before adding to the soup. Add Swiss chard or spinach to the soup and cook until slightly wilted. Add pasta and lemon juice, stir to mix well, adjust the seasoning and ladle into bowls.
Swirl a little pesto on top or Debbi's Romano herb mix and garnish with Parmigianno-Reggiano.
*Omit for vegetarian version
**Romano Herb Seasoning Mix available www.debskitchen.com
