Posted by Susie on Sunday, July 1, 2012
It’s summer and I’m on the road, this time to visit dear friends. So, while the lemons from last week are curing, I’ll be taking you with me on my adventures…this week California.
I starting feeling very nostalgic returning to Northern California. The foggy mornings gave way to brilliant sun and blue sky in the afternoon. The invigorating yet peaceful smell of pine trees and sea air. Most of all, the warmth that I felt in my heart from seeing old friends that I hadn’t seen in quite a while. I used to live there a lifetime ago. The memories that were in soft focus quickly sharpened and I fell in love with the area all over again.
We started out the first morning driving along to coast to visit Half Moon Bay which was still sleeping under a soft blanket of fog, but that never stops folks from enjoying the beach.
We drove along the winding, windswept coast for a bit, but returned for lunch at Pasta Moon. There we had lovely, light lunch that included a salad of fresh peas, fava beans, feta cheese and lemon zest that inspired this recipe. It was green, fresh and the citrus added a bright note. We followed it with a artichoke and arugula pizza, which was thin, crisp and flavorful.
I thought that you might like to try this salad, so when we went to the market on Saturday, I was happy to see the same vendor that Pasta Moon gets their veggies from, Iacopi Farm, set up on the pier in San Francisco. I eagerly bought a large bag of fava beans and a second filled with peas…other folks might buy trinkets to fill their suitcases with, I fill mine with produce.
I left California with mixed emotions, the trip was so short, I didn’t get my fill of friendship and coastal beauty, but I did get an inspiration for a recipe or two for you to share with family and friends for your next Sunday Supper.
For this recipe I decided to try not to shell my fava beans. I’ve been reading that this is an acceptable way to serve them that does not entail as much work and has more fiber. At first I was enthusiastic, but changed my mind after tasting. So if you wish to skip the shelling process, please go ahead…but I have to say, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Some of you might be asking, how is this done. You remove the beans from the pod, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain the beans and place immediately into a bowl of icy water. You then remove the outer shell to reveal the inner bean…more work, but it’s worth it.
Fresh peas, fava beans and feta salad recipe
Yield: 4 - 6 oz. servings
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon lemon zest (preferably from an organic lemon)
2 tablespoons good quality, extra virgin olive oil
1 sprig fresh tarragon
1 1/2 pounds fresh peas in their pods (which will yield approximately 1 3/4 cups of peas)
1 pound fresh fava beans in their pods (which will yield approximately 1 cup of beans)
1/4 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a small bowl mix the lemon zest with the olive oil. Set aside.
Remove the peas from their pods. Place in bowl.
Remove the fava beans from their shells, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain, then place beans in a large bowl of icy water.
Remove the outer shells from the fava beans, place in bowl with peas.
In a large pot of boiling water, add the sprig of tarragon and let boil for 3 minutes. Then toss in the peas and beans for approximately 60 seconds (if you like your veggies "al dente" like I do). If you prefer them a bit softer, cook for 2 - 3 minutes or till they achieve the texture you desire.
Drain peas and beans and place in a bowl Remove tarragon sprig..
Toss with the lemon zest mixed with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle with feta cheese.
Chill, or you may serve room temperature.
You can serve these in lettuce shells if you like.
Enjoy!
Posted by Susie on Sunday, June 24, 2012
It struck me as I was beginning to write this post that my blog has always been about preserving…not so much in the cooking sense, but the fact that what I’d like you to take away from visiting Return to Sunday Supper is the importance of preserving the long held tradition of eating at least one meal a week (even if it can’t be on a Sunday) with your family and/or friends. I believe that there is a very special connection that is made when people bond together over good food and conversation. I’m hoping that by reading Sunday supper stories and perhaps getting an idea for a new recipe to try, you’ll be more inclined to make time in your busy schedule for a special meal with the ones you love. I believe that when you look back, some of your fondest memories will be made around the table.
The other kind of preserving is what I’m going to be exploring in the next few months. This year I’ve had the privilege to be the prop stylist for Chef Paul Virant and Kate Leahy’s new cookbook, The Preservation Kitchen. I don’t say this lightly…this was the best project I have ever worked on because both of them had enough confidence in what I do to let me do it! Thank you Paul and Kate!
Preservation Kitchen has inspired me to do something I’ve never done before…can and preserve. I’m starting off slowly, with something that I believe will be at my skill level and I’d love for you to join me in this journey. I think that this book is so important right now because many of us are trying to eat in a more nutritious way and more of us now have gardens that produce fresh fruits and vegetables which could mean extra produce that needs to be preserved. This book will help you to navigate your way with practical tips and luscious recipes.
So let’s begin!
I decided to start with lemons because they are available year round. I followed the instructions and purchased organic lemons, but I couldn’t find any that hadn’t been waxed, so I also purchased an organic product that cleans fruit and vegetables and removes wax. I didn’t have a large Mason jar, so I used two smaller ones instead and the 8 lemons fit in them perfectly. I did have to add a bit of salt at the end to cover the tops.
This recipe is very straight forward and in no time at all, little lemon smiles were nestled in with their blanket of salt, sugar and herbs. Now, the hard part…waiting for them to cure, because of course I want them right away! I’ll keep you posted on their progress and I’ll be using them in a recipe as soon as I can.
I was given permission to use this recipe from Chef Paul Virant, Kate Leahy and Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House.
Preserved Lemons Recipe
Yield: 2 pint jars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
An easy first step in learning to preserve.
Ingredients:
2 cups kosher salt (you can use more, if needed)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup herbes de Provence
8 lemons (organic, if possible)
Directions:
Wash the lemons and slice the ends off. If they are large, cut them into 6 wedges, if they are small, cut them into 4 wedges.
In a large bowl add the salt, sugar and Herbes de Provence which will produce the cure mixture.
Add the lemon wedges and coat them well with the cure mixture.
In a Mason jar(s) or a ceramic container, add a bit of the cure mixture to the bottom, then add the lemon wedges, sprinkling the cure mixture in between each layer.
Squeeze 1 or 2 of the wedges over the top and fill the jar(s) to the brim with remaining cure mixture. If you don't have enough of the mixture left, cover the top completely with a layer of salt.
Cover your jar(s) or ceramic container for 4 to 5 days.
After the 4 to 5 days, you will see that the mixture has created a brine. Make sure that the lemons are still submerged. You might need to add something to keep the lemons from rising to the surface, such as a small ceramic ramekin.
Place in a cool spot (under 65 degrees). Give the lemons a stir every once in a while. Let them cure for a least a month, but preferable 4 months.
Once they are cured, they can keep in the refrigerator up to one year as long as they stay submerged in the brine.
Posted by Susie on Sunday, June 17, 2012
As many of you know, we lost our beloved Jack unexpectedly last month. Jack and I shared many Sunday Suppers together, sometimes circumstances were such that it was just the two of us.
I’d cook, and he’d come over to the house and pretty soon he’d be telling his stories…he was such an enthusiastic story teller. I so wish that I had written everything down, or better yet, taped it. But as storytellers do, he told his stories on more than one occasion, so I’ve remembered them. I think that this is the year that I should share them with you. Oh yes, and the recipes too! Like so many of our stories they were told around/about food.
I thought that I’d give you a peek into what a great guy his was by quoting something written about him a few years ago when he received the Jefferson Award for service to the community.
“A MODEST HERO HELPS THOUSANDS THAT DON’T EVEN KNOW HIS NAME”
“He hasn’t thrown a record breaking touchdown, hasn’t broken any home run records, and he’s never been on the evening news for a heroic act of bravery. He is a modest man, retired, married with two sons and a granddaughter that is the apple of his eye.
If you asked Jack Kauck what makes him a hero, he’ll deny the he is one, but talk to thousands of people Jack has helped over the last 10 years…you will be asked, who is Jack?
Ten years ago this month, Jack Kauck read an article about a wheelchair repair/loan program that had been started by Easter Seals Southwestern Ohio. Jack’s mother had benefited from the use of a wheelchair to stay independent despite her Rheumatoid Arthritis, and this was a perfect opportunity for Jack to help other people keep their independence. He joined the founding team of 5 gentlemen and never looked back. Over the years, Jack has helped provide independence to thousands of people with disabilities, that could not afford medical equipment due to low income and lack of insurance.”
That was our Jack…modest and always helpful. Loved by his family, friends and his community.
Community was important to Jack. One of his favorite activities was to go to the Second Sunday Supper Club. Everyone brought a dish and gathered at the local civic center to share their meal and connect with each other. I’ve often thought that it was a wonderful way to bring folks together. The world is becoming a more distant place and sometimes it’s hard to feel part of the whole. I think that community supper groups are a perfect way to get in touch with your neighbors by bonding over Sunday supper.
If there is a supper group established within your community you might want to think about joining. If your area does not have anything like this, maybe you could start one. The Sunday Supper Club was so important to Jack, maybe it will become important to you as well.
I’m so glad that we cherished last Father’s Day with him, we didn’t realize that it would be our last.
Posted by Susie on Sunday, June 10, 2012
We were welcomed to the Emerald City in the Evergreen State with cool, soft grey skies that gave way to peeks of pale sunshine.
Dana and I were in Seattle for BlogHer Food ’12. It was an opportunity to learn and re-connect with blogger friends. Quite honestly, we both needed a break from all of the sadness of the last few weeks and this trip to Seattle provided a much-needed break.
I promised myself that I would not show multiple pictures of folks mostly hidden behind microphones in this post. So, I’ll just say that there were many inspiring speeches and interesting lessons learned and wonderful sponsors…thank you. Also, I’d like to give a big shout out to The Fairmont Olympic Hotel…they really made us feel at home, special, pampered and very well fed…I’m going to dream about that smoked salmon!
What I thought you might enjoy hearing about was our experience of the Seattle food scene and their famous Pike Place Market.
Last week in Chicago I met fellow blogger and author, Janine MacLachlan (Rustic Kitchen, Farmers’ Markets of the Heartland), who suggested we go to Alki Beach which would give us an great view of the city and a chance to taste a simple, local favorite, Spud. Janine said that they made the best fish and chips. Spud advertises itself as the oldest fast food restaurant in Seattle. I have to say, it was very fast and very delicious.
We chose to go with the classic fish and chips, featuring double batter dipped (really) fresh cod…the crust crackled with crispness and fish nestled inside was flaky and tender. It was served with thick, savory, pickle-filled tartar sauce and homemade infused vinegars (our favorite was the garlic).
We didn’t want to fill up though, because in a few hours we had a reservation at Cascina Spinasse recommended by Seattle native, Michael Natkin, whose blog and latest book is Herbivoracious. Spinasse is an unpretentious restaurant filled with wood plank tables and rustic Italian food. Since we had shared our lunch, we arrived hungry. We couldn’t resist the asparagi e prosciutto cotto, roasted and chilled asparagus with boiled Italian ham, crushed egg and herbs. It was a delightful, well-balanced dish that was light and perfect for a spring night.
We were told by Michael that we had to order the Tajarin, which is freshly made egg pasta that comes with either ragu or butter and sage. We hungrily ate the perfectly prepared pasta with butter and sage and went on to enjoy the costollette di agnello, which are breaded lamb chop cutlets with fresh fava beans. OK, at this point we’re pretty full, but there’s always room for dessert, right?
We ended with a delightful panna cotta with cherries… we shared, so it was fairly guilt free.
On Saturday we were off to the Pike Place Market.
There, we were drawn to the large crowd that had grown around the Pike Place Fish Market. Be careful if you go (and maybe even duck when you place an order)… they throw your catch over the counter to be wrapped while shouting and repeating the order…”one small salmon, one small salmon, one small salmon.” If you’re nice enough to leave a tip, they shout “we gotta tip, we gotta tip, we gotta tip,” to the delight of the crowd.
This is a company with a great sense of humor. We had to indulge in the “fat” dungeness crab cocktail that was on ice and ready to go. It was ocean fresh and oh-so sweet…it really didn’t need any cocktail sauce.
Of course there were veggies, some exotic and some familiar.
Handmade bouquets were everywhere…I was drawn to these California poppies, so simple, so perfect.
Outside the street performers entertained the children with all kinds of music and magic.
We had to see the original Starbucks, but the line was so long we didn’t have time to go in and indulge…so we stayed outside and enjoyed one of the best street bands.
The fun and quirky, Millionaires Club.
You just can’t go to Seattle and not eat oysters (well, if you like them, that is). We were steered to one of Seattle oldest at the end of Pier 56, Elliot’s.
There, we indulged in some varieties that we were not familiar with, Penn Cove and Deer Creek, but we had to have some of our favorite, Kusshi oysters.
They had a crisp, local Pinot Blanc from Foris Winery that was the perfect partner.
Ah…at last! These really might have been the freshest oysters that I have ever eaten. We understand that there is a new oyster spot in Ballard named The Walrus and the Carpenter…that’s on our list for next time.
We were sorry our trip had to end.
Thank you Seattle for a wonderful visit!
Posted by Susie on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thank you all for the gracious notes that you left at this sorrowful time. I want you to know just how much they were appreciated. You are my internet friends and family and I hold you all dear in my heart! Even though so many of us have never met and probably never will, we have forged a friendship and a bond through this blog.
Today is Jack’s birthday…he would have been 86. He always would celebrate with the first cherries of the season…a custom started by his mother many years ago. So today, I’m going to buy cherries and serve them in honor of Jack.
Last year in happier times, I wrote about a Simple Roasted Cherry Dessert Topping. In case you missed it, here is a link to to that post.
In our hectic world, most of us can't commit to having dinner with our family/friends every night, but maybe we can start to put aside Sunday to be together and share our lives and good food. Let's join together to inspire others to celebrate our old traditions and create new ones. 
