seasonal | Carrie Fehr

October 1, 2017

Pear Ginger Crumble

This wonderful crumble, fragrant with pears, is perfect for the cooler days of fall when I crave a little comfort of a warm treat. Oats, almonds and crystallized ginger give this crumb topping its flavor, along with the extra virgin olive oil. It tastes amazing when still warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Ingredients:

Topping

1 cup oats

¼ cup flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup almonds, chopped

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

½ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Filling:

8 ripe Bartlett pears (about 4 pounds), cut into 2” chunks

½ lemon, juiced

¼ cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Topping: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, almonds, cinnamon, crystallized ginger and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and stir until evenly moist.

Filling: Combine pears, lemon juice and sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the topping over the pears.

Bake the crumble until the pears are tender and the topping is golden, 45 to 50 minutes.

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June 24, 2017

Beet Ketchup

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Beets and ketchup may seem like an unlikely pair, but this intriguing sweet and tangy flavor combination, will truly make your taste buds come alive. If you’re a newcomer to beetroot, it’s a wonderful way to introduce this vegetable, that is by no means fancy, and is often misunderstood.

Bright and zesty with a hint of spice, this home-made ketchup is great slathered on any sandwich, over a side of sweet potato fries, and is a fantastic barbecue sauce for grilling. Serve, as a dip for spring rolls, or over eggs—the possibilities are endless.

How do you prepare beets? Do you have a creative way that encourages children to taste them? I would love to hear your story.

To find out how students in the cooking classroom explore beets, click here.

Beet Ketchup

Beet Ketchup with Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

3 medium-sized beets, diced

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup honey

1 ¾ cups balsamic vinegar

2 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

¼ tsp powdered mustard

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat; then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until liquid reduces by half, about 1 hour.

Remove spices and place ketchup into a blender and purée until smooth. The consistency will be thick, smooth, and shiny.

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January 3, 2017

Butternut Squash Soup

butternut-squash-soup-jpg On stormy weather nights when I crave something warm and comforting, there’s nothing like a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup to assuage the winter chill. This soup is easy to prepare and with a handful of simple ingredients, it will turn into something creamy and soothing. A sprinkling of pomegranate seeds adds a little burst of color and crunch. Soup On!

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

6 cups vegetable stock or water

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 pound sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup coconut milk

Season with salt and white pepper

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat, add the onions, and sauté about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook until the onion is very soft, about 10 minutes.

Add the vegetable stock or water to the onions and bring to a boil. Add the butternut squash and sweet potato, return to a boil then, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the squash and sweet potato is soft.

Pour the soup into a blender and purée until smooth. Add the coconut milk. Return the blended butternut squash and coconut mixture to the saucepan, then, bring it to a simmer. Remove from heat. Taste and season with salt and white pepper.

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October 6, 2016

French Apple Cake

Tender chunks of apples layered over silky custard-like cake, is what makes this rustic French dessert, completely melt-in-your-mouth. One of the easiest dishes to prepare, this fall favorite bursts with so much flavor, you could never imagine it uses a few ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. Voila!

With apple season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to stop by your local farmers’ market and take advantage of this fruit when it’s truly fresh picked. A mixture of sweet tart apples such as Pink Lady, Black Arkansas, Granny Smith, or Fuji will give this cake a more interesting taste, and a wonderful fragrance that will make your home feel like autumn.

French Apple Cake

Adapted from David Lebovitz, and Around My French Table, by Dorie Greenspan

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

4 large apples, a mix of varieties, (4 cups)

2 large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF

Butter a 9-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Peel, core, and dice the apples into 1-inch cubes.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy, then whisk in the sugar until thick and creamy. Mix in the vanilla. Whisk in half of the flour mixture, and gently stir in half of the melted butter. Add remaining flour and the rest of the butter.

Using a spatula, fold in the apple cubes until coated with the batter and pour into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 5 minutes, and remove the sides of the springform pan.

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August 19, 2014

Roasted Peach Crepes With Blueberry Compote

Is there anything better than savoring the sweet taste of summer with luscious, tree-ripened peaches oozing in flavor, all wrapped up in a French crêpe like a present? S’il vous plait!

Peach trees are the Chinese symbol for longevity.

Still in season, peaches are brimming with nutrients that make them a healthy snack, breakfast, or treat. It’s no coincidence that peach trees are the Chinese symbol for longevity.

Even better, roasted peach crêpes are easy to prepare, and with minimal effort, crêpes can dress up any occasion from simple to luxurious with an endless variety of sweet or savory combinations. This classic dish is a true gift from the heart, enjoyed best with the ones you love, to set off a leisurely weekend day. Click here for the recipe.

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October 7, 2013

French Apple Cake

Tender chunks of apples layered over custard-like cake, is what makes this rustic French dessert, completely melt in your mouth. One of the easiest dishes to prepare, this French Apple Cake is bursting with so much flavor, you could never imagine it only uses a few ingredients most likely in your pantry. Voila!

With apple season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to stop by your local farmers’ market and take advantage of this fruit when it’s truly fresh picked. A mixture of sweet tart apples such as Pink Lady, Black Arkansas, Granny Smith, or Fuji will give this cake a more interesting taste, and adds a wonderful fragrance that will make your home feel like fall.

French Apple Cake

Adapted from David Lebovitz, and Around My French Table, by Dorie Greenspan

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
4 large apples, a mix of varieties, (4 cups)
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature (You can substitute olive oil for the melted butter)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF

Butter a 9-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Peel, core, and dice the apples into 1-inch cubes.

Using a spatula, fold in the apple cubes until coated with the batter and pour into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 5 minutes, and remove the sides of the springform pan.

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September 8, 2013

Bulgur Wheat Salad

Bulgur Wheat Salad

Here’s a whole grain salad that is colorful and easy to prepare with the best of late summer garden sweet peppers and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients:

Makes about 6 cups

1 ½ cups bulgur wheat

1 ½ hot water

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 sweet peppers, yellow, red, orange, purple, diced

1 pint mixed cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

2 green onions, chopped

¼ cup feta cheese, cut into 1/8 inch squares

1 lemon, juiced

5 sprigs of parsley, chopped

Drizzle of olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine bulgur wheat with hot water, cover the bowl and let sit about 1 hour until water is absorbed.

Add minced garlic, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, green onions, feta cheese, lemon juice, and parsley to cooked bulgur wheat, toss to combine.

Drizzle with olive oil, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

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August 30, 2012

Confetti Spaghetti

Bold colorful peppers and vine-ripened tomatoes always welcome me back to the kitchen classroom in the late summer, where I teach elementary school children how to cook real food inspired by the garden.

We kick off the season with the recipe, Confetti Spaghetti, highlighting the harvest’s bounty of bright jewel tones that look like the fireworks sky on the Fourth of July– a party on a plate that tastes like a celebration in your mouth.

And, oh so healthy too, these vibrant colored fruits and vegetables have a generous infusion of beneficial vitamins and minerals that nourish both the mind and body.

It’s no wonder that students eagerly swarm like bees to honey, to the cooking lesson. Excited fingers slice, dice, and roll fresh leaves of basil into cylinders that are thinly cut into a chiffonade. This early hands-on nutrition lesson is not only fun and engaging for children, but will have a positive impact on the choices they make about food for many years into the future.

Confetti Spaghetti is one of the most versatile recipes you can have in your repertoire. Feel free to choose your favorite seasonal vegetables, red, orange, even purple, and experiment with different flavors and textures or whatever is available to you. Click here for the Confetti Spaghetti recipe.

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August 3, 2012

Blue Corn Blueberry Pancakes

Fresh in season from the farmers’ market are summer blueberries. These dark blue polka dots burst into a flavor explosion of blueberry heaven, when you bite into them. And they come with benefits too.

Blueberries are a super food filled with nutrients that strengthen the immune system, improve memory, promote heart health, and offer a generous dose of antioxidants that help to slow down the aging process. Yes please!

The possibilities for how to enjoy blueberries are limitless. A kid-friendly treat, snacking fresh from the container makes them a healthy fast food. Sprinkle in cereal, salads, or smoothies, add blueberries to baked goods, or toss them into a sauce pan to make a topping. To celebrate the summer berry season, try this family-friendly recipe for Blue Corn Blueberry Pancakes.

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December 4, 2011

The Science Of Food: The Chef And The Scientist

Teaching science through the lens of cooking encourages students to understand the valuable connection between a chef and scientist, and offers a rich stew of inquiry-based science lessons that reinforces the vital role food plays in our health.

The Lesson: In the science of cooking lesson, fifth graders explore the relationship of cellular respiration, a process about how cells extract energy from food– and its impact on our health. In the concept of cellular respiration, students learn that the human body uses sugar glucose as a main source of energy, and when combined with oxygen, it will release that energy. For example, eating simple carbohydrates, will offer a quick boost of energy, but the excess glucose (energy) will convert into fat, also increasing the risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, an epidemic that according to experts affects one out of three children and teens. Eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, will breakdown the glucose more slowly, process the energy more efficiently, and will help lower the risk for getting diseases.

The Experiment: To prove the effects of cellular respiration, students investigate three different nutrient sources from the recipe, Three Sisters Succotash aka Corn, Beans, and Squash. Yeast, a single cell organism that can convert sugar into carbon dioxide, is mixed with each nutrient source, and then sealed inside a plastic bag submerged in a warm water bath. For comparison purposes, students create a fourth variable that is only sugar. Students make predictions on what they think will happen between the nutrient sources and the sugar. Lucky this is the science of cooking class, because students now put on their chef hats and prepare the recipe, Three Sisters Succotash, while waiting on the outcome of the cellular respiration experiment.

As another epic class concludes, the results of the experiment confirm that sugar processes energy the fastest, but yet the message is clear: slow and steady, corn, beans, and squash will win the race, the marathon of all–good health.

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Tag: seasonal