Recipes

The vegetable gardens are producing very well. There is something quite special about picking fresh vegetables and fruits from your own garden and creating a delicious dish. Here is another use for zucchini, tomatoes and extra cabbage. This recipe is so chunky and hardy you can eat it with a fork…but use a spoon to get all of the great broth!
 Crusty bread works well too.
Garden Vegetables with Beef in Creamy Tomato Broth
By The Gourmet Farm Girl

2-2 ½ lbs stew meat
3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon ground black peppercorns (or to taste)
or 1 1/2 tablespoons  of The Gourmet Farm Girl House Blend seasoning
3 14 oz cans beef broth
1 14 oz can vegetable broth
1 medium white onion
2 bay leaves
3 stalks celery and some of the light leaves
2 large carrots chopped or sliced
1/2 head cabbage (chopped)
2 yellow squash (cut into half moons)
2 medium size green zucchini or one large one (cut into half moons
4 medium size tomatoes (chopped)
1 1/2 cups half-n-half

In a heavy stock pot brown the meat in the olive oil on med to medium high heat. Add the garlic, basil, salt, pepper, parsley, ½ of the onion and bouillon cubes with one can of broth to the meat; cook on medium heat till the moisture starts to reduce. (Do not let go dry) add the additional broth and let the meat and seasoning cook until tender; 40-45 minutes
NOTE: Could be less or more time- you will need to taste test to see if the meat is getting tender
As soon as the meat starts to tender: Add the chopped onion, bay leaves,  celery with some of the light green leaves, carrots and cabbage, . Reduce heat and let simmer until the vegetables begin to tender.  15-20 minutes longer
Add squash, zucchini and tomatoes; continue to simmer till all is tender and flavors come together; 15-20 minutes; add the half and half and stir in till warm; remove bay leaves and serve.
ENJOY!

Serves 6-8

Garden Creations… Read More »

Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce
and Toasted Pine Nuts
By The Gourmet Farm Girl
 
1 medium size spaghetti squash
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2-3 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic minced
½ of a small onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1- 24 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 1/2  cups shredded parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350

Wash the squash and cut in half (lengthwise) remove seeds; place cut side down in a large baking dish; add ½ cup water bake for 45-50 minutes till the squash is soft; remove from oven and let cool
Turn off heat and place pine nuts in the oven to toast.
In a deep skillet heat the oil and sauté the minced garlic and onions till fragrant; 2-3 minutes. Add the sauce, basil and parsley; simmer for 15-20 minutes stirring often.
When squash is cool enough to handle, shred with a fork length way on the meat of the squash to create spaghetti like noodles. Pile the spaghetti squash on a plate and top with some parmesan cheese, spoon sauce over the squash and top with more parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley

ENJOY!

Spaghetti Supper idea… Read More »

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This is a great way to use eggplant and Zucchini
 from the garden… 

Garden Vegetable Lasagna
 By The Gourmet Farm Girl
 
 
 
1 package Lasagna noodles
1 medium eggplant
4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound ground beef
2 1/2 half tablespoons of The Gourmet Farm Girl House Seasoning
(or your favorite Italian blend)
1 medium onion chopped
1 small green bell pepper chopped
2 tablespoons dried parsley
6 medium ripe tomatoes chopped
3 cups tomato juice
2 teaspoons salt 
1 teaspoon pepper
1 small zucchini sliced
4 cups fresh spinach
1 16 ounce Ricotta cheese 
2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
Fresh basil
 
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

Spray two 12×9 inch casserole dishes with oil and set aside
Note: this recipe makes a lot; bake one and freezer the other
 

In a large stock pot cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse and allow to cool. (Tip: add lots of salt to the water and stir the water for several minutes after adding the noodles to prevent sticking together)
 
Cut the eggplant in half (length wise) brush with some of the olive oil and place cut side down on a heavy baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes till soft; remove and cool.
 
In a large deep skillet heat the remaining oil over medium high heat and brown the meat; 5-7 minutes, chopping the meat into small pieces. Add the seasoning, chopped onion, bell pepper, parsley, tomatoes, tomato juice, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook the sauce for 30-40 minutes stirring often. (Note: add more tomato juice if needed, sauce should not be to thick)
 
Scrape the eggplant from the skin and place into a medium size mixing bowl. Stir in the ricotta cheese; season with salt and pepper.

Add 3-4 spoon fulls of sauce to the bottom of the casserole dish followed by 3 noodles; more sauce,  layer the cheeses, eggplant mixture, sliced squash and spinach; repeat till both casseroles are full.

Cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil

Each dish serves 8-10

 
 ENJOY!
 
 
 


From the Garden Recipe… Read More »



Stuffed Zucchini with Sausage, Cheese and Fresh Tomatoes
By The Gourmet Farm Girl
1 medium to medium large zucchini
2 cups fresh green beans
1/2 lb mild sausage (or your favorite)
1 tablespoon of The Gourmet Farm Girl Blackening Seasoning
1 small onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 small yellow squash sliced
1/4 cup fresh mozzarella cheese (chopped)
1/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
2 medium tomatoes (sliced)
1-2 tablespoons fresh basil (julienned)
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Wash zucchini and cut in half (long way) scoop out seeds with a spoon; salt and pepper. Place on a heavy cookie sheet with sides or in a large casserole dish; pour 2 cups hot water onto tray or dish; place in oven for 45-50 minutes till zucchini is tender. Note: Check often, more water may be needed
While zucchini is baking…
Wash and snap green beans; place in steamer or a pot with a small amount of water (1/2 cup) 
Cook for 5-7 minutes or till tender, drain keep warm and set aside
In a medium size skillet sprayed with cooking oil brown sausage over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with blackening seasoning. Note: add more or less according to your liking. 
Add the chopped onions and garlic; continue to cook for 1-2 minutes till onions tender. Add the sliced yellow squash and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes till squash tenders.
Remove zucchini from oven and place half of the cheeses on top; add the sausage mixture; layer with the sliced tomatoes and remaining cheese. Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes till cheese is melted and tomatoes are soft.
Place zucchini on a large serving platter, top with the fresh basil and line the edges with the green beans. Serve immediately .
Serves 2-4
This recipe can be served as an appetizer too.

ENJOY!


Summer on a Plate… Read More »

 If your weekend looked like this…I decided that the bowl of peaches I had on the counter were just waiting to become a plate of deliciousness!

Peach Crumble with Cherry Reduction
By The Gourmet Farm Girl
1 1/2 cups of The Gourmet Farm Girl Cherry Balsamic
   (reduced)
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup chopped pecans
6 tablespoons butter (divided)
7-8 fresh medium size peaches sliced
(reserving 5-6 slices for garnish)
½ cup granola cereal
Simmer the balsamic in a sauce pan for 30-40 minutes; stirring often. Cook until it coats a spoon. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature; set aside. (Do not overheat)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Using a fork, mix in a medium size bowl the brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, pecans and 3 tablespoons butter till crumbly.

Spray a 9×9 glass casserole with cooking oil; pour half of the crumb mixture into the dish; drop the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over the crumbs
Wash and peel peaches; slice and layer on top of the crumb mixture; cover with remaining crumbs and granola.
Bake for 30-40 minutes; remove and garnish with fresh peach slices; return to oven for an additional five minutes. Remove and cool for 8-10 minutes; drizzle some of the Cherry reduction over the top before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice-cream or fresh whipped cream and a sprig of fresh mint.
 
Note: Apples and Pears work well with this recipe.
Balsamic reduction also works well over grilled meats.
~ENJOY!~

Rainy Day Recipe… Read More »

When growing up on the farm I never imagined eating fresh scallops baked in sea shells. Seafood was hard to find unless you made a special trip to a large grocery that carried frozen seafood’s .
  We cooked a lot of Lake Erie Perch, Walleye and Catfish.
  
These Shells are from Morty Knife Company  
These beautiful sea shells can be purchased at Fish Markets or online. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be washed and reused.
   
Here is my recipe using fresh Sea Scallops

Baked Scallops on Sea Shells
By The Gourmet Farm Girl
4 Tablespoons butter + additional for on top
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon Chile powder
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 pound fresh Sea Scallops (or frozen and thawed)
Note: you will need 3 large scallops for each shell
make sure the scallops are blotted dry with a paper towel
1 fresh lemon cut into wedges
1 small block of Gruyere  cheese
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
In a medium size sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Brush each shell lightly with some of the melted butter. Add the garlic, Chile powder and bread crumbs to the butter and toast lightly; about 1 minute.
Place one tablespoon  of the crumb mixture on each shell; place three scallops on top of crumbs; squeeze a small amount of lemon juice on top of the scallops. Finish with another tablespoon of the crumbs on top; followed with a small pat of butter.   
Bake for 20-25 minutes or till the scallops are opaque; remove from oven and top with slivers of  cheese; return to the oven broiler for 1 minutes or less till cheese is melted
Garnish with a fresh flat leaf parsley
 
Serves 4
ENJOY!

She Made Sea Shells… Read More »

In the mood for a fresh and flavorful side dish?
 This recipe will make you feel SPRING Time! 
 
Sautéed Sugar Peas and
Garden Squash with Rosemary
By The Gourmet Farm Girl



3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large sprig of fresh rosemary (remove a few leaves)
1 pound (fresh) sugar snap pea pods
1 small zucchini squash (cut into chunks)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium size sauté pan heat the olive oil till just warm; add the rosemary leaves and sprig; allow the rosemary to infuse the oil; about 1 minute. 
Turn heat to medium high; add the pea pods; sauté for 1-2 minutes till tender; add the squash and continue to sauté till all is tender and flavored 1-2 minutes more.
Salt and pepper to tast

Garnish with a new sprig of  fresh rosemary and serve.

Serves 5-6

ENJOY!

Spring is Pea Season… Read More »

I have been posting new recipes for my chili line on my website under IDEAS.  There are a lot of ways to use chili. If you have an idea or a way you use up leftover chili
 let me know. I’m always looking for a new idea!
 

Chili Biscuits

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
 
1 jar any flavor of The Gourmet Farm Girl Chili
(I used Spicy Bean)
1 16 oz. can of Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits  (8 count)
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 medium size avocado (diced)
sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
 
On a medium size ungreased baking pan separate the biscuits and press down in the center to form a pocket in two of them.
Reserve the other two for the top. 
Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese in the pocket and top with 2-3 tablespoons of chili; top with a bit more cheese
Gently stretch out the remaining two biscuits and place on top; using your finger tips press the edges to seal the biscuits together.
 
Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown, remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese; return to the oven until melted   
 
Top with fresh chopped cilantro
Allow to cool slightly before slicing, serve with avocado and sour cream
 
Yields 4 servings (recipe can be doubled)
 
 
 
 
 
Biscuit Chili Bowl  
 
Heat the remaining chili in a sauce pan, add your favorite meat if desired.
(I like adding about a 1/2 pound chicken sausage to this recipe)  
 
Use the same recipe above and place the biscuit right in a bowl of chili, garnish and serve   
 
Yields 4 servings
YUM!
 
 

Do you have an idea? Read More »


 Pork Tenderloin  with Cabbage Stuffing and Irish Whisky
By The Gourmet Farm Girl 
 
 
 
 
1 -1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 teaspoon Hickory smoked sea salt (or regular salt)
3 tablespoon Irish butter (or regular butter)
2 strips smoked bacon (cooked)
1 small onion chopped
2 cups chopped cabbage
1 medium size carrot diced or shaved
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
kitchen twine
2 shots of Irish Whisky
1 Tablespoon Irish butter

 

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
 
 
Fillet open the tenderloin on a cutting board and sprinkle with the salt; set aside
 
In a medium size skillet cook the bacon till crisp and set aside to cool; remove the bacon fat.
 
In the same skillet melt the butter over medium high heat and sauté the onion, cabbage, carrot, till tender and caramelized; about 12-15 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic, stir and remove from heat.
 
Chop the bacon into bite size pieces and add to the cabbage mixture along with 1 shot of the whisky. Pour the cabbage mixture over the tenderloin and gently roll length wise. Secure with kitchen twine and place seam side down onto a shallow baking pan lined with tin foil. (makes for an easy clean up) Pour the other shot of Whisky over the top of the loin and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145-150 degrees.
Remove from the oven and spread the additional butter over the top and  allow to rest for 5-7 minutes before slicing.
 
Note: Use a vegetable peeler to shave the carrots for nice thin strips 
 
*Serve the pork over mashed potatoes or potato pancakes with your favorite veggie and soda bread.
 
Serves 4-6 
 
ENJOY!


Irish Supper Recipe… Read More »



Chilean Sea Bass with Roasted Pecans

by The Gourmet Farm Girl

¼ cup chopped pecans
4 tablespoons butter (divided)
1 lb fresh sea bass- 2 fillets
(double recipe it serving more than two people)
¼ cup white wine

Preheat oven to 360 degrees
 
In a medium size (oven proof) pan sauté the pecans in 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat till caramelized 2-3 minutes; drain onto a paper towel
Place fish fillets in the same skillet skin side down; pour the white wine over the fillets; press the toasted pecans  on top of fish, (some will fall off) place a pat of butter on top of each fillet;
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or till fish is flakey; remove and let rest for 4-5 minutes before serving.
 

Quick and Delicious… Read More »