Saratoga Farmers' Market

butter

Instant Pot Bolognese

By

Recipe by Healthy Gourmet Kitchen
Makes: 8 servings
Total time: 30 min

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 1 lb. ground meat of choice (beef*, lamb*, pork*, turkey, or plant-based)
● 1 package Healthy Gourmet Kitchen Bolognese meal starter kit*
● 1 onion diced*
● 2 lb. tomatoes* OR 1, 28 oz. can whole or diced plum tomatoes
● 1 cup white wine
● 1 cup milk*
● 4 tablespoons grass-fed butter*
● 12 ounces penne pasta

Directions
1. Turn Instant Pot to saute medium. Add butter and allow it to melt slightly. Add chopped onion and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add ground meat and break it up so that it crumbles. Continue to saute until the meat is brown.
2. After meat is browned, add white wine and the Healthy Gourmet Kitchen Bolognese meal starter pack on top of the meat.
3. Add milk and tomatoes. If you are using fresh, whole tomatoes, squish them or chop them up. Add pasta and push so that it is submerged under the liquid.
4. Secure the lid on the Instant pot and close the vent. Press manual for 4 minutes.
5. When the cooking time is complete, allow 5 minutes to pass for natural release, then move the vent to remove the rest of the steam. Remove the lid, top with grated cheese, and enjoy!

Lightened Up Strawberry Shortcake

By

Recipe adapted from Food Network Kitchen
Total time: 1 hr 20 min
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Shortcakes:
● 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
● 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
● 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
● 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
● 3 tablespoons cold salted butter*, cut into small pieces
● 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
● 1 large egg*, slightly beaten
● 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon low-fat buttermilk*

Filling:
● 4 cups strawberries*, hulled and sliced
● 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
● 1 tablespoon orange juice
● 1 c. heavy whipping cream
● 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt*
● 2–3 Tbs honey*

Instructions
1. For the shortcakes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
2. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and work it into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles a coarse meal.
3. Whisk together the lemon zest, egg, and 1/2 cup of the buttermilk in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture and lightly mix with your hands or a spoon until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. With lightly floured hands, gently pat the dough into a 7­inch round about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 8 equal wedges. Space the shortcakes evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon buttermilk. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. For the filling: Combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, and orange juice in a large bowl. Let stand until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is syrupy, about 15 minutes.
5. Pour whipping cream, Greek yogurt, and honey into a mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until soft peaks form. Taste and add more honey to match your preferences.
6. Split the shortcakes. Place the bottom halves of the shortcakes on plates and top evenly with the strawberry mixture and yogurt. Cover with the shortcake tops.

Farmstead Macaroni and Cheese

By

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Argyle Cheese Farmer, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

 

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 1 Tablespoon butter*
● ¼ cup chopped onion*
● 1 Tablespoon flour
● 1 Tablespoon dry mustard
● dash cayenne pepper
● dash garlic powder
● 1 cup milk*
● ½ pound Amazing Grace Cheese* (from Argyle Cheese Farmer but your favorite sharp cheddar will work)
● 1 cup cooked elbow macaroni

 

Instructions
1. In a sauce pan melt butter, cook onion until tender. Stir in flour, mustard, cayenne pepper, garlic powder.
2. Add milk and cook, stirring until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce.
3. Put in 1 quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees from 20 minutes or more. Top should be golden and starting to brown.

Notes
In a food processor add buttery crackers and process until crumbs. Sprinkle ¼ cup over the casserole along with a little grated cheese.

Burger with Onions & Mushrooms

By

Adapted from recipes by My Nourished Home and The Kitchn, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 8

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Photo by Pattie Garrett

For the Onions and Mushrooms:
● 2 to 3 Tablespoons olive oil*
● 3 Tablespoons butter*
● 2 large sweet onions*
● 16 ounces mushrooms* (shiitake* and/or oyster*)

For the burgers:
● 2 pounds ground beef*
● 1/2 small onion*, finely chopped
● 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
● 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
● 1 teaspoon garlic powder
● Freshly ground black pepper
● 6 hamburger buns, split

Instructions

For the Onions and Mushrooms:
1. In a large saute pan, heat the oil and butter on medium-low. Peel and slice the onions into long, thin slices. Place the onions in the pan, add salt and pepper to taste, and carefully toss to coat all the onions in the oil and butter. Allow to caramelize, stirring occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes. They’ll turn a warm brown color.
2. Add the mushrooms to the onions, carefully toss to coat them with oil. Continue to cook on medium-low. The mushrooms will become soft and browned.

For the burgers:
3. Heat the grill. Heat an outdoor grill to high heat (about 450°F). On a charcoal grill, arrange the coals to create high heat and a low heat cooking zone (direct and indirect grilling). Meanwhile, prepare the burger patties.
4. Season the beef. Place the ground beef on a baking sheet and gently pat it into a log. Use your thumb to make a deep trough in the center. Sprinkle the onions evenly into the trough. Whisk the Worcestershire, tamari or soy sauce, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Sprinkle this over the onions. Finish with a few grinds of fresh black pepper over everything.
5. Shape the patties. Pinch the ground beef closed around the onions. Divide the meat into 8 equal portions using a chef knife, a bench scraper, or your fingers. Use your hands to gently flatten each portion into a patty about 1-inch thick. Try not to compact or overwork the meat. Let the burgers sit at room temperature until the grill is ready, about 20 minutes.
6. Grill the burgers. Place the patties on the grill in a single layer. Cook until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until grill marks appear on the second side, about 2 minutes more. If using a charcoal grill, move the patties to a lower-heat (indirect) area of the grill. If using a gas grill, reduce the heat to medium. Grill 2 to 3 minutes more for medium-rare burgers, 3 to 4 minutes more for medium, or 5 to 6 minutes more for well-done burgers.
7. Assemble the burgers. Place a patty on each toasted bun and serve with toppings.

Pantry Pot Pie

By

Pantry Pot Pie, photo by Pattie Garrett

Shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 1 10-inch skillet or 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
For filling:
● 2 Tablespoons oil (or butter*)
● ½ onion*, chopped
● 1 garlic clove, minced
● 1 teaspoon dried thyme
● 2 carrots*, diced
● 1 cup potatoes*, peeled, cooked, and diced
● 1 cup of mixed vegetables*, frozen, canned or fresh
● 1 10 ½ ounces can of cream of celery (or chicken, mushroom etc)
● ½ can of milk (or ½ cup)
● 1 chicken breast*, skinless, cooked, and diced.
● Salt and pepper
For the pie crust (One ten-inch pie crust):
● 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
● ½ teaspoon salt
● ½ cup vegetable shortening
● 3 to 4 Tablespoons cold water

Instructions
1. For the filling: In an oven safe skillet, heat oil. Add onions and saute until tender. Add garlic and thyme. Add carrots and cook until carrots start to soften. Add potatoes and mixed vegetables. Pour in 1 can of cream of celery and ½ cup of milk (1/2 can of milk). Add more milk if needed, up to a full can of milk. Add the cooked chicken. Salt and pepper to taste.

2. For the pie crust: Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the shortening thoroughly. Sprinkle in water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, mixing until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans side of bowl. Add 1 to 2 more teaspoons of water if needed.

3. Gather dough into ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured board. With floured rolling pin, roll dough 2 inches larger than skillet. Fold into quarters and unfold on top of skillet with filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or longer.

Farm to Pantry: Making meals with ingredients on hand

By

By Julia Howard

Pleasant Valley Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

Our responsibility, by direction, is to stay at home and only head out for essentials when absolutely necessary. As we settle in safely for the weeks to come, many are looking to foods that store well, foods that are easy to prepare, and, most importantly, foods that are available right now.

While food bloggers hail smart and savvy ‘pantry meals’ that utilize canned goods, rice, and beans, the farmers’ market offers an expanded palette of foods that are easy to store and last longer than most produce found at grocery stores.

Vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots are often at the core of savory, hearty meals. They are durable and have a good shelf life, and these vegetables work well in diverse meals depending on preparation methods and seasonings. Please note that garlic is currently unavailable at market.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Milk, butter, cheese, and eggs are staples that most of us keep in constant rotation in the refrigerator. These binding ingredients are often what pulls the meal together. Milk may be used to create a creamy finish to soups and sauces like a classic roux – which is made from butter, flour, and milk. Eggs can be used to create satisfying omelettes and frittatas with endless possibilities for fillings. Cheese is essential for homemade pizza, quesadillas, baked ziti, and numerous other dishes.

Saratoga Apple, photo by Pattie Garrett

Shelf-stable vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and turnips can last for several weeks when kept in a cool, dry place. These vegetables can be the main stars of any meal, soup, or salad, and they are high in nutritional value. Even fruits like apples can keep for 2-3 weeks. Having a variety of these long-lasting fruits and vegetables inspires cooking that’s creative, comforting, and simple.

Meat and poultry are necessities for most, and they can be bought directly from farmers. Ground beef, whole chickens, and steaks and roasts can be kept frozen and thawed under refrigeration once you are ready to prepare them. Leftovers from a large roast or a whole roasted chicken may be used in a variety of dishes and soups as well.

While shopping at the farmers’ market, please remember to follow universal precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please try to send one member of the household to shop and give 6’ space while shopping. Only touch products that you commit to buy and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after shopping.

If you plan to shop for something specific, please check our website and social media pages for updates. These are changeable times and we are working to keep you up to date with vendor and product availability each week.

 

This week’s recipe: Pantry Pot Pie