Thursday, August 1, 2013

Rustic Mediterranean Salad

Peppers are in season in Georgia.  The Edible Garden rows are bursting with five different varieties of peppers ranging from sweet to hot.  

Two bell peppers were used in the recipe below: ‘Tejas’ and ‘California Wonder.’  Bell peppers are rich in vitamins A and B and contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges.  Most green bell peppers are simply immature red bell peppers.  

Rustic Mediterranean Salad

15 oz can white butter beans, drained
1 cup canned artichokes hearts, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup kalamata olives, chopped
½ cup red onion, chopped
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 T white balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

In a large bowl, combine beans, artichokes, peppers, black olives and diced onions and toss.  In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.  Drizzle vinaigrette over bean mixture and toss again.  Garnish with chopped basil.

Recipe by Garden Chef Megan McCarthy

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Walnut Pesto Caprese with French Bread

May was a busy month in the Outdoor Kitchen with Garden Chef cooking demonstrations on the weekends and during Cocktails in the Garden on Thursday nights.  In addition, the Outdoor Kitchen served up seven dinner classes in May alone.  It’s early in the season and we hope you can join us for a cooking demonstration or class soon!

Garden Chef Christina Curry served up a delicious seasonal pesto for happy visitors one weekend.  Her recipe features a basil, arugula and walnut pesto.  Arugula is a peppery lettuce that pairs well with walnuts to make a smooth and buttery pesto.  If pine nuts were used, as in traditional pesto, the peppery flavor of the arugula might be overwhelming.  Chef Christina recommends tasting the mozzarella and adding salt to bring out the flavor as needed. 

Walnut Pesto Caprese with French Bread

8 oz fresh basil leaves
4 oz arugula
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
2 T lemon juice
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1/4 c olive oil
tomato slices
fresh mozzarella
French bread, sliced & toasted
kosher salt & black pepper, to taste
lemon zest, to garnish

In a blender or food processor, combine the basil, arugula, garlic, walnuts, lemon juice, parmesan cheese and olive oil.  Blend on high until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Spread the pesto on one side of French bread slices.  Top with a tomato slice and a slice of mozzarella.  Garnish with the lemon zest.

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