Hello Summer! Heirloom Tomatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, Grilled Sirloin & Gremolata, and a Black Pepper Frozen Souffle

It's been summer here since oh, when we moved back in May.

In my New Yawk City days, the A/C came on only *when absolutely necessary.* Times appear to be necessary. As a counterpoint, everyone in B'ham keeps saying, "wait until August" as if the swelter currently bearing down on me is child's play. Maybe I don't need to find out what they mean....?

Turning to foods that are a delight on hot days, I have created a meal which satisfies many things. With meandering trips through our new market, the Pepper Place Farmers Market, I found all that I need to highlight the bounty of the season. Big thanks to Heron Hollow Farm, Sanctuary Farms, Rora Valley Farm, and Holmestead Company for producing such beautiful and flavorful foods.

Pleasing the senses is what this menu is about..... crunchy, juicy, tangy, frozen, sweet, piquant, charred, and toothsome. Every bit, toothsome (even though my husband makes fun of me when I use that description). Don't take my word - see for yourselves! And write back if you find yourself some favorites....

Scroll down for recipes -

Heirloom Tomato, Sugar Snap Pea, Shaved Sweet Onion & Herb Salad

Chilton County Peaches.....

Hibiscus Summer Sparkler

Black Pepper Frozen Souffle with Chilton County Peaches

Char-grilled Sirloin with Gremolata

I imagine I have your attention by now. Make these recipes. They are largely simple, simple endeavors, and any effort you do exert, you'll recoup in the reward of eating them. It's that easy, really.

Now, for the recipes.....

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Shaved Sweet Onions, and Fresh Herbs
Serves 4

4-8 good-sized heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges - I used Cherokee Purples, Brandywines, and Green Zebras
1 small spring onion-sized sweet onion, sliced thinly on a mandoline - can use Vidallia if this isn't available
2 handfuls of sugar snap peas, rinsed and halved lengthwise
A handful of parsley leaves, picked from their stems
1/3 cup baby basil leaves, picked (or use regular basil leaves and tear them into smaller pieces)
large flake sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
good extra virgin olive oil
almost as much vinegar - use sherry, balsamic, or red wine vinegar - as the olive oil

Toss cut veg and herbs in a large serving platter. Whisk the oil and vinegar together, and at table-side pour over veggies. Scatter sea salt and pepper on top, and serve immediately.

Hibiscus Summer Sparkler 
Drink to a better world!
Makes 2 cocktails

Ratio 2:1 vodka to hibiscus liqueur - (can sub gin, tequila, or white rum, as you like) - Start with 1/3 cup white spirit and take it from there, adjusting if you have more or fewer guests accordingly
2 lemons, squeezed of their juice
1 tbsp thyme syrup*
sparkling water
fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

thyme syrup

2/3 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup water
4 sprigs fresh thyme

To make the syrup, heat sugar and water together in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 5-7 minutes, until liquid reduces slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Steep for one hour (or longer if you have time), allow to cool fully and then strain with a sieve, discarding the thyme. Seal in a glass jar and refrigerate - will keep for one month.

Stir all but the last two ingredients together in a tumbler filled with ice. Pour over ice into rocks glasses, top with the sparkling water, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Happy sipping!

Grilled Bone-in Sirloin Steak with Gremolata
Serves 4-6

2 inch-thick bone-in steaks, about 1 1/4 lbs each
1 bunch parsley, leaves picked and chopped
5 lemons, zested (save fruit for another use)
4 cloves garlic, worked into a paste
good extra virgin olive oil
a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
sea salt to finish

Start with the gremolata and combine the lemon zest, parsley, garlic, and a small glug of olive oil in a bowl. Set aside. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator at least twenty minutes before grilling. Place them on a platter, pat all surfaces dry, and season both sides well with salt and pepper. Preheat a grill for 7-10 minutes, and cook the meat 6 or so minutes a side for medium-rare doneness. A nice char will add flavor, so don't be concerned if the fat or flesh blackens! Allow the meat to rest for ten minutes before cutting off the bone (save to use for stocks or sauces) and then into slices. Top with the gremolata, finish with a scatter of sea salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy.

Black Pepper Frozen Souffle
Serves 8

12 egg whites (save yolks for pound cake, aioli, hollandaise, or another use as you like)
1 2/3 cups cream
1 cup cane sugar
2 lemons, zested, and juice from one
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; more if you like pepper
6 peaches, cut into wedges
confectioners sugar for dusting

Wrap a six-cup ramekin with parchment paper extending two inches above the rim and secure with a rubber band or tape. Set aside. Stir together lemon zest, juice, and pepper in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer to soft peaks, about 6 minutes. Gradually add in the sugar, beating between additions to combine. Once all sugar is incorporated, beat to firm peaks and glossy, about 3-4 minutes more. Fold the zest and pepper mixture into the egg white mixture until incorporated. In a separate bowl, beat cream for approximately 2 minutes, until soft peaks form. Fold cream gradually into the egg mixture, then pour into ramekin. Place in freezer at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove parchment collar, top with fresh peaches, and dust with confectioners sugar table-side.

After my labor of love to organize these tasty bites, I am having friends over to celebrate in style. I hope you enjoy the Fourth of July with people who have good taste in food, and even better taste in conversation. ;) Enjoy summertime lolling and the amazing bounty of the season!

Two Summery Salads

These photos are from a shoot I did for AARP magazine. Funnily enough, they comprise some southern dishes that happened to be a whole lot of fun to prepare... click the link for recipes. FYI, two things: I didn't use any sugar in the salad dressing (and it turned out *great*) and, ramen noodles tossed in melted butter and toasted are actually tasty. But I wouldn't make it a habit...

Thanks to Caitlin, my photo editor, for making the process so smooth and just all-around-great, and to Lauren and Jim, for making the work fun and filled with so much laughter. Oh those hams.

And this wonderful salad, below - almost that time of year again! - appeared in the latest issue of Anthology Magazine. It is my intention to do a redux in the next few days....after all, you can never have enough tomatoes.

For those of you who want to make this fabulous, simple salad:

Essential Panzanella

1 loaf of bread (I used challah, but any country loaf will do)
a large handful of shallots
a number of perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes*
good extra virgin olive oil
aged balsamic vinegar
large handful of basil leaves
sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

*I like a variety of hues and flavors—like the savory, intensely juicy Cherokee Purples, and bright, acidic Green Zebras

Cut bread into thick slices and then tear into bite-sized pieces. In a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, fry bread in olive oil. Peel shallots and cut into large wedges. In a bowl toss shallots with olive oil, and using a stovetop grill if you do not have access to one outdoors, grill on all sides. 

Cut tomatoes into bite-sized chunks.

Combine these three, arranged on a large serving platter, and dress with the balsamic and olive oil. Scatter with a bit of large flake sea salt, cracked pepper, and then the basil leaves. 

Make enough for guests to have seconds, because everyone will ask for more!

Springtime Travels and My New Life

It's not often I post a photo of myself. But, with so many different things going on all at once, I wanted to share just how happy I've been. This photo pretty much sums it up. 

With experiences stockpiling, I'm a bit frustrated that I haven't had the time (or energy after days adjusting to my new, full schedule) to sit and compose a wondrous tale for each of the vignettes I am going to share. So be it. I am happy as we settle in to our new lives in the South, and feel like I am living as if on a long vacation. We hope to keep it that way. 

Here is a bit of some meanderings from the past month or two - 

Gorgeous blooms - some of the first of the season, during our ill-timed but wonderful trip to Portland and Seattle in April - at The Meadow on Mississippi Street. This fell smack in the middle of us packing up ten years of a life in NY to move to Birmingham, and we both joked more than once about wishing we'd been more efficient and brought some stuff to pack while on this trip. Ha.

We found many great finds in the short time we stayed in Portland and felt genuinely welcomed by all of the people we met. Must. Return. Soon. 

For you New Yorkers with a hankering for a ridiculous artisanal chocolate selection, slabs of Himalayan pink salt, as well as numerous other bottled salts, don't miss their location in the West Village! It is a well-curated collection of good-living essentials....

We loved the Rebuilding Center. As I wandered the aisles, I had to remind myself I was taking a plane home *and* packing up far more of the very stuff collected in my years, and I certainly did NOT need more stuff at this moment. But, the vast collections of reclaimed, recycled just-about-everything at super reasonable prices made me wish a place like this existed in my own neighborhood.... One of the trucks parked outside said it best:

This place has its sights on the future of materials usage, as well as how we think about physical resources in general. Kudos to you guys for helping pave the way (literally) to innovative building practices. 

There was Por Que No? taqueria:  inventive, conscientious, and every bit delicious, and also the great vegetarian food truck Wolf & Bears, which had I been less hungry, you would see just how fresh and yummy their falafel and sauces were. Go! Eat well while supporting smart, local businesses. 

What is the best way to round things out? Topping off the experience with ice cream. (You knew I was going to say that.) For that, we hunted down Salt & Straw, and boy are we happy we did. 

With a hip space, excellent, friendly service, and dynamite flavors, you cannot go wrong. We chose the arbequina olive oil ice cream, and coffee & bourbon - damn good to the last lick.

In some ways all of this served as the backdrop to a pinnacle experience we were fortunate to have, that at an eco-homestead nestled in a quiet and beautiful neighborhood in the northwest. The Attunement Guest House had everything we needed and so much more. The radiant heat in the bathroom (I covet thee), the beautiful laying hens who supplied eggs for our breakfasts, the front "lawn" of spring onions, kale, and chard (available for harvest to go with those eggs), the newly constructed sun ray trellis which would nurture fig and kiwi trees.... and then there was our hostess, Joelle herself. She was a ray of sunlight and definitely a kindred spirit. I wish we'd had more time to soak up all the details and moments with her (and her awesome housemates). Another thing to come back for...

The breakfast shoot was unplanned. I think we were so wowed by the abundant, fresh food and feeling just so welcomed, that we both reached for our cameras to document our experience. Not the most eloquent subject - a humble veggie omelette - but the making it (and eating it!) was sheer bliss. I hope you experience some of that in the photos. For the recipe, scroll down....

Along the streets in both Portland and Seattle, everywhere was an explosion of blooms. I gasped aloud at least 7 or 8 times at the layers and abundance (there goes that word again) of all of the trees and plantings. Everywhere was so pretty, so considered.

There's more to this story, but it's long enough. I don't want to tire you out! I've mapped out more of my meanderings, so please stay tuned. I will be making more regular appearances once again, now having settled in to my new life in Birmingham.

Also, as per last post pre-move, Mira Zaki has won the giveaway. Congratulations Mira! I will be shipping your books out this week. Thanks so much for your patience.

Chard and Spring Onion Omelette
Serves 3

6 free range eggs
2 good bunches of swiss chard (you can also use kale, or broccoli rabe), rinsed and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh soft herbs (like parsley, dill, cilantro, thyme, etc.), coarsely chopped
freshly cracked pepper
a good knob of pasture-raised butter, divided in two
a good pinch of Himalayan pink salt (you can use regular sea salt, if that is what is available)

Scramble eggs in a bowl and season with a bit of pink salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. When it begins to bubble and become brown, add in the onions. Sauté for a couple minutes, then add in the chopped chard. Allow the chard (or whichever green you have chosen) to wilt in the pan, stirring to combine. Remove from pan and empty mixture into a sieve set over a bowl, allowing any leftover juices to drip out. Save liquid for stock or another use.

In same skillet, heat another pat of the butter until it sizzles, swirl around pan, then pour in the egg mixture and reduce heat to low. Tilt the pan every so often, using a rubber spatula to push egg away from the edge of the pan and allow the still-liquid part to seep over to the edge. Repeat, moving around the circumference of the pan, until no more liquid egginess remains. Once the omelette surface is solid enough to handle (and remain whole), use a long spatula to free it from the pan bottom, and with a *very confident* strong jerk, flip the omelette over, landing the omelette face-down into the pan. Scoot it center with the spatula if it didn't quite make it (many tries are necessary to perfect flipping a large omelette, so don't worry about tears the first series of tries). Scatter cheese across the surface, followed by the onion-chard mixture. With the spatula, fold one half of the omelette over and gently press the top down using the spatula butt. Remove from heat, cut into wedges and serve, garnished with herbs, sea salt and cracked pepper.

Some Fantastic News

I had planned on this being an Easter Egg story. I had some delicious, easy recipes gathered and almost all of the photography complete, when I received the big news. Are you seated? News that we are to move so I can grow a new branch in my work, as staff photographer at Southern Living Magazine. This was a many-month process and with the news now official, we realized we had to tell everyone. We are thrilled. And now, to move ten years of a life and home.

We have innumerable treasured stories from our lives in New York. The many friendships we have cultivated and nurtured, the not-so-savory path of "figuring things out" and taking on New York City day-to-day. Even the subway will have a more fond place for me as we transition to leave (is that even possible??).

Birmingham, Alabama will be our new nesting grounds (it is an egg story, after all). I will share bits from my new life as part of the talented staff at SL, but please be patient as we get settled. There will be *a lot* of boxes to unpack, farmers markets to discover so we can fill our refrigerator shelves, the task of driving to get re-aquainted with....... you know, new roots to grow. So thank you for traveling with me and being so supportive as we take the leap. See you on the other side!!!

Now, for various bits I have been cultivating to-date, and, another giveaway....
Scroll to bottom for recipes-

Shirred eggs with spinach, buttermilk, and ham

Ham Roast

"Buttered Eggs" - adapted from Canal House Cooks Everyday

Easy baked brioche jalapeño eggs

Chili Nutmeg Egg White Soufflé 

Egg Yolk Ricotta Ravioli

Simple recipes you can actually throw together - with a little care - at a moment's notice. For real. And totally delicious! Try for yourself and see.

In other bits launched, I spent some months' time fine-tuning my dear friend Chrissy's new look. We had many back-and-forths to refine things together, and I must say I was extremely fortunate to have such a similarly-minded collaborator.  She is one of the reasons I will miss New York so. Bird of a feather, in addition to swapping stories about delicious food lovingly prepared, I have benefited from her gifted clarity as a yoga teacher for many of my years here. The following are some of my favorites from our work together, along with a few images I shot for the story she produced on chocolate giant, Jacques Torres. 

 

See Chrissy's full story with Jacques, here.

And now for the giveaway!

I am offering BOTH the latest Food 52 Cookbook, as well as The Complete Gluten-Free Whole Grains Cookbook to one lucky recipient. You are likely familiar with the witty style and interesting creations from Food52. I love their weekly updates and am a big fan of their simple, no-nonsense approach. In the cookbook - signed by both Amanda and Merrill - choose from seasonal recipes like late-night coffee-brined chicken, roasted fennel and white bean dip, state fair cream puffs, pastitsio, and heavenly oatmeal molasses rolls, along with a chock load of others. With great mise en place photos and others showing process, and, of course, many drool-producing final creations, you're sure to succeed at some pretty tasty offerings!

From Robert Rose Publishers in Canada, the Complete Gluten-Free Whole Grains Cookbook includes great things like nutritional profiles and preparation guides on many grains, from buckwheat groats to hominy to teff, along with many more familiar grains like amaranth, oats, and rice. This is a great reference tool! Recipes include: almond-flavored millet with cherries, cockaleekie soup (a traditional Scottish recipe), congee with Chinese greens and barbecued pork, kasha and beet salad with celery and feta, amongst many others - 125 in all. Each recipe comes with a detailed chart highlighting its specific nutritional benefits. Pretty cool stuff. :)

To win: subscribe to my blog and leave a comment (with a means to contact you, should you end up the winner) explaining what foods/recipes make you feel happy and satisfied. For an extra name in the hat, follow me on Twitter - @melinaphotos - and leave a note there, and like my Facebook page - Melina Hammer Photography - leaving a comment there. Each comment gets you an additional ticket, so to speak. :) I will add everyone together and pull a name at random. Chances to win this giveaway end at midnight EST, Sunday April 14th. This is available only to continental United States participants. I will announce the winner shortly after, and contact you for your shipping address to send along the books. Good luck!!!

Recipes-

Shirred eggs with spinach, buttermilk, and ham
makes one serving

2 free range eggs
a small pour of buttermilk (around 2 tbsp)
a good handful of spinach - will cook down, so be generous
a few slices of roast ham (see following recipe)
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup comte or gruyère cheese, grater
sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
butter to grease the casserole
olive oil for sautéing 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). In a small skillet set on medium heat, pour a glug of olive oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and stir around once the greens begin to wilt. In all it should take about 7 minutes tops. Remove pan from heat. Grease the casserole and line the edge with the ham. Scoop the spinach-garlic mixture into the center, and pour the buttermilk over. Season with s+p. Sprinkle a little of the cheese, then crack the eggs into the center. It can be helpful to hollow a couple wells for the eggs to nestle into. Finish by adding most of the rest of the cheese, saving the last bit to sprinkle as it comes out of the oven. Place on a baking tray and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the whites of the eggs are set. Add more s+p to taste and one last scatter of the cheese, handle carefully with potholders, and serve.

Roast Ham
serves 18-20

18 lb smoked free range ham, ham hock cut off and saved for another use
2-4 cups apple cider
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
spicy mustard for serving

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F) and remove all but lowest rack. Score the surface of the ham in 1-inch spacing, first in one direction, then turn the ham a quarter turn and then scored again. Should make a diamond patchwork design. Place ham in roasting pan and then slide it carefully into the oven. Pour enough cider to fill bottom of pan. Roast, checking in 15-20 minute increments, and refill bottom of pan with cider. This keeps it from burning and smoking up the house. 

After roasting for 1 hour, in a small saucepan over medium heat, stir to combine honey and sugar until sugar has dissolved and the mixture becomes a glossy, thick liquid. Remove ham from oven and paint the honey-sugar glaze all over. Replace in oven and roast for another half-hour and then remove again, painting glaze all over once more (you may need to reheat the glaze, as it will thicken when left to sit).

In all, the ham should roast for up to 2-2 1/2 hours, and be golden and caramelized when done. Serve the pan sauce beside after draining off the fat, along with spicy mustard.

Easy baked brioche jalapeño eggs
makes 12

12 pull-apart brioche dinner rolls
4 free range eggs
6 slices bacon
1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced on a mandoline
1/2 cup mascarpone
sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Use a small serrated blade to hollow the centers out from the rolls and save for another use (like croutons or bread crumbs). In a bowl, scramble the eggs with s+p and the jalapeño slices. With a butter knife, slather mascarpone on the insides of the rolls, then set each a few inches apart onto a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Eye the length needed for the bacon and line the rolls, trimming to fit. It is okay to have a few small pieces overlap - tastes great and looks just as good. Pour the egg mixture in slowly. If any overflows, scoop it up with a rubber spatula and try again. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until there is no jiggle when agitated. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve.

Buttered Eggs, adapted from Canal House Cooks Everyday

as many free range eggs as you think you'll need, then add a few extra - these will go fast!

Toppings can include (feel free to get creative here) -
torn ham pieces (great to use some leftover ham for this)
sliced Dutch matjes (a DELICIOUS fresh herring from Holland, I got mine from Russ & Daughters)
sliced sable
cucumbers, sliced very thinly on a mandoline
wild salmon roe
wasabi flying fish roe
crème fraîche
good mayonnaise
fresh dill
fresh chives

Fresh eggs do not peel easily once hard-boiled, so plan accordingly and use eggs that are 1-2 weeks in your refrigerator. In gently boiling water, lower eggs into saucepan. Eggs should be in a single layer, with about an inch of water above them. For soft, custard-like hard-boiled eggs, cook for no more than 9 minutes. Drain, running cold water over eggs, then place in a bowl with cold water in refrigerator until cool enough to handle. Tap on counter surface and begin peeling at rounder end, where the air pocket is. Once peeled, rinse off any shell bits and cut into halves. Set aside.

Prepare slices of any of your toppings as appropriate and chop or tear herbs. Smear or spoon the mayonnaise or crème fraîche, followed by fish or meat, followed by roe or herbs. You can also prepare small bowls of each topping to allow guests to make their own, which makes a festive, pretty presentation. Enjoy!

Egg Yolk Ricotta Ravioli
serve 2-3 ravioli per person

wonton wrappers
egg yolks from very fresh free range eggs
ricotta cheese
freshly grated nutmeg, if you like
pink Himalayan sea salt
freshly cracked pepper
fresh chives, cut on the diagonal
freshly grated grana padano or parmesan

Fill a large pot with water and season generously with salt. Heat on high to bring to boil. Meanwhile, lay out a number of wonton wrappers on a clean, dry work surface. Create a ring of ricotta in the center of each wonton. Sprinkle with the sea salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Carefully lower an egg yolk onto each ring - it is essential that they remain unbroken or you must re-do. Wet the edges of the wonton with water and press a second wonton over top, sealing the edges. You will need to crimp or pleat in places, in order to gather the surfaces and seal them properly. Repeat until you are finished with however many ravioli you have decided to make. 

Lower each ravioli with a slotted spoon into the gently boiling water. After a maximum of 2-3 minutes, lift ravioli from water with slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper. Place onto serving dishes, grate cheese on top, and scatter with fresh chives. Serve with a green salad or steamed asparagus.

Chili Nutmeg Egg White Soufflé - from my mother
serves 4

2/3 cup parmesan, grated and divided into 1/2 cup and the remainder
1 cup grated gruyère cheese
3 tbsp butter, plus more to grease ramekins
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
egg whites from six free range eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp chili powder
good pinch of freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Grease four ramekins. Sprinkle parmesan inside and turn to coat all surfaces. Empty out any remaining into the next, and repeat until all ramekins are lined with parmesan. Place in freezer. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and add flour. Stir to combine and for three minutes continue stirring, cooking roux. Gradually add in milk and stir continuously, bringing to a boil. Lower heat to simmer and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring, and add in the nutmeg, chili powder, and cayenne. Remove the pan from the burner, stir in 1/2 cup parmesan, and transfer to a large bowl.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until they hold stiff peaks. Fold in 1/4 of the whites into the sauce. Fold in the remaining whites, along with the gruyere, until all are combined. Remove ramekins from freezer and place on a baking tray. Spoon mixture into ramekins, leaving 1/2-inch space from top edge, and top with the remaining parmesan. Bake the soufflé for 30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve immediately. 

Happy Easter everyone!!! xxx ;-)