grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Sunday Letter: 09.19.21

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Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Fall officially begins on Wednesday, and I am oh-so-ready for cooler temperatures! We desperately need a rain in Northwest Arkansas. Our plants are tired and thirsty in a way the garden hose can’t quench.

Even though the heavens have been stingy with rain, the trees are beginning to show fall color in our neighborhood. When you live in a place long enough (and walk dogs 3-4 times a day), you learn which trees are the first to turn, which sidewalks will soon be covered in yellow leaves, which canopies become bright orange and flaming red. I’ve been studying those trees every day. And each day brings us closer to that magic time of year.Continue Reading

Radicchio stuffed with Goat Cheese & Walnuts

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Radicchio stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

If you’re looking for a fancy-ish salad for Easter or any special gathering, try radicchio stuffed with goat cheese and walnuts. The combination of sweet and salty pairs well with most any protein. These radicchio salads can be eaten the traditional way (with knife and fork), or the naturally cupping radicchio leaves can be wrapped and eaten as a finger food or appetizer (i.e. lettuce wrap).

This recipe calls for both goat cheese and balsamic vinegar—two staples in my house. My favorite goat cheese comes from White River Creamery in Elkins, Arkansas. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, find it HERE.

Also, I highly recommend De Nigris 1889 balsamic vinegar. The 1889 in the label refers to the year Armando de Nigris founded the first vinegar works in Naples, Italy. The rich, flavorful vinegar will take your dish up a notch.  Find De Nigris EVERYWHERE.Continue Reading

Simple Summer Salad

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Simple Summer Salad

Certain flavors are happy together. One enhances the other. This simple summer salad does just that. The combination of only a few ingredients sing. Try it, you’ll like it, even if you’re one of those people who doesn’t appreciate the under appreciated radish.

Trust me, use butter lettuce (also known as Boston and Bibb). Butter lettuce is usually found it in a plastic container with the roots knotted at the bottom. This variety is super duper fresh because it’s still alive. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of washing lettuce, and butter lettuce is easy to wash because the leaves are loose. Although this lettuce is a bit more expensive than some, there is no waste. You will eat the entire thing, other than the roots, which you will toss in your compost. The leaves are sweet. As you will taste with this simple recipe, you don’t have to dress up butter lettuce to make it flavorful. And, these leaves are especially perfect for wraps.

Now about radishes. The radish often gets a bad rap. People don’t like them for whatever reason(s). But you might want to learn because the health benefits are astounding. From liver detoxification (hello drinkers…) to respiratory cures (allergy sufferers!), radishes even help with insect stings. Plus, they are easy to grow, inexpensive to buy, and a bag will last months in your fridge.

Look how gorgeous they are!

Simple Summer Salad with gorgeous radishes!

 

Okay. I’ve stated my case, so now on to my simple summer salad. I know you will love it!!

Simple Summer Salad

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly chopped dill
  • 1/2 Tablespoon freshly chopped chives
  • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
  • 1 head of butter lettuce torn into pieces
  • 5 radishes thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Toast pine nuts in a 375 degree oven until golden brown. This doesn't take long, about 5-7 minutes depending upon your oven.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayo and herbs.
  • Arrange lettuce and radishes onto salad plates. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Drizzle with creamy dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

What’s your favorite summer salad?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]This will soon be your favorite summer salad! Promise. #simplerecipes #gardentotable #IHeartRadishes[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Happy Together, The Turtles

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!