How to Pan Roast Almond Panko Fish

This technique is a light and refreshing alternative to breaded fish. It can be used year-round and paired with endless sides for a perfect seasonal meal. Shown above, is a citrus arugula salad with roasted vegetables (recipe coming soon) .

INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz Grapeseed Oil
• 1 cup Raw Sliced Almonds
• 2 Tbsp Parsley, chopped
• 1 cup Panko Crumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl Dijon
• 2 Tbl Honey
• Chilled water
• 1 oz Whole Butter
• 8 -12 oz Wild Caught Cod Filet

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 225 F. Bake almonds in an oven safe pan for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Move them around occasionally to keep from burning. Set aside and let cool.

Mix 1 oz. oil, salt, panko and toasted almonds on flat plate. I used a small sheet tray. Hand-crush  almonds into panko crumbs.

Take two small bowls. In one bowl put the mustard and honey and in the second bowl pour cold water.

Dip a brush into the chilled water and then dip into honey mustard mixture and lightly brush cod with thinned-out honey mustard.

After fish has been thinly coated place in panko-almond mixture to cover flesh side.

Preheat oven to 405 F. Heat an oven safe large pan on med-high heat. Add 2 oz oil.

Heat oil and butter until butter is foaming.

Then lower to medium heat and add fish filet flesh side down. Cook for about a minute until golden brown.

Flip filet and place pan in the oven for 8-9 minutes.

Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Paige Jones Photography 

Foraging Georgia Ramps + Pickling Recipe

 

Recently I had the opportunity to go foraging for ramps. I have wanted to do this for years, but the fleeting season always got away from me. Not this year! I was really excited to finally find these delectable onion, garlic bulbs to harvest.

My friend Jonathan and I got an early start leaving Atlanta at 4:30 am to our destination in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The scenery was amazing and rejuvenating.  After 2.5 hours we arrived to a small foot path where we began our trek.  After traveling up and down the path we finally arrived to a hillside where we would start harvesting.

Jonathan gave me a quick demo of what to look for and how to dig up without harming the precious bulbs. Once out of the ground we gave the ramps a quick shake and a good whip to get the moist, fertile soil off.

Then began the real work of scaling up the hillside at a forty-five degree incline while plucking them. Amongst the thick of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we were looking for bright green leaves, picking off any yellow leaves. It was a great experience and I found myself being brought back to my childhood when it was cool to play the dirt.

This experience was surreal, I was finding my own produce out in nature.  If Jonathan and I weren’t out here, these delectable goodies would not be able to enjoyed by our family, friends and fellow patrons.  I was proud to do the leg work for them.

The return hike with bags full of ramps along that foot path was much more daunting, and seemed like we were scaling huge mountain.  After making it back to his truck we distributed our finds amongst several large coolers, wrapping the ramps in towels to prevent them from sitting in icy water.

It was neat to know that I got to be part of the supply chain to provide fresh, local produce. I also got a glimpse of the hard work involved to do so, and have a greater sense of gratitude for our farmers, producers, and foragers.  The respect for the farms, earth, and the community that they offer each day is something that should not go unseen and should be given praise.  One of the reasons I enjoy our local markets is getting to know the face behind where my food comes from.

The trip had me inspired to highlight these bulbs and I began sounding like Bubba from Forrest Gump in my brainstorming, but instead of shrimp my mind was on ramps...Honey roasted ramps, pickled ramps, sautéed greens, ramp pesto, ramps in frittata, grilled ramps, and you get the point... For a chef you can't ask for better way to get motivated.  I got to take my experience of ramp harvesting and share that joy through my food for others to enjoy.

Best,

Jason Jimenez

Spicy Pickled Ramps Recipe

Since the season is short, pick up ramps from the farmers market this week to make this recipe.  Jonathan of Abundant Harvest Gardens sells them at FARM - Farmer's Atlanta Road Market on Tuesday and  Peachtree Road on Saturday.

For Blanching

• 1 cup Kosher Salt
• 1 gallon Water
• 2 lb. Ramps

Trim ramps, cutting the green leaves off and reserve for another use (great sautéed with carrots and made into a pesto).  Once bulbs are cleaned put a large pot on stove add salt and bring to a boil. Begin to blanch ramps for about thirty seconds. Remove from water, shocking in ice bath to stop the cooking. Once the ramps are cold through, pat dry, and place into pickling jars. Be sure not to overload jar with ramps.

For Pickling Brine

• 2 cups Champagne Vinegar
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Cane Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tbsp Szechuan Peppercorns
• 1 Tbsp Coriander
• 1 each Cinnamon Stick
• 1 Tbsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Crushed Red Chili Flake
• 1 Tsp Ground Turmeric

Combine water, sugar, salt, vinegar in a pot bring to a boil.  Once liquid is at a boil add spices and bring down to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Now pour hot brine over the prepared ramps to cover. Place lids on top, cool, then refrigerate. You can also preserve to eat year-round.

Enjoy with omelettes, frittatas, roasted chicken or duck, cured meats and cheeses.

FRESH BREAKFAST & LUNCH FOR ATLANTA BUSINESSES

We are excited to formally offer local businesses the opportunity to serve quality meals for their workshops, client meetings, moral-building for employees, or whatever event calls for "All the Fixin's".

As you know, we are not a catering company that is handling multiple orders a day…this means you get our undivided attention! Hiring Homespun ATL as your personal chef, we will provide affordable, fresh breakfast and lunch options served buffet or family style.

Minimum Group Size: 10 people. If you have less, please inquire for a custom quote.

Interested? Fill out the inquiry form, and will send over our packet with all the details and our full menu.

Photo Credit: Phil Sanders

Announcing: May Homespun Brunch

January Dinner Menu

SNACKS Grilled Cheese Bites Utterly Cool Smoked Gouda, Pine Street Market Bacon,

Spiced Pickled Apples, La Calavera Bakery Sourdough Bread

FIRST COURSE Creamy Riverview Farms Polenta with Roasted Sherry Mushrooms, Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Ricotta, Broccolli Micros

FAMILY STYLE MAIN COURSE Braised Pork Belly With Pan-seared Scallops French Green Lentils with Butternut Squash

Roasted Carolina Sweet Potatoes with Cipollini Onions, Fennel, and Brussels Leaves

Braised Red Cabbage and Swiss Chard with Red Carrots and Golden Raisins

DESSERT Citrus Blondie Orange Ice Cream, Candied Orange with a Champagne-Citrus Sauce

LOCALLY SOURCED Gum Creek Farms, La Calavera Bakery, Riverview Farms, Pine Street Market, Utterly Cool, Crystal Organic Farm, D & A Farm, Turnip Truck

Photo Credit: Kathryn McCrary Photography

How to Cut an Orange

Cutting oranges may be a more basic task in the kitchen, but here is a behind the scenes look.

1. First, cut the ends off to create a stable base

2. Cut the skin from the oranges sides

 3. Cut the oranges into crosswise slices, about 1/4" slices

Photo Credit: Paige Jones Photography

Lamon Luther at Vinewood Plantation

Contributors: Phil Sanders –  Photography // Lamon Luther - Tables // Sherry Donelly of Gertie Mae's - Table Scape Design // Jamie Jimenez  - Paper Goods // Vinewood Plantation –  Location

How to Cut Cauliflower

Did you know? It is best to wash cauliflower after cutting it.

1. First cut off the lower stem without cutting any of the white head.

2. Cut the head of cauliflower in half and then into quarters through the core. 

3. Using the tip of your knife, separate the individual florets from a head of cauliflower by cutting them away from the core. 

4. Cut down to size as needed for your recipe.

Photo Credit: Paige Jones Photography // Sources: 1, 2, 3

How to Cut Fennel

Ever wondered how to properly cut fennel? Follow the pictorial for a step-by-step guide as Jason demonstrates. Note:  To begin, cut off the stalks from the base and set aside. This will help to get long slices of fennel.

1. Cut the bulb into quarters through the core.

2. Working with one quarter at a time, cut (at an angle) all but about 1/8″ of the core so that the layers are still held together. 

3. At a 45 degree angle, slice the base into strips.

What to do with those stalks and fronds you set aside?

STALKS

• Add fennel stalks to a vegetable broth. They lend quite a bit of anise flavor, so use the broth with a fennel dish.
• The stalks also freeze well in plastic bags for later use.
• Use stalks and fronds with cooking fish. Whether you're grilling, poaching, or steaming, laying a few stalks and fronds alongside the fish will infuse the fish with the sweet fennel flavor.
• If you're into juicing, add the stalk to your next mix of fruits and veggies.

FRONDS - Pick the fronds from the stalks and use them like a herb with:

• In salads, especially if the salad contains fennel. They'll add just the faintest hint of licorice to each bite.
• Tucked in the cavity of roasted chicken or whole fish, alone or with other aromatics
• Chopped and added to marinades for fish or meat, along with garlic and other herbs
• Added to chunky vegetable soups during the last minutes of simmering
• As a bed for roasting swordfish or halibut fillets (both fronds and stalks)

Photo Credit: Paige Jones Photography // Sources: 1, 2

LOCAL: Garnish and Gather

A few weeks ago Jamie and I enjoyed a meal kit from Garnish and Gather. It was a Kale, Mushrooms & Goat Cheese Wilted Salad with Spice Rubbed Chicken. The whole experience was refreshing. I normally enjoy coming up with the dinner menu based on what ingredients we have on hand.

Garnish and Gather was a no-think solution. The ingredients were spot on, and everything was portioned out with minimal prep. The thorough instructions are great for the less confident cook. The dinner was wholesome AND we had leftovers. I particularly enjoyed the Caly Road Creamery Goat Cheese with the spiced chicken, paired with the local kale and toasted pecans. Garnish and Gather highlights our local farmer’s and does an awesome job sourcing seasonal, sustainable ingredients. 

I highly recommend trying out the service. There are pick-up locations around the city or you can have the meal kit delivered for a small fee. One of my recipes will be available next week, so if you're interested order today (by midnight to be exact).

You can also read the kind post on G&G's blog about their experience at a recent Homespun.