Recipe Type: Sides

January 4, 2014

Rye Crackers with Caraway

Rye

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12 large crackers
Easy to make and delicious whole-grain crackers, these are great on their own, topped with a spread made from smoked fish, or with a bowl of steamy soup. The recipe is adapted from Heidi Swanson’s Olive Oil Crackers at 101cookbooks.com. To roll out the crackers either a pasta roller or a rolling pin works well.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Bluebird Rye Flour
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt fine grained
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds or to taste
  • coarse flaked sea salt to taste

Methods

  • Whisk together the rye flour and salt in a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand-up mixer. 
  •  Add the water and olive oil, and mix with a dough hook attachment on medium speed for 5 minutes, or knead on a dry floured surface for 5 minutes.
  • The dough should be just a bit moist feeling, not too dry or too sticky. Add a bit more flour or water as needed while kneading.
  • Shape the dough into a large ball, roll into a thick rope, rub lightly with olive oil, cover with a clean dishtowel or plastic wrap, and let rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and if you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven.
  • When the dough is rested, uncover and cut into 12 equal pieces.
  • Flatten one piece and sprinkle on some caraway and coarse flaked sea salt. Knead together a bit to incorporate the seasonings, then use a rolling pin or pasta roller to shape it into a flat strip of dough, as thin as you can. Down to the 4 settings on the pasta machine works well. Cut the dough into the shape you like, or leave it as large rustic pieces.
  • Place crackers on a flour-dusted surface and repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
  • Cook a few crackers at a time, directly on the pizza stone, or on a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown at the edges, 8 to 10 minutes, remove from the pizza stone or baking sheet with tongs and let cool before eating.
  • Store in an airtight container or zip lock bag for up to 2 weeks.

Products used

 

January 4, 2014

Emmer Polenta with Cheese

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Compliments of: Acacia Larson MPH, RD, CD

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Bluebird Grain Farm’s Cracked Emmer
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup cubed or crumbled cheese OR 1 1/2 cup grated cheese. Use any cheese you prefer, but fontina is fabulous!

Methods

  • Combine the cracked emmer, broth and water in a medium pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes or until thick and creamy.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese to melt.
  • Serve on the side or under any kind of braised, roasted or grilled meat or vegetable
  • Fried Polenta leftovers: lightly oil a baking dish and pour in the polenta. Spread in an even layer to coat bottom of dish, then cover and refrigerate. Polenta will get firm, and can be cut into shapes and fried in a bit of oil for a crispy treat! Serve on their own, or with a sauce such as marinara.

January 3, 2014

Fall Farro Salad with Beets, Beet Greens, and Feta

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro soaked for one hour in water and drained
  • 2 medium beets cooked, reserve beet greens and cook as directed below
  • salt preferably kosher salt to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic minced or pureed
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin (or substitute 1-2 tablespoons walnut oil for part of the olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces broken
  • 2 ounces feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs (any combo of parsley, tarragon marjoram, chives, mint) chopped

Methods

  •  Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and the beet greens. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely and set aside.
  • Bring the water back to a boil, and add the farro. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, or until the farro is tender. Remove from the heat and allow the grains to swell in the cooking water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  •  While the farro is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the vinegars, salt, garlic and mustard. Whisk in the oil(s). Add to the farro.
  • Peel and dice the beets and add, along with the beet greens, feta or goat cheese, herbs and walnuts.
  • Toss together, and serve warm or room temperature with a little more cheese sprinkled over the top if you wish.

January 3, 2014

Potlatch Pilaf Breakfast Casserole

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8 servings
Recipe by: Bluebird Grain Farms
Delicious as part of a brunch buffet, or even for dinner, this casserole is a sweet and savory crowd pleaser. We procured our breakfast sausage from Thomson’s Custom Meats in Twisp, WA.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Organic Potlatch Pilaf
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cinnamon stick 2-inch piece
  • 1 sprig rosemary leaves chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • 2 1/2 cups broth use your favorite
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup plus more for serving if desired
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 breakfast sausage links use your favorite, meat or tofu based

Methods

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a 9×13 baking dish, combine the pilaf, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary and cherries.
  • Heat the broth until it is hot and mix in the mustard, syrup, salt and pepper. Pour the broth mixture over the pilaf mixture, and place the sausages evenly over the surface.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more, or until all liquid has evaporated.
  • Turn the oven up to broil, and broil briefly, just to brown the tops of the sausages.
  • Remove from oven and remove the cinnamon stick before serving. Serve as is, or with additional maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter breakfast.

January 3, 2014

Pilaf Chopped Salad with Toasted Cumin and Marjoram

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4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Potlatch Pilaf
  • 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons shallot finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large pinch black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 cup garbanzo beans cooked
  • 1 cup cucumber chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh marjoram leaves chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 avocado peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 1 small head romaine or leaf lettuce chopped

Methods

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the pilaf to a boil in 4 cups of water. Cover, reduce heat to low simmer, and cook for 20 minutes. Drain pilaf in a strainer and set aside to cool a little bit.
  • Meanwhile, put a small frying pan over medium heat and add the cumin seeds. Toast until fragrant and darkened a little bit, about 2 minutes. Put the cumin seeds in a mortar & pestle (or spice grinder), let cool for a few minutes, then coarsely grind.
  • In a small jar, combine the shallot, vinegar, cumin, salt pepper, olive oil and mayonnaise. Put the lid on and shake to combine, set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the garbanzo beans, cucumber, tomato, marjoram, feta and the pilaf. Toss with the dressing. Taste and add more salt & pepper if needed.
  • Salad can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Let salad sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving if possible. 
  • Just before serving, gently toss the salad with the avocado and lettuce. Enjoy!

January 3, 2014

Fresh Herbs & Farro Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup fresh herbs chopped (any combo of oregano, marjoram, mint, parsley, chives)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Methods

  • Measure five parts liquid to one part farro, boil gently for 50-60 minutes in salted water or stock. Farro is done when it’s tender, but still has a slight bite similar to al dente pasta. It doesn’t soak up the liquid as rice does, but expands and cooks in the ample liquid. Drain off excess when the farro is done.
  • Finely chop the onion, garlic and fresh herbs, set aside
  • Mix together in a bowl: 2 T olive oil, 3 T red wine vinegar, 1 t honey, a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. 
  • Add onions and garlic to olive oil and vinegar mix while farro cooks. 
  • When farro is done, drain and mix thoroughly with dressing and all of the freshly chopped herbs. 
  •  An assortment of embellishments would complement this salad: a pinch of cumin, golden raisins, dried cherries, chopped nuts, or enjoy it simply with the herbed dressing.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Farro with Arugula & Goat Cheese

farro with arugula, grain salad, best side salad
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4 people

Ingredients

For the Farro
  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt kosher or sea salt
For the Dish
  • 1 medium cucumber chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 3 ounces goat cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium shallot peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups arugula chopped

Methods

To Cook the Farro
  • Place the farro, water and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes. Drain excess water.
To Finish
  • Place the warm cooked farro in a large mixing bowl and add the olive oil and balsamic, stir to mix well.
  •  Add chopped shallot, arugula, cucumber and chevre and stir to combine all ingredients.
  • Season to taste with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Serve warm or chilled

January 3, 2014

PCC Natural Markets' Methow Valley Salad

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2 people
PCC Deli’s Methow Valley Salad has won the hearts of many. Hearty, fresh greens mixed with herbs and Bluebird’s signature Farro.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil oil
  • 1/4 pound roma tomatoes diced into 1/2 inch half moons
  • 1/4 cup carrots shredded
  • 1/3 pound chard and kale mixed (equal parts green kale, red kale and red chard, stems removed, cut into 1 inch pieces)

Methods

  • Soak farro in water overnight.
  • Bring water, pre-soaked farro, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 50 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool slowly at room temperature. Do not rinse.
  • When cooled, place in a large bowl and refrigerate.
  • Mix together lemon juice, garlic, dill, basil, remaining salt, pepper, and both oils until dressing is blended.
  • Toss dressing with grain, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots.
  • To serve, toss equal parts farro-vegetable mixture and loosely packed greens in a bowl.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Berry Salad with Fruit, Feta, and Pecans

Emmer Salad, summer farro salad, farro salad recipe,
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4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3/4 cup feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 3/4 cup dried or fresh fruit chopped (dates, cherries, apricots, grapes, blueberries, cranberries or combo)
  • 3/4 cup pecans toasted
  • 2 cups greens torn (such as kale, arugula, spinach, beet greens or a combo)
  • 1/2 cup green onion minced
  • fresh herbs of your choice for garnish

Methods

Dressing
  • Combine 1/4 c honey, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 2 T balsamic vinegar; mix well
Salad
  • Bring a large sauce pot of water to a boil. Add emmer grain and bring to a low simmer. Cook covered for 50 minutes or until berries are plump, soft, but still chewy. Remove from heat, drain grain and set aside to cool.
  • As berries cool toss lightly with a little olive oil or rinse with cold water to cool and re-drain.
  • While grain is cooking, toast your pecans.
  • Chop cheese and dried fruits into 1/4 – 1/2 inch pieces. Chop onions and tear greens of choice into 1 inch pieces.
  • When grain is cool, combine all ingredients and toss well. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs of choice and serve with grilled meat, fish or as a vegetarian main course.

 

January 3, 2014

Farro with French Lentils, Chickpeas, Roasted Red Peppers & Swiss Chard

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4 people
This summer salad recipe celebrates the flavors of grains, peppers, and fresh garden chard while adding a protein punch! Perfect for lunch or a dinner side dish.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1/2 cup French Lentils (Or 1 cup Bluebird Einka & French Lentils and omit separate items)
  • 1 16 ounce can chickpeas drained (I never have luck cooking chickpeas!)
  • 2 large red peppers roasted
  • 1 large bunch swiss chard chopped
  • 1 small red onion chopped finely
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon squeezed
  • sea salt
  • dash cumin

Methods

  • Pre heat oven to 450.
  • On stovetop, simmer Emmer farro and French Lentils together in 4 cups of water with a dash of salt for 45-50 minutes. (if using Bluebird Einka & Lentil blend, follow directions on package) Drain excess liquid. Cool.
  • While Emmer and Lentils are cooking roast peppers in oven for 30 minutes until the skins are wrinkled and peppers are charred, turning them twice during roasting. Remove from the oven and cover tightly until they are cool enough to handle. Slice in long thin strips.
  • Chop Swiss chard and onion.
  • Combine all ingredients together. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt and sprinkle with a pinch of fresh ground cumin.

 

January 3, 2014

Farro and Grilled Stone Fruit Salad

Farro salad, summer emmer salad, farro with fruit, grain salad recipe
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4 salads
Recipe by Bi-Rite Market
This farro salad recipe makes wonderful use of stone fruits such as nectarines, peaches or plums.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro dry
  • 4-6 whole stone fruit nectarines, peaches, plums
  • 1 head fennel
  • 1/2 bunch radishes
  • 1/2 bunch chives
  • 1/2 bunch parsley minced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Methods

  • Boil Bluebird Farro in salted water until tender, approximately 50 minutes. Drain and cool.
  • Shave fennel and radish.
  • Slice stone fruit. Grill flesh-side down for 1-1.5 minutes until showing grill marks but still firm. Quarter the halves.
  • Chop herbs. Juice and zest the lemon. Mince shallot.
  • Combine all ingredients together, add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

 

January 3, 2014

Summer Potlatch Cakes with Cherry Tomato-Fig Salsa

#PotlatchPilaf #farrocakes
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4 people
This recipe answers the question: what do I do with leftover cooked pilaf? If you start with already cooked grain, use about 3 cups. Serve with an end of the summer tomato-fig salsa and dinner is on the table in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 cup Bluebird Potlatch Pilaf
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups squash or zucchini
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup fresh figs chopped
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Bluebird Emmer Flour
  • 3 ounces goat cheese

Methods

  • Heat up one tablespoon olive oil in a medium sauce pot and sauté pilaf until toasted, about 2 minutes.
  • Add stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan, sauté squash over medium-high heat with another tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until soft and brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • When pilaf is cooked, spread out on a sheet pan and cool.
  • Mix in a large bowl with squash or zucchini, eggs, emmer flour, pinch of salt and pepper, and goat cheese.
  • Mix well, form into cakes and fry in some olive oil over medium high heat until golden brown on both sides. Keep warm in a 200 degree oven.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mix tomatoes, figs, two tablespoons of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and basil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Serve potlatch cakes with cherry tomato-fig salsa.