Reminiscent Times at Red Dog
As I’ve returned to farming, my time so far has felt serendipitous. Although today marks just the two week anniversary of my beginnings at Red Dog, I’ve been quick to remember why farming is such a holistic practice. Each day I arrive at the farm with my comfy clothes and rain gear, ready to indulge in nature for the next eight hours. I’ll be harvesting produce in the fields, getting dirty with mud, and it feels like a healing of my inner child, not caring about being encased in mud. As I plant tomatoes in the greenhouse, I can only be...
read moreArugula Sandwiches
All recipes make 2 sandwiches. Ham and Arugula Sandwich6-8 oz. honey ham deli meat2/3 cup Red Dog arugula2 tablespoon shaved fresh asiago cheeseLight mayonnaiseDijon mustardFreshly ground black pepper (optional)2 ciabatta rolls or bread of choice Bacon Chicken and Arugula Sandwich2 flat breads or naans3 tablespoon hummus3 slices bacon, fried4 ounces deli meat2 slices monterey jack cheese1 tomato, sliced1 cup Red Dog arugula1 teaspoon butter (for frying the sandwich in) Goat Cheese Sandwich2 slices sandwich bread9 thin slices of English...
read moreSpinach & Green Onion Scramble
Makes 2 servings. Canola oil1⁄2 bunch Red Dog green onion, cleaned and diced (white and green bits)3 cups Red Dog spinach3 eggs1 Tablespoon sour creamSalt and pepper In a medium sized non-stick skillet, heat up the canola oil on medium high heat while you dice the green onions. Saute the green onions for about a minute. Mound the spinach on top of the green onions. (It’ll look like a lot, but it will cook down quite a bit.) Turn the heat up to high, add a few splashes of water to the pan, and then put a lid on it. Allow the...
read moreRadishes with Green Onion Aioli
Serves 2-3. 1 bunch Red Dog French breakfast radishes1 Red Dog green onion1 garlic clove1 cup mayonnaise2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oilKosher salt to tasteBlack pepper to taste Preheat the oven to broil. Place 1 cup mayonnaise in a small serving bowl or plastic storage bowl (if making ahead). Wash the green onion, cut off and discard the root tip, cut in half, place on a small baking tray; set aside. Peel garlic clove, slice in half if large, place on the tray with the green onion, sprinkle both with salt and black pepper,...
read moreWinter Roots, Spring Roots
I began my time at Red Dog on a frigid, misty February morning and was amazed to learn my first task would be harvesting carrots. Coming here after a few seasons of farming in Vermont, I’m still not used to the abundance that comes out of our fields even in the colder months. This particular winter harvest was a huge one and the whole crew spent two days dragging muddy crates out of the field. Afterwards, I got to experience the joys of barrel washing and watched as glowing orange carrots appeared as the layers of dirt were sprayed down the...
read moreGreens With Bacon
Serves 2. 1/2 pound Red Dog greens (turnip greens and/or chard; collards or kale would also work)3 strips bacon1/4 cup chopped onion1 clove garlic, mashed and minced1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperPinch red pepper flakes1/2 cup chicken stockSalt, to tasteHot pepper sauce, or pepper vinegar, optional Remove any thick stems from the greens and discard them. Chop the leaves. Dice the bacon into 1-inch pieces. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until it begins to brown and some of the fat...
read moreArugula & Mushrooms
Serves 2. 1/2 tablespoon olive oil5 ounces mushrooms, quartered1/2 red onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced3 Tablespoons vermouth or white wineSprinkle of saltSmall pinch chili pepper flakes1⁄4 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano or parsley)4 cups Red Dog arugula, ripped into bite size piecesDash of nutmegGrated cheese (optional) In a large pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add mushrooms, onions, and garlic, stirring the while cooking, about 4 minutes. The pan will be dry til the mushrooms release some liquid. Deglaze the pan...
read moreBeef in Tomato Sauce with Chard
Serves 6. 1½ lb. sirloin steak, diced (or other kinds of steak, like chuck steak or rib-eye steak)½ medium white onion, sliced2 Tbsp. vegetable oil1 clove garlic, minced2 serrano peppers, diced (or 1 jalapeño pepper)1 28-oz. can roasted crushed tomatoes1 bag Red Dog chard, chopped3 sprigs cilantro Salt & pepperSeason the meat with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil at medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until it is well browned, about 8-10 minutes. Stir the beef from time to time,...
read moreThe Transplanter
The tractor crawls along, the transplanter rolling behind it – creeping, really, slow and steady. Long, green, metal arms reach out, supporting three seats for three riders. All aboard! We plop down, settling into our positions. The transplanter sways with us, bouncing slightly under our bodies. In front of us are shelves, holding 25 or 30 trays. Each tray made up of 72 or 128 cells, each of these containing a baby plant. We pull trays down from the shelf and into our laps. The tractor hums loudly. The pitch heightens as the tractor...
read moreRoasted Carrots and Green Onions With Thyme and Hazelnuts
Makes 2 servings. 1/2 ounce hazelnuts (about 1/8 cup)1 bunch Red Dog baby carrots1/2 bunch Red Dog green onionsSalt and freshly ground pepper1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oilOptional: a drizzle of hazelnut oil or walnut oil for serving Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until they smell toasty and are golden all the way through (cut one in half to check). Remove from the oven and turn up the heat to 425 degrees. Immediately...
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