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There is no cheese that I enjoy more than high quality, handmade ricotta. For years I poo-poo’d it because all I had ever tasted was the shelf stable, strangely homogeneous, fairly tasteless, mass-produced grocery store variety. And then a few years ago…

A mini dish of cabbage gratin — Not the greatest picture, but still tasty!
Savoy Cabbage Gratin with Saint-Marcellin
From All About Braising by Molly Stevens
3 T. butter
1 head savoy cabbage (about 1 1/2 lbs), quartered, cored, and sliced into 1/2 inch wide shreds
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, sliced into 1/2 inch-wide pieces
salt and [...]

Dandelion Greens, Photo courtesy of Mariquita Farms that runs a fantastic CSA (March -Nov) and also offers $25 “mystery boxes” through the winter

 
Chicken and Dandelion Greens Gratin
1 large bunch dandelion greens, about 1 1/4 lbs, cleaned and stems removed
3 small boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 10-12 oz)
2 T. butter, divided
1 [...]

 
Tomatoes at the San Carlos Farmer’s Market (2006)

Tomato and Cheese Auflauf
Adapted from Tomato Pie at Simply Recipes
serves 3-4, depending on accompaniments
~1 1/4 lbs ripe tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1/4 c. basil, slivered
Salt and Pepper
2 c. grated mixed cheese (suggestion: 2/3 c. mozzarella, 2/3 c. cheddar, 2/3 c. gouda)
3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 T. [...]

 Pie Crust with Rendered Bacon Fat (aka Bacon Grease Pie Crust) (aka the BEST pie crust ever)
1 c. rendered bacon fat
2 1/2 c. AP flour
1 t. salt
1/2 t. sugar
4-6 T. very cold water
Measure bacon fat and then freeze either in plastic wrap or a platic cup/bowl for approximately 1 hour.  Remove cold fat from freezer, [...]

Summer Squash and Roasted Tomato Timbales
makes 2 timbales
- 3 fist sized round green summer squash, or an equal amount of small zucchini or other summer squash
- olive oil
- between 4 and 12 roasted tomato halves, depending on size (see recipe below)
- 8 or so large basil leaves
- 3 – 4 T. farmer’s cheese or good [...]

 
Beet Towers with Farmers Cheese and Oranges
2 medium beets, washed, greens removed
1 small orange (Cara-cara are my favorites)
~ 2-4 T. farmers cheese or good quality ricotta
Black Pepper
Preheat oven to 400. Wrap beets in a foil packet and roast for about 1 hour, or until beets are tender and can be easily pierced with a [...]