Maybe you saw it, but I had a recipe featured in the Washington Post Food section yesterday. Okay, okay, so it didn't have my name on it, but it was my recipe. Here's the back story.
A couple of years ago, my sister, Sarah O'Herron (who, as I have written before, owns Black Ankle Vineyards with her husband, Ed Boyce) asked me to develop a recipe for a booklet that they were putting together for the Frederick Wine Trail. She wanted something that would complement their white wines. Develop a recipe?!?! Of course! Even in those days before hidethecheese, that was right up my alley.
I developed a recipe for risotto with fresh greens to suit the season and to complement Black Ankle's Gruner Veltliner, one of my favorites. I sent it to Sarah who forwarded it on, and I thought that was the end of it. But sometime later, when Lucie Snodgrass put together her book, Dishing Up Maryland, she asked Sarah if she could use the recipe. Sarah asked me and off it went. Sarah tried to get my name included in the book, but there was some legal mumbo jumbo about a waiver and what not (and this coming from me, a lawyer!). The long and the short of it is that my name did not make it into the book or the Post's article.
But you, readers of this blog, you know the identity of the "sister of winemaker Sarah O'Herron." And the cookbook, with recipes and stories gathered from Maryland's farms, looks to be a treat. I'm eager to get my hands on a copy.
So here's the recipe for Risotto with Fresh Greens and Basil. We just made the recipe the other night using spinach, but with one twist. We used ramps in place of the onion. If you can get these mild onions at your farmers' market, they are a treat and add some fresh spring pop to the dish.
To make this substitution, use about 6 ramps. Separate the green ends from the bulbs and chop both. Add the chopped bulb at the beginning instead of the onion and the tops at the end with the greens and basil.
P.S. Did I mention that I have a recipe in the Washington Post Food section? Eeeeeek! I may just have to open a bottle of Gruner Veltliner to celebrate.
Second Helping: Egg Salad with Tarragon and Shallots
What a great story! Funny, when I saw this recipe I actually thought of you and that it would be something you would make. It sounds delicious!
Posted by: Catherine | April 22, 2010 at 11:38 AM
I saw the recipe but obviously did not read this closely. How cool! I am impressed, but not surprised...This sounds so delicious.
Posted by: Patti | April 22, 2010 at 06:42 PM
I'm making it with the greens I got today in my CSA box!
Posted by: Carey | April 22, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Congratulations!
Ramps...had some today in some soup at Restaurant Eve. It was the first time I've been there and I'm scheming on how to get back soon. Vegetarian options took a little negotiating, though.
Posted by: Andrea | April 22, 2010 at 07:56 PM
We made this for dinner on Monday and it was absolutely delicious. We drank our Gruner Veltliner about two weeks ago and I couldn't find another one so I had to use a Chardonnay. I am thinking I will head to the farmers market today to buy more ramps!
Posted by: Jamie | May 01, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Thanks for all of your comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, and I hope it turns out well for the rest of you. As for me, I just picked up the new 2009 Gruner, but haven't had a chance to drink any yet. I'm not sure any will make it into the risotto, though.
Posted by: Margy | May 03, 2010 at 09:41 AM