Creamy Velvet Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Sage

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

MDF’s take on a creamy, velvety pumpkin bowl soup with crispy sage!

This soup will be sure to satisfy your winter cravings.  The perfect bowl of comfort, this warming soup is also a real crowd-pleaser.  As you know, we like to mix things up at MDF so we added Granny Smith apples for an underlieing tartness which adds freshness and cuts the richness of the pumpkin.  I am a soup gal, always have been and love soup for breakfast, lunch or dinner with a crusty loaf of hot bread.  I grew up in a house of soup artisans, there was always a pot of simmering goodness on the stove.  The smell filled our kitchen and was truly intoxicating .   If I wanted soup for breakfast my mom or grandmother were happy to oblige, going to school with a full belly of warm soup was just as good as a belly full of a hearty breakfast.  I have followed this tradition with my kids, they love the option of having soup for breakfast.  Enjoy this recipe it so easy to prepare and freezes beautifully.

 Pumpkin Soup with Sage

 Roasted Pumpkin for soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized sugar pumpkin
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut whole pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and quarter
3. Place pumpkin quarters  on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
4. Roast until tender but not falling apart, approximately 45 minutes. Let cool, peel away meat, and cut into small dice.

Soup

 Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1  Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
• 2 cups roasted sugar pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon sage leaves
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (retain a pinch for garnish)
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Pinch ground cayenne pepper
• 1 cup cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Fried sage leaves
• Roasted papitas

Directions:

In a medium to large stockpot over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion, carrot, apple, roasted pumpkin, and sage until tender, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Puree the mixture in a food mill (you can also use your food processor or blender.  (we just prefer texture from mill)

Return the puree to the stockpot, add the chicken stock and spices and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add cream and simmer for 10 more minutes. (do not boil)

Fry fresh sage leaves in olive oil in a small saucepan until rise to the top of oil and become crispy.

Season soup  with salt and pepper.

Garnish with crispy sage, roasted pepitas, and fresh thyme leaves.

MDF Down Home Meatloaf …redefined

MDF Down Home Meatloaf 

One of the best feel-good foods is our next go-to sandwich, the humble old fashioned meatloaf sandwich.  We would venture to guess, that just about every family has a recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation of this down-home classic.

With so many variations, this American staple may be customized to your liking, there are so many choices, such as the addition of oatmeal, crumbled cheese, hard-boiled egg, and even a blanket of bacon to keep the loaf moist, flavorful and tender, the options are endless.

Our mighty meatloaf is open-faced, packed with high-quality meat, our MDF ketchup, a rustic toasted roll, and if that wasn’t enough, we have crowned it with a fried egg.  It couldn’t be more comforting or satisfying.

The secret to making this recipe, is to keep the mixing and handling to a minimum, keeping the loaf moist and tender.  Our tasty tangy ketchup adds to the moistness and the concentrated flavor is hearty, thick and chunky.  Next, we added crisp peppery rocket leaves and juicy ripe heirloom tomatoes for a pop of freshness.  Then a farmer’s egg, which just takes it over the top, the runny yellow yolk, for us, makes it our ultimate comfort food.  The prep to plate for this tried-and-true classic takes no time at all and is worth making over and over.  Adding this recipe to your collection is a must.

MDF Down Home Meatloaf Sandwich

Ingredients:

• Rustic style roll (we served our’s open faced and used the the bottom of the roll)
• Generous slice of MDF Meatloaf (recipe below)
• MDF Glaze (recipe below)
• Rocket leaves to taste
• Thick slice of Heirloom tomato
• 1 egg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Butter bottom of roll and place butter side down on a griddle or medium heat skillet to toast.
2. Brown meat loaf slice on both sides in 1 teaspoon of olive oil in skillet or on griddle until heated through.
3. Fry sunny side up egg.
4. Place meatloaf slice on toasted bread, top with MDF ketchup to taste then add tomato and rocket leaves.
5. Top with fried egg.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

Options for other toppings:

Fried onions, cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapenos, dill pickles, or bread and butter pickles.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 
cup yellow onion, minced
• 3 
cloves garlic, minced
• 1
 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2
 pound ground beef
• 1/2 
pound ground pork
• 1/2
 pound ground veal
• 1/2 
teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2
 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1
 egg, beaten
• 1/2
 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix onion, garlic, Worcestershire and bread crumbs together.
3. Combine ground meats with breadcrumb mixture.
4. Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper.
5. Add the egg and milk combine thoroughly, but don’t over work the meat.
6. Use a greased loaf pan as your mold, (or use your hands to free form) fill it, lightly packing then turn the meatloaf out onto a lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for approximately 90 minutes, glazing after 10 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes.  Until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through.
8. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let it cool, about 90 minutes.

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup MDF Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over the meatloaf after 10 minutes cooking time and again after 30 minutes and again at 60 minutes.

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

Modern Day Forager

An ode to ketchup and mustard…

We all know that ketchup and mustard are the king and queen reigning the condiment world, while we know there is something nostalgic about commercial brands, don’t leave it in the hands of Heinz and French’s.  Embrace making your own handcrafted customized concoctions.

Making ketchup is really quiet simple, and the flavor combinations are endless.  So why not?  If you have an abundance of tomatoes from your garden this summer, why not use these juicy orbs of goodness and build a better ketchup?

MDF FARM FRESH KETCHUP

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 small bulb fennel, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 pounds fresh tomatoes (experiment with your favorites)
• 1 1/2 cups filtered water
• 1 cup red wine vinegar (3/4 cup if you don’t want ketchup tangy)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar

Directions:

1. Place the first 12 ingredients in a large pot over a medium-low heat for 15 minutes stirring often.
2. Add the tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups of water.  Turn heat to medium-high stirring often, until liquid is reduced by half.
3. Pour mixture into a food processor and process until smooth, then pour mixture through a mesh sieve into a clean pot.
4. Over medium heat stir in red wine vinegar and brown sugar, and reduce to the thickness you desire.
5. Cool and then store in refrigerator.

If you prefer a chunky style, just omit the sieve step.

Don’t hold the mustard or cut the mustard, make mustard!  This top dog condiment is surprisingly a cinch to make.  However, there are a few basics you need to understand about the process for making really good quality mustard.  First, the seeds need a good crushing and grind, and the key here is to add cold liquid (cold stout in this recipe) to add moisture to the mustard seeds.  Mustard gets its bite when the cracked seeds release volatile oils, much like capsaicin, the “hot” in chile peppers and when mixed with the liquid, the result is pungent and spicy.

Second, heat will temper the chemical reaction (much like cutting a onion) so, hot mustard, cold liquid, warmer liquid a more mellow mustard.  Also, in addition of the cold liquid remember that adding an acid is crucial to the recipe.  If you don’t add the acid, the mustard will lose its bite over time.  Adding vinegar, for instance, will stop and set the chemical reaction in place.

Mustard is extremely versatile, with many variations, it livens up and pairs well with sandwiches, cold meats, cheese, greens, burgers and hotdogs.  Rj and I are from Chicago and the only way to eat a dog is with mustard, sorry ketchup.  It also is a great emulsifying agent/stablizer for salad dressings, marinades, dips, sauces and spreads.  By making your own, you avoid all the goop of artificial flavors, fillers, colors and homemade just tastes better. 

MDF Extra Stout Mustard

 Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds, crushed
• 2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds, crushed
• 1/3 cup Cold Guinness Extra Stout
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 small clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mason jar, cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Pour the ingredients into a food processor or blender and process until the seeds are broken down and you reach your desired consistency, it will thicken the more you process. (You may also use an immersion blender right in jar)
3. Store in your refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

Modern Day Forager

Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

A sweet  indulgence!  Goat cheese and pink peppercorns are the perfect match for our MDF wheelhouse.  They fit the criteria of being out of the box, something we would want to make over and over again and something we would want to serve and share with everyone.

When thinking about this recipe we had a lot to consider, first, we needed a goat cheese that would not be overly  strong, but something light and delicate, a mild cheese that still could hold its own, yet, still had some zip and tang.  For us, it had to taste like a rich and creamy cheesecake.

Next, we added  pink peppercorns, which by the way, are not really peppercorns at all, they are dried pink berries from a rose shrub.  Who knew?  These lil pink pods are packed with spicy floral notes that add real depth to the ice cream, and a little bit of attitude and at the same time add some bite and chew.

To push it over the edge and make it MDF worthy, we went all out and added lil chunks of rich honey comb to really make this icy goodness stand out,  and with that, we just knew, we had to add the addition of  drizzled honey into the ice cream mix, for a sweet mouth feel and a sweet finish, and boy oh boy, this sweet freeze will surly keep you coming back for more.

 

 Ingredients:

• 4 ounces good quality fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoons pink peppercorns, coarsely ground (we use mortar and pestle)
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup honey comb, diced
• 3 tablespoons honey drizzled in end product

Directions:

1. Place goat cheese, honey and peppercorns in a large bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, warm the milk and sugar.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks.
4. Slowly pour some of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, constantly whisking, to temper the eggs.
5. Return the mixture to medium heat and continue whisking until the mixture thickens and coats your spatula well, pour it through a sieve onto the goat cheese, honey and peppercorns, stir until the cheese is melted and smooth.
6. Stir until cool over an ice bath or chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
7. Freeze it according to your ice cream maker’s manufacturer’s directions.

Transfer to a freezer safe storage bowl, stir in honey comb pieces, and drizzle honey and combine, then cover and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Modern Day Forager

Figgy Ice Cream

Figgy Ice Cream

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

One of the reasons we took on ice cream this week is that we have been noticing a trend in the ice cream world, that ice cream never seems to taste enough like what it claims to be, or fully embraces the characteristics of the ingredients being used.  We wanted to see if we could change that and focus on showcasing and highlighting the ingredients from beginning to end.

So here is the scoop with our recipe, we have packed it full of fig flavor from fresh figs and figgy pudding bitters in the ice cream base and then finishing it off by garnishing the freshly churned ice cream with even more fresh figs, taking advantage of their wonderful texture, that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds.  We think this says summer loud and clear.

Ingredients:

• 20 + 2 fresh organic black mission figs, diced
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons fig bitters (we love AZ Bitters Lab Figgy Pudding Bitters)
• 3/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Place 20 diced figs in a medium saucepan with milk, cover and cook over medium heat, until tender, about 8 minutes.
2. Add the sugar, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the figs are jam like, another 10 minutes.
3. Purée the mixture with bitters in a food processor until smooth.
4. Stir until cool over an ice bath or chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
5. Freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Sprinkle with diced figs and serve.

Modern Day Forager

Chocolate Stout Ice Cream + Float

 Chocolate Stout Ice Cream + Float

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

No matter what your age, we think there is something really satisfying, watching creamy rich vanilla ice cream being scooped into a tall chilled glass and then the anticipation of  ice cold root beer being poured over the scoops, to create a old fashioned soda fountain float.  It’s what comes next, that is one of the best parts of this old school treat, there is the foam, the spill over and if that wasn’t enough, the top off of root beer, plus the nifty straw you get to stir, swirl, slurp and sip your icy glass of goodness.  Does it get any better?

We think not!   We replaced the traditional vanilla flavor of the ice cream and churned out our own milk chocolate stout ice cream.  To build the float, we added some stout to our chilled glass giving us better control when we added the scoops of ice cream and the splash of beer, making a thick head of foam and overflow but not making a huge mess.  The result was a extremely rich, thick, malty (with hints of hoppy bitterness), that really complimented the intensely flavored ice cream, creating a truly decadent dessert.  Who says the kids have to have all the fun this summer…?!?

Ingredients:

• 7 ounces milk chocolate, grated
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• pinch of salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup chocolate stout
• pretzel pieces, to taste, as garnish

Directions:

1. Place chocolate pieces in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Warm the milk, sugar, vanilla bean and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, then slowly pour some of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, to temper the yolks.
4. Then add the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
5. Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat,  scraping the bottom as you stir, once the mixture thickens and coats the spatula, pour it through a sieve on to the milk chocolate, stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
6. Whisk in the cream and stout.
7. Stir until cool, over an ice bath or chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator
8. Freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Ingredients:

Ice cream
Stout

Directions:
Pour about half the stout in your chilled glass, (this will allow the ice cream to set up and you will have better control) followed by a large scoop of ice cream, then add a second scoop on top of that, add a splash of the stout to cover all of the ice cream to get a thick head of foam, add your favorite straw and serve immediately.

Modern Day Forager

Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

A sweet  indulgence!  Goat cheese and pink peppercorns are the perfect match for our MDF wheelhouse.  They fit the criteria of being out of the box, something we would want to make over and over again and something we would want to serve and share with everyone.

When thinking about this recipe we had a lot to consider, first, we needed a goat cheese that would not be overly  strong, but something light and delicate, a mild cheese that still could hold its own, yet, still had some zip and tang.  For us, it had to taste like a rich and creamy cheesecake.

Next, we added  pink peppercorns, which by the way, are not really peppercorns at all, they are dried pink berries from a rose shrub.  Who knew?  These lil pink pods are packed with spicy floral notes that add real depth to the ice cream, and a little bit of attitude and at the same time add some bite and chew.

To push it over the edge and make it MDF worthy, we went all out and added lil chunks of rich honey comb to really make this icy goodness stand out,  and with that, we just knew, we had to add the addition of  drizzled honey into the ice cream mix, for a sweet mouth feel and a sweet finish, and boy oh boy, this sweet freeze will surly keep you coming back for more.

 Ingredients:

• 4 ounces good quality fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoons pink peppercorns, coarsely ground (we use mortar and pestle)
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup honey comb, diced
•  3 tablespoons honey (local if possible)

Directions:

1. Place goat cheese, honey and peppercorns in a large bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, warm the milk and sugar.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks.
4. Slowly pour some of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, constantly whisking, to temper the eggs.
5. Return the mixture to medium heat and continue whisking until the mixture thickens and coats your spatula well, pour it through a sieve onto the goat cheese, honey and peppercorns, stir until the cheese is melted and smooth.
6. Stir until cool over an ice bath or chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
7. Freeze it according to your ice cream maker’s manufacturer’s directions.

Transfer to a freezer safe storage bowl, stir in honey comb pieces, and drizzle honey and combine, then cover and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Modern Day Forager

I scream, you scream, we all scream, for ice cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

Recipes by Rj of Urban Table

Photo Styling & Art Direction by Traci of Urban Table

Photography & Art Direction by Heather of Heather Gill Photography

We all yearn for the days of the ice cream man, and our favorite quintessential summer time treat.  Well, we are here to tell you it is easier than you think, to churn out handcrafted artisan ice cream that tastes like an old fashioned summer.  We are pushing the flavor boundaries this week, while celebrating National Ice Cream Month with a few frosty and icy goodies we came up with.

So here is our inside scoop, and  boy did we have fun.  We started with all-natural fresh ingredients and made our ice cream in small batches.  To ensure even more quality, we used our local sources and farmers, which gave us a better end result.  So no matter what your age, these recipes will make you as happy as when you were a kid,  running down the street with a big old grin on your face, your pocket change and crumpled up wad of dollar bills in hand, to be the first in line to get your favorite frozen novelties.

Enjoy!!!

Modern Day Forager
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Street Food

Street Food

Street food is authentic, affordable and approachable; it pulls no punches and is straightforward.  We are hitting the pavement and eating curbside this week, no passport required!

Food hawking has long played a role in our rich global history; it links us to our past, another place, time, how we eat and how we explore.

Chances are, when you taste on the street, you are tasting a traditional family recipe, handed down from generation to generation.  This take-away fare is so satisfying, chocked full of flavor, honestly prepared and there is a sense of pride in every bite.

What we find so exciting about the street food scene is that it gives us a sense of continuity and community.  There is an informality that promotes ease, reassurance, and comfort when eating with your hands.  It truly has a way of uniting us all.

There is also a wonderful proficiency, resourcefulness and economy of effort of street traders.  Everything has its place and there is a rhythm , theatre, and  celebration of human ingenuity.

You walk up, take in the sights and smells, order your food, wait in line, and no matter what your economic background, everyone coexists and in the end, it is always about the food, how it is crafted and where it comes from.

So do the legwork and take to the streets, experience the outdoor food stalls, halls, trucks and street side vendors.   Culinary integration plus cultural diversity equals an experience that is a veritable moveable feast.

Enjoy!

Modern Day Forager

Summertime Melon, Salchichon Salame, Local Greens with Saffron Honeydew Splash

Summertime Melon, Salchichon Salame, Local Greens with Saffron Honeydew Splash

When your local greens and produce are at the height of the season capture all their essence and get some color.  Make this super-simple fast, fresh and easy recipe.  You are sure to shine!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Tuscan cantaloupe, cubed
• 1/2 cup white honeydew, cubed
• 1/2 cup yellow honeydew, cubed
• 1 cup Asian melon, cubed
• 2 cups Tuscano kale, chopped
• 1 cup chard, chopped
• 1 cup arugula
• 1 head frisee lettuce, chopped (any well textured lettuce will work)
• 1 bulb fennel, julienned
• 1/4 pound Salchichon salame, julienned (any cured meat will work)

Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Season with salt and pepper then toss.

Dressing:

• 2 cups honeydew melon, seeded and cubed
• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil (neutral)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4-6 threads of Saffron
• salt and pepper to taste

Puree honeydew in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl, pressing with a wooden spoon.

Add oil, lime juice and zest, honey, saffron, salt and pepper; whisk to combine. (my preferred method is to shake in a mason jar)


Modern Day Forager