Have a happy, healthy & yummy 2009!

Happy New Year!

Little Edibles' wish for the foodies in the house:

1.) Support your local farmers! Farmers work so hard. We have to show our gratitude to the people that put in 18-hour days to harvest and provide our food. Have you hugged a farmer today?

2.) Buy organically! Chemicals, hormones and pesticides? No thank you.

3.) Buy locally! Seek out food artisans in your area! Every town has its story - whether it's a candy, cheese, wine or jam-maker. Go find them and support them.

Have a happy, healthy & yummy New Year!

Green Beans w/ Brown Butter & Toasted Hazelnuts

Tender-crisp beans are topped with a nutty, toasted hazelnut butter.

1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends snapped off
1 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 - ½ cup hazelnuts {or another nut}, skinless & chopped
salt and pepper

(1.) Add the green beans and teaspoon of salt to a large pot of boiling water. Cook until the beans are bright green and tender but a little crisp, about 4 minutes.
(2.) Drain beans in a colander and transfer to a warm serving dish.
(3.) While the beans are cooking, place the hazelnuts in a small skillet over medium heat. Toast for 2 – 3 minutes, just until fragrant. Transfer to a plate. Heat the butter in the skillet, stirring frequently for 3 minutes. Add the hazelnuts back into the butter and cook for 1 additional minute. Season with salt and pepper.
(4.) Drizzle the browned hazelnut butter evenly over the beans. Serve immediately

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 - 6

Golden Potato Gratin w/ Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese

Golden Yukon potatoes, baked with caramelized onions and a rich goat cheese sauce, form a delicious potato gratin recipe.

¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 – 3 large yellow onions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 pounds Yukon gold or baby red potatoes, boiled
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup goat cheese, crumbled
½ teaspoon white pepper
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
butter for pan

(1.) Preheat oven to 350°. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 baking pan. Set aside.
(2.) Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, sugar and salt. Saute until golden brown and caramelized; this will take about 30 – 40 minutes. Stir occasionally; too much stirring will prevent the onions from caramelizing.
(3.) In a medium saucepan, combine the whipping cream, goat cheese and pepper. Cook the cheese mixture over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the cheese melts, about 7 - 10 minutes. Set the mixture aside
(4.) While the cheese is cooking, slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch thick slices. Evenly layer the parboiled potatoes in the pan. Evenly top with the caramelized onion mixture.
(5.) Pour the cheese mixture over the potatoes and then cover the potatoes with the Parmesan cheese.
(6.) Bake for 35 - 40 minutes, until bubbly & golden brown.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Serves: 8