In the spring of 1831 Jan Lammers returned from the Belgian War of Independence to his farm near Brussels where he had stored chicory roots in his cellar while he away. He had intended to dry and then roast them for use as a coffee substitute. However, his chicory roots, having rested several months in the dark, damp confines of his cellar had achieved a different result. They had sprouted small, white, leafy shoots from the top of the root. ..read more
Produce
Produce
What is Endive?
Endive (pronounced “on-deev”) is a member of the chicory family, which includes radicchio, escarole, frisee and curly endive. It has a crisp texture and a sweet, nutty flavor with a pleasantly mild bitterness – great served raw or cooked.
So Special…It’s Grown Twice
Endive is one of the most difficult vegetables in the world to grow, requiring a two-step growing process before it is ready to be enjoyed. The first growth takes about 150 days in the field, where the chicory grows ..read more
What are Moon Cherries?
The flavor of these last-to-harvest cherries may be out-of-this-world, but these delicious cherries aren’t grown too far away from Mollie Stone’s. Available now, “moon cherries” come from Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee, WA. They are grown at fourth generation cherry grower Kyle Mathison’s Amigos Orchards, which is located 3,000 to 3,500 feet above sea level – literally a half mile closer to the moon.
Keep reading to learn more about these sweet Moon Cherries!
Plumcots and Pluots (plus stone fruit recipes!)
Plumcots and pluots are both hybrids of a plum and an apricot, and are relative newcomers to the summer stone fruit club. Plumcots, a 50-50 cross between plums and apricots, were developed by horticulturist Luther Burbank. The name “pluot” was trademarked by plant geneticist Floyd Zaiger, who originated the hybrid fruit (75% plum and 25% apricot) about 20 years ago.
Keep reading for more info & recipe ideas!
Unexpected Ways to Enjoy More Beets
Beets are wonderful in salads, but have you ever tried tucking them into a sandwich, folding them into a casserole, or pureeing them into your dessert?
Keep reading to get recipes for Beets & Melted Brie on Toast, a creamy pasta bake and chili (and beet) spiked brownies.
Recipe: Moroccan Beets and Herb Salad with Yogurt Dressing
Here’s one to bookmark for a quick, refreshing salad: Moroccan Beets & Herb Salad with Yogurt Dressing. This recipe is made with ready-to-eat Love Beets dipped in a mild vinegar, which are tossed with tender spinach, flavorful fresh herbs and a creamy, spiced yogurt dressing to tie it all together.
The best part? It comes together in 10 minutes. Keep reading for the easy recipe!
We adore Love Beets!
Love Beets is a line of unique, cooked fresh baby beets that started out of the United Kingdom in 2010 and recently became available in the United States on the West Coast. A premium beet, they are the perfect “ready-to-serve” salad topper, side dish or healthy snack.
Love Beets are newly available in our produce section. Why does everyone at Mollie Stone’s adore Love Beets? Let us count the ways:
No need to plan ahead: Sure, you can roast beets at home. ..read moreRecipe: Apple, Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
Adding fruit such as pears and apples to your salad can add lots of extra flavor and texture. This elegant Apple, Pear & Goat Cheese Salad highlights Taylor’s Gold pears, accented by a creamy goat cheese sauce and a sweet apple walnut vinaigrette. Tip: Prepare all of the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
Keep reading for the recipe.
Rich, Juicy & Sweet Taylor’s Gold Pears from New Zealand
Taylor’s Gold Pears come to our produce departments from New Zealand. Available for a limited time each year, these smooth-skinned pears are delicately perfumed with a creamy, juicy, tender flesh that offers extraordinary flavor. They are perfect for snacking fresh, or slicing for salads. They also beautifully complement many wine and cheese choices:
Keep reading to meet some of the New Zealand growers behind our Taylor’s Gold pears.
Recipe: Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
One of our favorite ways to enjoy the classic springtime duo of strawberries and rhubarb is an unadorned, lattice-topped Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. All you need is height-of-the-season produce, a bit of sugar to offset rhubarb’s natural tangyness, and some tapioca to thicken the fantastic fruity juices that will bubble up as the pie bakes.
Keep reading for our Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe!