These are heady, easy-sell days for vendor stands featuring local produce, where aromas of sweet corn, buckets of cantaloupe and plates of fresh-cut peach slices are more effective marketing tools than any government-run campaign.
Still, Maryland, for example, likes to pat its farmers and vintners on the back with programs such as the Buy Local Challenge week and Maryland’s Best Agriculture.
Ideas for how to enjoy all that Maryland bounty come together in the form of an online cookbook. Its recipes come from state chefs and farmers, with a select number showcased at an annual cookout hosted by the governor and first lady at Government House in Annapolis. While some are multi-component dishes that might dissuade novice cooks from trying them at home, the variety of seafood, vegetable and fruit options — with wine pairings — is broad enough to see us through September.
For more information, go to www.buy-local-challenge.com/index.asp and www.marylandsbest.net.
Mint and Sage Lemonade
Makes 1 gallon (16 servings)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from 6 to 9 lemons)
12 sprigs mint, preferably different varieties, such as chocolate, apple and spearmint
6 sprigs sage
1 cup sugar
Cool water
Steps
Combine the lemon juice and herbs in a nonreactive (glass or plastic) bowl; steep at room temperature for 3 hours.
Pour the juice mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a 1-gallon pitcher or container, discarding the solids. Stir in the sugar until dissolved, then add enough water to yield 1 gallon of lemonade.
Stir just before serving, over ice.
Tandoori Beef With Honeydew Tzatziki
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
For the beef
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seed, toasted and ground
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seed, toasted and ground
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 scallions, trimmed and chopped
2 teaspoons peeled, freshly grated ginger root
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 pounds beef tenderloin cut into large bite-size pieces
For the tzatziki
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 cup finely diced honeydew melon
Kosher salt
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt strained (to reduce liquid)
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1 medium jalapeno, seeded and minced
Steps
For the beef: Combine the yogurt, honey, peanut oil, cumin, coriander, black pepper, garam masala, turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, scallions, ginger and cilantro in a gallon-size zip-top bag. Add the meat and seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Massage to coat evenly. Refrigerate overnight.
Prepare the grill for direct heat. If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-high (450 degrees). If using a charcoal grill, light the charcoal or wood briquettes; when the briquettes are ready, distribute them under the cooking area for direct heat. You should be able to hold your hand about 6 inches above the coals for 3 or 4 seconds. Have ready a spray water bottle for taming any flames. Lightly coat the grill rack with oil and place it on the grill.
While the grill is heating up, make the tzatziki: Combine the cucumber and honeydew in a fine-mesh strainer seated over a bowl. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and use a spoon to work it in. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then press out as much liquid as possible; discard the liquid.
Transfer the cucumber and honeydew to a medium bowl, then add the yogurt, red onion and jalapeno, stirring to incorporate. Taste, and add salt as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The yield is 3 cups.
Skewer all of the meat and wipe away the marinade as needed; discard the marinade. Place the skewers on the grill; cook (uncovered) for 4 to 6 minutes (for medium-rare), turning them as needed, until the meat is browned and a bit charred on the edges. Transfer to a platter to rest for 5 minutes.
Grilled Peach Cobbler With
Sage Sweet Corn Ice Cream
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
For the ice cream
4 ears of fresh corn
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, stacked, rolled and cut crosswise into thin ribbons
9 large egg yolks, at room temperature
For the cobbler
6 ripe peaches
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
8 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 to 3/4 cup homemade or store-bought granola
Steps
For the ice cream: Slice the kernels off the corncobs, letting them fall into a large saucepan. Cut the cobs into thirds and add them to the pan, along with the milk, cream and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn off the heat and remove the cobs. Use an immersion (stick) blender or a blender to puree the corn kernels (working in batches as needed and returning the puree to the pan). Steep for 1 hour, off the heat.
Add the sage and return the pot to the stove. Cook over medium heat until bubbles begin to form at the edges, then turn off the heat.
Whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a heatproof mixing bowl. Add a cup of the corn-sage mixture to the yolks, stirring constantly, to temper the yolks, then pour all the tempered mixture into the saucepan, stirring to incorporate. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the ice cream base thickens enough to coat the spoon, about 10 minutes.
Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing down on the solids, which you will then discard. Cool, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to chill thoroughly.
Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker. Process according to the manufacturer’s directions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and press parchment paper against the surface of the ice cream; freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. The yield is about 3 1/2 cups.
For the cobbler: Prepare the grill for direct heat. If using a gas grill, preheat to medium (350 degrees). If using a charcoal grill, light the charcoal or wood briquettes; when they are ready, distribute them evenly over the cooking area. You should be able to hold your hand about 6 inches above the coals for 6 or 7 seconds. Have ready a spray water bottle for taming any flames. Lightly coat the grill rack with oil and place it on the grill.
Have an 8- or 9-inch baking dish at hand that can handle the direct heat of a grill.
Place the peaches cut side down on the grill. Cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until browned and lightly charred. Transfer to a cutting board to cool for a few minutes, then cut into wedges, arranging them in the baking dish as you work.
Add half of the butter, half of the brown sugar and half of the cinnamon; toss to combine.
Combine the remaining butter, sugar and cinnamon with the granola in a medium bowl; use a fork to blend well. Spread the mixture on top of the peaches, covering them as much as possible. Place on the grill and close the lid; bake until the peaches and granola are golden brown and bubbling, about 15 minutes.