The pomegranate is by far one of my most adored fruits. I discovered pomegranates at an early age, though I do not exactly remember how. But I do remember bringing them to school in my lunch bag, much to the chagrin of the nuns. By the time lunch was over I was bespeckled with a purplish juice which always stained my uniform. Eventually, I was banned from bringing them to school.

From the outside, the pomegranate seems formidable. Their thick skin has a deep red tone and when the fruit is fully ripe it should feel heavy. When you cut into a pomegranate you will discover beautiful ruby red seeds. This is the edible part of the fruit. The yellow membrane surrounding the seeds is inedible and if you have ever eaten it by accident you will know it is quite astringent. For me, part of the fun of the pomegranate is breaking open the fruit and removing the seeds. Sometimes, I just cannot wait and bite right in but that is when things get really messy. The juice from the pomegranate seeds is a deep red but will turn purple on your clothes and will stain anything it comes into contact with. I usually try to control myself and remove all of the seeds from the fruit, placing them in a bowl and then eat them with a spoon.

Pomegranates have become hugely popular and are grown commercially in California. Their juice is praised for being rich in antioxidants, packed with vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, niacin, potassium and vitamin E. It seems there are numerous pomegranate products out there these days. The juice is readily available at most grocery stores, there is pomegranate sorbet in health food stores as well as jams and syrups and pomegranate molasses a staple in many middle eastern cuisines as well as a staple in my pantry.

One of the things I love about the pomegranate fruit is that it is only available in the fall, you cannot get them all year round. They never loose their novelty the way strawberries and raspberries have. You have to wait, which is probably why I gorge myself on their delicate seeds for several months of the year. I know I will not get to eat them again for another year.

Pomegranates will be incorporated into my Thanksgiving dinner this year. I am going to make a salad of garden lettuces (just harvested yesterday), poached pears, pomegranate seeds, and spiced walnuts with a pomegranate vinaigrette. Hopefully, it will be a hit.

Last week I received a care package of garlic from a small farm in New Hampshire. The package contained about a dozen heads of beautiful garlic as well as a bottle of vinegar infused with maple and garlic and some dried herbs from the farm.

“Gaaahlic” as Chef Emeril likes to say is a favored ingredient here at Homebase, we always have it on hand.

Garlic is part of the allium family, a close relative of onions, chives and shallots. Garlic has been cultivated world wide for thousands of years and according to what I have read it is difficult to pin point its country of origin, perhaps Siberia or Central Asia.

Historically, garlic has been used both as a seasoning and for medicinal purposes. It seems to me that garlic should be classified with some of the other superfoods. It is a fundamental ingredient in many Asian, Italian, Latin American, and the Middle East. Most commonly only the bulb is used but the flowers and the young greens from garlic are edible as well. Garlic flowers closely resemble chive blossoms and make a beautiful garnish. I like to add them to Leek and Potato Soup or Creamy Garlic Soup. I doubt you will ever see garlic scapes(the young green stem of a hard neck garlic) in your local grocery store but if you are at your local farmer’s market and happen to see them, by all means pick them up. They are tender and delicious and milder than the actual clove. You can use them in a stir fry, omelets and even to make a pesto like sauce. They are elusive though and make only a brief appearance generally in the spring.

Here, I make a quick disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a nutritionist- I am a chef. But it is said that garlic has medicinal properties. It is said that garlic has anti-microbial properties and during the Middle Ages it was used to ward off the plague. Today, it is thought that regular garlic consumption is beneficial to the heart by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic is a good source of vitamin B6, C and selenium and magnesium and has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. If for some reason you cannot stand the taste of garlic but would like to reap its benefits most health food stores sell it in the form of a concentrated capsule in the vitamin section.

Lucky for me, I love garlic. I use it regularly in the kitchen. I planted it in my fall garden with big expectations for garlic scapes and garlic flowers this spring. I am so excited to use the garlic sent in this care package. It is quite beautiful and looks a bit different from the garlic I am accustomed to getting at my local grocery store. Thank you Ms. Grasso from Abbey Farm in New Hampshire for the lovely gift.

We are finally starting to get some cool weather down here in New Orleans and sadly I think it may be time to cut down my basil plants. I planted Italian basil, lemon basil and cinnamon basil this year. I have not had much luck with basil before but this year the plants flourished. Really flourished sort of out of control, the lemon basil is about 5 feet tall, the only thing holding it up is the enormous okra plant. So I think I will go ahead and harvest my basil crop this weekend. Now I have the problem of preserving my crop. Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of pesto but I think that may be the best way to use such large quantities of basil. Perhaps a walnut pesto is in order, it is hearty and slightly more robust in flavor. I am going to substitute toasted walnuts for the pine nuts in the recipe below.

I am also thinking about making a lemon basil syrup to use for Gimlets. Now that I think of it, lemon basil syrup stored in a pretty bottle would probably make a nice hostess gift.

Cinnamon basil works well in desserts. I am planning to poach pears for Thanksgiving and I think I will add a little cinnamon basil to the poaching liquid. Cinnamon basil has both an anise flavor as well as a cinnamon flavor, both of which pair well with poached pears.

Three ways to use basil:

Basil syrup:

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves** lemon, cinnamon or even Thai basil may be used

In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Put it over medium heat and stir to help the sugar dissolve. Once the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is hot, take it off the heat and add the chopped basil. Allow the syrup to cool for 15 minutes, strain it through a fine mesh sieve, and discard the basil. The syrup may be made up to 2 weeks in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.

Freeze it:

The best way to freeze basil is to carefully remove the leaves and then pack them into a ziplock bag. As long as the leaves are not bruised they will not discolor. When you are ready to use your basil, just open the bag, crack off as much as you need and then reseal the bag.

Pesto:

Basil Pesto
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, courtesy Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh basil leaves
2/3 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method:
In a food processor, pulse to chop the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan and garlic. With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and store in an airtight non-reactive container. Press top with plastic wrap to prevent turning brown and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

It seems as though there is a citrus tree in every garden in New Orleans. I have planted a veritable orchard in my garden, everything from satsumas and tangerines to Meyer lemons and Key limes. My trees are still small but still produce a decent harvest. But walking around the city I have noticed some of the older citrus trees are heavy with fruit; laden with enormous grapefruits, satsumas and my favorite of them all Meyer lemons.

Strolling through my neighborhood one recent afternoon there were some kids with a stand set up. Rather than a lemonade stand they were just giving away Meyer lemons to anyone walking by. Of course, I felt obliged to take a few off their hands.

Meyer lemons are a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange and are natives of China, originally grown as ornamentals. I think they are primarily ornamentals in the New Orleans garden as well. They grow vigorously in temperate climates and can become up to twelve feet tall, but can be pruned back to remain a reasonable height in a small garden. The fruit is more round than a true lemon and the flesh has a slight orange tinge. Meyer lemons tend to be more sweet than sour and have a slight orange aroma, they are also packed with juice.

You can substitute Meyer lemons for regular lemons in just about any recipe. To me they have a more pronounced lemon flavor without being as acidic. I have big plans for the Meyer lemon this year. First I plan to make homemade Lemoncello for Christmas gifts for my family and friends. We made Orangecello in the test kitchen this summer and it was so amazingly easy I thought it would be fun to make for the holidays. In a few weeks I am co-hosting a bridal shower and am responsible for dessert so I think my contribution will be Meyer lemon tartlets. Lemon curd is so versatile; you can make tarts, serve it with scones or biscuits for breakfast or use it as a filling for cakes. It holds up well in the refrigerator as well, up to two weeks. I also think I may make lemon ice for Thanksgiving. Yes, I know that sounds odd but after a big meal I personally like to have a light and refreshing dessert.

Hopefully, my little trees will provide me with enough lemons for all of my endeavors but if not I will just stroll around New Orleans looking for trees bulging with fruit and hope the owner is willing to share.

I was recently asked the difference between regular oregano and Mexican oregano, so I decided to do a little investigating. I happen to love oregano, I have several varieties growing in my garden. I often use Mexican oregano but just figured it was a cousin of Mediterranean oregano.

Mediterranean oregano is a commonly used herb in Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine. It grows wildly in the crags and hilly mountain sides throughout southern Europe. It has a strong, bold flavor that borders on bitter. If you have ever tasted the raw herb on its own you know that it is powerful because it can make your tongue feel numb. We are pretty familiar with oregano whether we know it or not. It is an essential herb in pasta and pizza sauces. It pairs perfectly with garlic and is often used in marinades and salad dressings. I like to use it with lemon and olive oil and a little crushed red pepper to make a simple marinade for grilled shrimp. Dried oregano is generally Greek oregano but there is also Turkish oregano and Italian oregano. The Italian variety often includes the flower buds which are slightly sweeter and more mild than the Turkish and Greek varieties. So what is the deal with Mexican oregano. Well as it turns out it is not even the same plant.

Mexican oregano is more closely related to Lemon Verbena. It has a similar flavor to oregano but it is slightly stronger with more spicy notes than sweet notes. It does have a slight citrus note as well. It is a fundamental herb in the Southwestern, Mexican and Central American pantry and is commonly used to flavor pozole, beans, chilies and stews. It pairs well with cumin and coriander. Season enchilada sauce, mole and Texas chilies with this herb to add brightness and flavor.

Mexican oregano can be found in Latin American grocery stores or in the Latin American section of your local market. There are also several reputable sources on line.

www.ranchogordo.com

www.SpiceHouse.com

www.Penzeys.com

How do you follow a pizza crawl? For many, a salad and a triathlon might be appropriate, but for the some Emeril’s and Martha Stewart Living editors, you follow a pizza crawl with a Pizza Cook-Off. Previous cooking contests include a Chili Cook-Off and a Taco Cook-Off–the events are similar to a potluck, except a theme is assigned in the invite, and guests are invited to compete with the dishes they bring. The competition has gotten quite fierce at these parties, with the contestants putting more and more effort and creativity into their dishes.

The Pizza Cook-Off entries:

Mallory Cruz entered a White Clam Pizza, inspired by the Vognole pizza, served at Otto. Mal’s version included a homemade pizza crust topped with a creamy garlic sauce, mozzarella cheese, roasted garlic, and clams sauteed in white wine, garlic, and olive oil.

Read more »

Halloween is huge in New Orleans and why not. This city just loves a good costume party. And of course we can’t have a party without food. There is a big block party in my neighborhood which generally means guests milling in and out all night. So I want to cook something that does not require much last minute work and that will hold well. It might actually be cool here so I would also like something to warm up my guests when they come in from the cold.

I also have a plethora of limes. I have a key lime tree in my yard that is over loaded with limes- I mean hundreds of them. I cannot use them fast enough. Seems to me a big batch of Margaritas or Mojitos are definitely in order as well.

I will probably whip up a batch of jalapeño corn bread too.

This pozole recipe is delicious and you do not have to worry about soaking the hominy. You can check out some of Emeril’s other pozole recipes on our website or on The Food Network. Read more »

Yesterday Chef Chris Wilson was in Jackson, Mississippi for the Viking Classic Golf Tournament. He was among many chefs from all over the South asked to participate in this event. Chef Chris prepared a classic Southern dish “Shrimp and Grits” as such, I thought it would be interesting to find out a little history behind this dish and this is what I discovered.

HISTORY OF SHRIMP AND GRITS

• Shrimp and Grits originated in South Carolina, particularly Charleston
• It is thought the settlers of South Carolina were introduced to a version of grits by the Native Americans.
• This simple dish was eaten by local fisherman for breakfast and was often referred to as “Breakfast Shrimp”
• Shrimp and Grits were traditionally made with river shrimp and old fashioned stone ground grits fresh from the mill flavored simply with just a little bacon fat.
• Most communities in South Carolina had a grist mill where hominy was ground. Grits have become an iconic symbol of Southern food and stone ground grits are a must for this dish.
• In 1985, Craig Claiborne published an article about this dish in the New York Times turning this simple recipe into a Southern icon. Chefs across the South began creating their own upscale versions. Soon Shrimp and Grits began to appear on dinner menus in the South’s most celebrated restaurants.
• Today, rather than flavoring the grits humbly with bacon fat, they are flavored with cream, butter, spices and good shrimp stock and have been embellished with spicy andouille sausage, hot sauces, and green onions. Every chef seems to have their own version. There is even a festival dedicated in its honor celebrating every possible rendition of the now hugely popular dish.

It has been quite a while since my last post. The culinary team has had a crazy year here at Homebase and this is the first real break we have had. So I will give you the low down on what we have been doing. First of all I am happy to say that Emeril’s 20-40-60 book hit the shelves this week. This is such a great book geared to those of us who love food but don’t always have time to spend the whole day in the kitchen. We have also spent this year working on Emeril Green, Chef Emeril’s show on Planet Green. This show ties in closely with Emeril’s third book Farm to Fork. Both of these projects have been close to my heart bringing together my dedication to ecological issues as well as my passion for fresh, local and sustainable cuisine. Farm to Fork will be out next March!

I am looking forward to writing about the farmer’s markets in and around New Orleans as well as my own little garden. As well as providing a little insight as far as what goes on in our test kitchen in New Orleans.

 

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You’ve heard all of the hype of cooking with seasonal and local ingredients. And there are reasons for it: it’s healthier, eco-friendly and it reconnects people with, not only their food and planet, but each other. I like to cook; otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And I only want to offer myself and others the best – needless to say, I’m a believer. Read more »