Lemon Chive Creme Fraiche Food

CREAMY CHIVE PASTA WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• In the same pot, make the sauce: Stir together the crème fraîche, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the pasta, return to medium heat, and cook, tossing vigorously, until the noodles are well coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more pasta water as needed to gloss the noodles.
• Add the chives and stir until evenly distributed and slightly wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more grated Parmesan and black pepper on top.

HOMEMADE CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the cream and buttermilk or lemon juice.
• Cover with a clean kitchen cloth in a warm, draft free place and let sit until thickened, but still pourable consistency, 12 to 16 hours.
• Stir and refrigerate until ready to use.
• (can be refrigerated up to 1 week.).

CHIVE CREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer - or in a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer - whip the crème fraîche until light and airy. Stir in the buttermilk, garlic, chives, lemon zest and juice. Season with one-fourth teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper, or to taste.
• Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
• This will keep, refrigerated, for one day.

CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Mix 3 parts fresh heavy cream to 1 part fresh buttermilk in a clean jar or crock. Cover with cloth. Store in a warm area for 24 hours. Stir. Mixture should be thick and creamy. Refrigerate

ROASTED BABY POTATOES WITH EGGPLANT CAVIAR AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set a cooling rack into a baking sheet.
• Halve the eggplant lengthwise and score the flesh by making three long cuts down the middle and sides, making sure not to pierce the skin. Salt the eggplant and then place it
• cut-side down on the prepared cooling rack for 30 minutes to release moisture.
• Turn the eggplant over and remove the cooling rack. Using paper towels, dry the eggplant and the baking sheet of any moisture. Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes and place back on the baking sheet. Scatter the garlic cloves among the eggplant. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with the smoked paprika and some salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast until the eggplant is completely soft and browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool.
• Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet. Toss the potatoes in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Place the potatoes cut-side down on the oiled baking sheet and roast until tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Scrape the cooled eggplant into the bowl of a food processor and squeeze the roasted garlic out of its peels into the food processor. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, mint and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and puree until smooth. Add the shallot and tomato and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• To serve, scoop out a cavity in each potato half with a paring knife or small spoon. Fill with the "eggplant caviar" and top with a dollop of creme fraiche and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds.

CAVIAR WITH HOUSE-MADE POTATO CHIPS AND LEMON CRèME FRAICHE

Steps:

• For the chips: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or a deep fryer to 350 degrees F and, working in 2 batches, add the potato slices. Turn with a slotted spoon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season with kosher salt and chopped dill. Repeat with remaining potato slices.
• For the lemon creme fraiche: Mix together the creme fraiche, chives, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large bowl. Serve with the potato chips and caviar for dipping.

CREAMY LEMON-CHIVE DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small jar, combine lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and shake until salt is dissolved. Add cream and chives; shake to blend. Season with salt. Store, covered and refrigerated, up to 1 week. Shake to blend before using.

CREAMY CHIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a pan and soften the onion, garlic and chives with the pan covered for 5 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and reduce by half on a high heat.
• Add the stock and reduce by half again.
• Turn the heat right down and stir in the cream.
• Simmer gently until reduced to a light, creamy consistency.
• Season to taste and serve hot.

SUMMER BERRIES WITH LEMON CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Place creme fraiche in a medium-size non-reactive bowl. Add sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and whisk well to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until very cold, 1 hour or longer. (Lemon Creme Fraiche can be prepared 2 days ahead; keep covered and refrigerated.).
• Rinse berries and gently pat dry. If using strawberries, rinse first then hull and halve (or quarter, if large) lengthwise. Place berries in a large bowl and gently toss to combine.
• Divide berries among four wide-mouthed wine glasses, martini glasses or dessert bowls. Drizzle each serving with about 1/4 cup of Lemon Creme.