Ramps Braised In Olive Oil Recipes

RAMPS BRAISED IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Place olive oil in a large, shallow pan with a tight-fitting lid over high heat. When oil is warm, roll a bunch of ramps in paper towels to remove excess moisture, and unwrap. Reduce heat to medium, and add ramps to pan. Toss to coat each leaf with oil. Working quickly, dry second bunch and add to oil, tossing until ramps wilt. Continue with remaining ramps, adding more oil if necessary.
• When all ramps are wilted, season to taste and reduce heat to low, then stir and cover pot. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the ramps, stirring frequently to avoid burning. When ramps are very, very tender, remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Season again if desired, and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH RAMPS AND FAVAS

Steps:

• In a very large pot, bring 5 quarts water and 3 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directions. Occasionally give the pasta a stir so it doesn't stick together. Scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
• Meanwhile, put a large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil and sausage and cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the fava beans and ramps, season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta and reserved pasta water to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, stirring to blend. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan. Top with a good drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper.

RAMPS FRITTERS

Steps:

• First create the base of the batter by combining the flour, egg yolks, beer, olive oil and salt in a bowl and whisk just enough to blend everything together smoothly.
• Let rest for at least an hour, to allow the gluten to break down a little.
• In a colander, thoroughly squeeze the moisture out of the grated zucchini with your hands.
• Place in a bowl.
• Mince stems of the ramps, chop a fine chiffonade of the leaves, and add to the bowl.
• Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Let this rest as well while the batter sits.
• Beat the egg whites until the peaks hold, and fold them into the batter.
• Gently stir the vegetables into the batter.
• Heat up some olive oil (or a mixture or olive oil and vegetable/canola oil) in a large cast iron pan on medium-high heat, enough to well-coat the surface of the pan.
• When a drop of water jumps and sizzles in the pan, you are ready.
• With a spoon, place spoonfuls of batter around the pan, being careful not to overcrowd or let fritters touch each other.
• Cook until golden brown on both sides, then remove to a drying rack or a warm plate with paper towel.
• Serve with some fresh lemon juice and taste for salt and pepper.

HONEY-VINEGAR PRESERVED RAMPS

Steps:

• Clean and trim ramps. Place the ramps in a 12-inch skillet. Add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and toss with tongs to fully coat. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ramps until the stems and leaves are gently wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and toss to combine. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, inspect two 8-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until ramps are ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Using the tongs, transfer to the two sterile glass jars with sealable lids. Tuck the leaves and stems into the jars with a table knife or spoon. Divide the remaining olive oil between the jars, followed by peppercorns and salt. Set aside.
• Place vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Whisk well. Simmer over medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour over the ramps to cover. Let cool to room temperature. Seal and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

GRILLED RAMPS

Steps:

• Wash the ramps under running water, pull off any translucent outer skins that are clinging to the root end. Then trim the roots off.
• Toss the ramps in olive oil to coat along with salt and pepper. Put them on a hot, well oiled grill with the higher heat hitting the stems, lower heat on the leaves (what configuration this ends up being depends on your grill design).
• Grill ramps for about 2 minutes a side. The greens can be somewhat charred and the root end should have nice grill marks.
• If you don't have access to a grill, you can also use an oiled cast-iron grill pan or skillet on a kitchen stove. Just turn your stove's heat up to high and make sure the pan is very hot before adding the ramps.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH OLIVE OIL AND RICE

Steps:

• Trim the hard green parts from the leeks; split in half from about an inch below the root end (leave this intact for now) to the leafy end. Carefully wash between all the layers, removing all traces of sand. Cut off the root end and cut the leeks into 4-inch sections.
• Put all but a tablespoon of the oil in a skillet with a lid or a saucepan large enough to hold the leeks in one layer. Turn the heat to medium. When the oil is hot, add the leeks and carrots, along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, and cook for about 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the leeks are tender. Your goal is not to brown the leeks but to soften them; if they brown a little, however, that's fine.
• Add the rice and 1 1/2 cups of water, cover, and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the water is absorbed; the mixture should be moist but not soupy. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold (this will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for a day, and can be reheated). Just before serving, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice.
• Braised Leeks with Olives
• In step 2, omit the carrots. In step 3, omit the rice and add 1/2 cup pitted black olives, like Kalamatas. Use only 1/2 cup liquid and cook for only 5 to 10 minutes, until hot. Add the lemon juice at the end.
• Braised Leeks with Egg-Lemon Sauce
• You can use this formula with almost any braised vegetable: When the leeks are done, beat 2 eggs in a bowl with the minced or grated zest and juice of a lemon; still beating, add about 1/2 cup of the leek-cooking liquid. Gradually add the remaining cooking liquid, beating all the while. Dress the leeks with this sauce and serve.