Fresh Tomato and Caramelized Onion Jam

Ingredients

serves Makes about 1 cup, active time 30 minutes, total time 2 hours

• 3/4 pounds yellow onions (about 2 medium), finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 pounds roma tomatoes (about 6 medium), peeled, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons juice from 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Procedures

1. Melt butter in a large heavy-bottomed stainless steel or enameled cast iron saucepan over high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until bottom of saucepan is glazed in a pale brown fond, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons water and scrape up fond with wooden spoon. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until fond has built up again, about 2 minutes longer. Add 2 more tablespoons water and scrape up browned bits. Repeat cooking, adding water, and scraping until onions are completely softened and a deep, dark brown, about 15 minutes total.
   
2. Add tomatoes, white sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes in with the onions; stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have broken down and jam has thickened and developed a jammy consistency, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from heat. Transfer jam to a an airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to two weeks, or ladle into sterilized jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal for self storage.

Pork Chops with Fresh Peaches and Basil

Ingredients

serves Serves 2, active time 20 minutes, total time 20 minutes

• 2 bone-in rib or center-cut chops (4 to 6 ounces each)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 peaches, pits removed, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 teaspoons zest and 2 tablespoons fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of dried red chili flakes
• 2 cups fresh raw baby spinach
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter

Procedures

1. Season the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until lightly smoking. Add the pork chops and cook until first side is nicely browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the internal temperature registers 145°F on an instant read thermometer, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Do not wipe out skillet.
   
2. Lower heat to medium low and add the peaches, lemon zest, sugar, salt, and dried chili flakes. Stir gently until the peaches begin to soften but don’t lose their shape, 2 to 3 minutes.
   
3. Divide the spinach between two plates and put the pork chops on top. Pour any juices from the plate back into the skillet and add butter and lemon juice. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and swirling pan until butter is melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in half of basil. Divide the peaches between the two plates and then pour the pan juices on top and sprinkle with remaining basil. Serve immediately.

Oatmeal and Fresh Berry Parfaits with Chantilly Cream

Ingredients

serves Serves 6, active time 35 minutes, total time 2 1/2 hours

• 6 cups fresh blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries, or a combination
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons fruit liqueur such as pear brandy, elderflower liqueur, or orange-flavored liqueur
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal, preferably steel-cut
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup loosely packed light or dark brown sugar
•  
• Chantilly Cream
• 1 quart heavy (whipping) cream
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedures

1. About 2 hours before assembling the parfaits for serving, if using strawberries, stem them and cut into pieces about the same size as the other berries. Put all the berries in a medium glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel bowl. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and liqueur and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the sweetened liqueur to the berries and stir gently with a rubber spatula until the berries are well coated with the syrup, being careful not to break up the berries. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve, stirring very gently about every 45 minutes with the spatula.
   
2. Meanwhile, cook the oatmeal according to the package directions. Then cover and set aside at room temperature until ready to serve.
   
3. Just before assembling the parfaits, gently rewarm the oatmeal over low heat; thin with a little water, if needed. (It shouldn’t be too hot, or it will melt the Chantilly cream.) Add the butter and brown sugar and stir to mix well. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
   
4. Also just before assembling, make the cream: In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, sour cream, liqueur, and vanilla. Whisking by hand or using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat the mixture just until soft peaks form, 5 to 10 minutes if beating by hand or about 3 minutes if using an electric mixer.
   
5. To assemble the parfaits, layer in each glass 2 tablespoons oatmeal, then 2 tablespoons drained berries, then 2 tablespoons Chantilly cream, then another 2 tablespoons oatmeal. Top with more berries, dividing them evenly, and end with 1 tablespoon Chantilly cream on top of parfait with a few more berries for garnish. Serve at once, with long-handled spoons.