Chilly Hollow Farm’s Sorel Hemp Pesto
Dine with us
Wednesday… a day so literally in the middle, it was coined “hump day.” Usually, this is the day where we are either in awe of how fast the previous days were completed, or it is the annoying calendar reminder that we still have two more days to go before we can finally clock-out for the weekend.
But days do not need to be dates that we either long or loathe for; days are made into dates if we shift our perception on them. So, once a month, on an unexpecting Wednesday, Neighbors and I shall break bread and enjoy each other’s company. This is the shared experience from that night… the first of many to come.
It is 5:55pm and the sounds of Bebel Gilberto are playing in the background as the smell of chorizo drippings unites with the sudden wafts of wet grass, drying from the recent rainfall. The doorbell rings and there arrive the girls you all know and love, the faces of “Neighbors,” Ally Blaine, Camden Leigh, and Mollie Mclaughlin. After the in-house welcoming committee said their lengthy “hello’s” and gave a full house tour, it was time to open the wine and get into the nibbles. The vegan mezze board was one that left no craving aside as it was crammed with warm pieces of Sammi’s spinach lavash, Majestic sprouted hummus, fatty artichoke hearts, crispy bunches of fresh radishes sprinkled with flakey Maldon salt, and briny jewel-toned olives. Of course, though, a more traditionally meaty spread had to be accompanied for this occasion, as all the “chips were on the table” hoping that the night would be a success.
So, to accompany the enliveningly bright Walsh Family Wine Rose was a wonderful charcuterie board where the richness of the Longstone Farm Fennel Seed Salami was surrounded by a halo of accoutrement. The Georges Mill Farm ramp chevre was fighting with the beautifully briny tin of anchovies, and the Mary’s Gone crackers were surrounded by more of the slippery artichoke heart halves all of which were meant to finished with the craveable crunch of Twin Bears Bakery crusty baguette. It took nothing more than 40 minutes for the gang to down the nosh filled table, which meant it was also time to being preparing for the next wine.
As Molly has just transitioned us to the next phase of this evening with the wonderfully blended Guide Field Wine, running outside to share the next pour with AJ and the gals; I returned to my station with this additionally crisp “encouragement” at hand to finish the Chilly Hollow Farm Sorel Hemp Pesto meant to be served with the previously sizzling Longstone Farm chicken chorizo. The reaction one’s palate has after such a clean combination of flavors, where neither one overpowers the other, is pure pleasure.
Leave it to the two youngest kids in the room, my boys, to remind me that dessert hasn’t been served yet, which is my cue to ring the dinner bell and gather our guests. As everyone makes their way to their seats, I am finishing off the last few touches on the crimini mushroom Bolognese which mingled its way into the Scratch Pasta Co. parpadelle. The union is perfectly Italian, satisfying both the vegans and carnivores this evening. This velvety dish was the perfect complement to a successful conversation amongst new friends, which usually is filled with unsettling silence but tonight one thing quite literally flowed into another. From the food to the conversation to, of course, the wine… which at present we are enjoying what is quickly becoming a new staple in my household, Lightwell Survey’s “The Weird Ones are Wolves.” Lusciously jammy and vibrantly sexy, this wine highlighted the earthiness of the mushrooms as it’s woody afternotes recalled the evening’s earlier rain. This first dinner was inspired by traditional Italian dinners shared by friends and family on Sundays.
I wanted to open my home to new friends and introduce them to our family in the best way I know how, with food. So, it seemed appropriate to end the evening with a final homage to Italian flavors, gelato, olive oil, chocolate, and coffee. Sipping on espresso and satisfying the palate on last time with Van Leeuwen’s vanilla bean ice cream, (which has been drizzled with luscious olive oil and topped with Mast dark chocolate shavings and a touch of Maldon sea salt), we agreed that the night had been a remarkable success.
We hope to continue sharing these recollections of our Wednesday dates with you while also introducing you to recipes, projects, and honest images of this growing friendship. Just as stories are shared with our neighbors in the traditional sense, we shall also be sharing recipes from these dinners in hopes that you will be inspired to bring these flavors to life.
INGREDIENTS (available at neighbors)
1 bag, Sorel
1 bag, Arugula
½ Cup, Hemp Seed
¼ Cup, Nutritional Yeast
The Juice of One Lemon
½ Cup, Olive Oil
¼ Cup, Water
2 Large Cloves of Garlic
1/2 Tbsp. Salt
Add all the ingredients to your mixer, or blender, and pulse until all the ingredients have been properly incorporated. Store in an airtight container for up to seven days. Yields 4-6 servings.
PAIrs nicely WITH
Lightwell, The Weird Ones Are Wolves (Cabernet Franc) 2019
Shenandoah Valley, VA