Ramps
Every Spring, food enthusiasts in New York City go ga-ga over ramps. Never heard of them? Neither had I until this food blog thing got started. Apparently it is a wild leek, and it is very pungent. The other day I picked some up at the farmers market in Union Square, and asked about how to use ramps, and apparently you can use it for compound butters. I just decided to make a risotto.
Risotto seemed like a good idea because it does not involve too many ingredients and is fairly straight forward. I tried this recipe on a Sunday morning and go figure, the liquor and wine store was not open at 9 AM. What is up with that?!? Seriously, let a man make his risotto on a Sunday morning with some booze while other people are in church! What is this? Tennessee? Sheesh. Luckily or unluckily, there was some red wine in the fridge and since the store was so uncooperative, I decided to go with the red as a substitute.
As you can see, the red wine kind of alters the color of the risotto to be a bit darker than if I had used white wine. No biggie, still a delicious breakfast. I also used some mushrooms in the recipe and you could probably do away with that if you want to focus more on the ramp taste.
It seems like foodies talk about ramps non-stop during the Spring, and to be honest, I do not really understand the hype. Maybe if the hype did not cost $3 a bundle, but it does. Apparently ramps easily go for $20 a pound, but that is a lot of ramps. If you buy one bunch of ramps, you could probably make that linked risotto recipe three times.
You can also just sautee the ramps with some olive oil and eat it like that. Maybe I need to eat more or maybe my taste buds are unenlightened, but I just do not see why these things are SUCH a big deal. Interesting? Yes. Worth a try? Definitely? Go crazy over it? Maybe not, or not yet.
I've never heard of ramps until just recently too and I was a little unsure about the hype. I mean, it's not like they are the main players in dishes, you know? But in any case, your risotto looks really elegant. And no booze before 9am?! Don't they know we live in America!
Amanda
May 6, 2008 12:04 pm
I've been reading about ramps also, I never heard of them either until recently. That risotto looks yummy but you had it for breakfast? lols
wonders
May 7, 2008 12:31 pm
Well you are luck you don't live in Indiana. We don't sell alcohol AT ALL on Sundays. Also, that looks yummy :)
Aubrey
May 8, 2008 2:18 pm
Amanda,
Seriously, this is America! Booze at 7am! With my cocoa puffs! Yea I had never tasted ramps until this spring and I am still unsure they are worth the price...
Wonders,
It is actually really good for breakfast! It is like a flavorful congee! and more filling!
Aubrey,
Oh man, I do not think that living in Indiana is ever a choice then! ;)
Danny
May 11, 2008 8:19 pm