What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Table Food: Unforgettable Wild Ramp Bacon Chowder! For American hunter-gatherers, as well as European foragers of gourmet plants, wild ramps are as coveted as the elusive morel mushrooms. Since the leafy garlic bulbs are popular with curiosity seekers, in addition to critters of the woods, the quest for a fragrant “bouquet” becomes a challenge between man and beast. Who will get there first to reap the wild-growing delicacy? Perhaps both have their secret stomping grounds. I invite you to stick around awhile to sample the wide variety of ways to enjoy wild ramps.
UNFORGETTABLE WILD RAMP BACON CHOWDER
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon bacon drippings
1/2 cup ramps roughly chopped, bulbs and greens
1 potato, skin on and diced
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning
1 1/4 cups coconut milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Crumbled bacon, for garnish
Charred ramp greens, for garnish
Instructions:
In a Dutch oven, over medium heat, sauté ramps in bacon drippings until soft. Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, seasoned salt, and garlic and herb seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked thoroughly. Reduce heat to low. Add coconut milk, cheddar cheese, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, but do not boil. Gently heat for 30 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes to thicken. Ladle into soup bowls; garnish with crumbled bacon and charred ramp greens.
I have to say, I’ve never heard of ramps. Thank you for expanding my horizons.
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I’ve only known about them for a couple years now. 🍁🍂🌾
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Yep, unforgettable pretty much sums it up.
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When they are in season, one little bunch goes a long way. 🍁🍂🌾
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I think these sound very like what we call ‘Ramsons’ 😋
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Interesting. 🤔🍂
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I didn’t r4ad it right, I couldn’t work out why it was wild romp bacon, duh.
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Hahaha. 🤣
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The time for soups is defnitely coming again. I like this one!
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We’ve had a drop in temperatures, that’s for sure. 🍁🍂🌾
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The color of the sunlight has changed already and once the sun has set it is getting cool quickly.
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Unfortunately, this soup will have to wait as they are available only in the spring. I guess any old leek would do for now 🙂
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Believe it or not, you can freeze them by blanching them first, then coarsely chop, and arrange in a single layer before storing in a freezer bag. 🍁🍂🌾
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I know as you can freeze just about anything, but I will still have to wait until Spring 🙂
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Just when I think I’ve seen it all, you . . . wait for it . . . ramp things up. I never heard of these little buggers, but they’re piquing my interest now.
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Ohmygosh. You must try them. I tasted them last year for the first time and I’m sold! It’s a good thing my son is a “forager”. Ramps can be quite expensive. 🌿🍃🌾
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Mmmm, they sound fantastique.
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This chowder sounds divine. I will try freezing ramps next spring💚
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Actually, you may want to make the chowder in the Spring as well. I did. 😜🍂
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Definitely 😊
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