1 00:00:01,266 --> 00:00:03,166 [Molly Yeh] I'm making a big old Midwestern tractor lunch 2 00:00:03,166 --> 00:00:05,266 for my favorite fella and myself. 3 00:00:05,266 --> 00:00:07,367 Just the farmer I was looking for. 4 00:00:07,367 --> 00:00:10,100 With my jazzy ranch and bacon grain bowls. 5 00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:11,600 It looks so good! 6 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:14,100 Super fun savory monkey bread with 7 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:15,500 creamy veggie dip for dunking. 8 00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:16,600 Yeah! 9 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:18,467 Crispy deep fried pickle chips. 10 00:00:18,467 --> 00:00:19,500 Yum! 11 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:22,533 And for something sweet, the most beautiful giant 12 00:00:22,533 --> 00:00:25,100 almond butter blossoms there ever were. 13 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:27,266 I'd be a farmer if I could eat like this every day. 14 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:33,600 Look at these beauties! 15 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:37,734 Hey, this is me, Molly Yeh This is my husband Nick. 16 00:00:37,734 --> 00:00:39,266 This is our growing family. 17 00:00:39,266 --> 00:00:42,367 And this is our farm on the North Dakota Minnesota border. 18 00:00:42,367 --> 00:00:45,233 The place where I eat, sleep, and breathe food. 19 00:00:51,500 --> 00:00:53,967 It's planting season on the farm, so I thought 20 00:00:53,967 --> 00:00:56,734 I'd whip up a delicious lunch for Nick and me to enjoy 21 00:00:56,734 --> 00:01:00,000 between him playing in the dirt and me dirtying up 22 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:00,100 between him playing in the dirt and me dirtying up 23 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:01,166 some dishes. 24 00:01:01,166 --> 00:01:04,967 For dessert, I am making my giant almond butter blossoms, 25 00:01:04,967 --> 00:01:08,533 which are so satisfyingly chewy 26 00:01:08,533 --> 00:01:12,000 and dense, and they've got a whole honkin' chocolate bar 27 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,166 in the center. 28 00:01:13,166 --> 00:01:15,367 To start on my dough, I'll combine my dry ingredients. 29 00:01:15,367 --> 00:01:18,600 I'll get three and a half cups of all-purpose flour. 30 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,967 This is a big batch of big cookies, 31 00:01:20,967 --> 00:01:23,700 but Nick needs the energy for planting. 32 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:25,467 And with all the almond butter in the cookies, 33 00:01:25,467 --> 00:01:27,000 you know, they're basically a protein bar. 34 00:01:28,967 --> 00:01:30,000 Two teaspoons of baking soda, which will react with 35 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,734 Two teaspoons of baking soda, which will react with 36 00:01:31,734 --> 00:01:34,967 the acidity in the brown sugar and just help make 37 00:01:34,967 --> 00:01:38,166 these cookies really chewy and kind of crackly. 38 00:01:38,166 --> 00:01:40,100 Two teaspoons of cinnamon, which complement 39 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:42,000 the almond butter really nicely. 40 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:44,066 And one and a half teaspoons of kosher salt. 41 00:01:45,166 --> 00:01:46,367 Now I'll get this combined. 42 00:01:46,367 --> 00:01:49,266 So these are giant versions of the peanut butter blossoms 43 00:01:49,266 --> 00:01:52,166 that my mother-in-law makes with Bernie every year 44 00:01:52,166 --> 00:01:53,367 around the holidays. 45 00:01:53,367 --> 00:01:55,600 And typically they have those teardrop-shaped chocolates 46 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,600 in the center, but I'm making them big 47 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,000 because I wanted more of the chewy center. 48 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,166 because I wanted more of the chewy center. 49 00:02:01,166 --> 00:02:03,100 And also when you use the chocolate bars versus 50 00:02:03,100 --> 00:02:05,700 the teardrop chocolates, I feel like you can get 51 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:08,734 a better ratio of chocolate to cookie in every bite. 52 00:02:09,266 --> 00:02:10,600 I love them so much. 53 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:13,066 For the wet ingredients, I'll combine one cup 54 00:02:13,066 --> 00:02:17,634 of softened unsalted butter, one cup of almond butter. 55 00:02:17,634 --> 00:02:19,600 And this is unsweetened almond butter, 56 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,266 so I can more control the level of the sweetness. 57 00:02:22,266 --> 00:02:24,467 I'm adding a lot of sugar already. 58 00:02:24,467 --> 00:02:26,867 And then one cup each of granulated sugar 59 00:02:26,867 --> 00:02:29,467 and light brown sugar, so that you get a little bit 60 00:02:29,467 --> 00:02:30,000 of that darker molasses-y flavor with the light brown sugar, 61 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,266 of that darker molasses-y flavor with the light brown sugar, 62 00:02:32,266 --> 00:02:35,000 but it's not overpowering the almond flavor. 63 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,967 I'll get this onto my mixer, and then I'll mix this up 64 00:02:37,967 --> 00:02:39,700 until it's combined and creamy, 65 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:42,734 but I'm not going to aerate it too much, because in the end 66 00:02:42,734 --> 00:02:45,100 I want this cookie to be extra dense. 67 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,467 Now that it's combined, I'll add two eggs, one at a time. 68 00:02:53,867 --> 00:02:54,900 Oops. 69 00:02:55,266 --> 00:02:56,867 I added them both. 70 00:02:56,867 --> 00:02:58,433 They're still going to be delicious. 71 00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:00,000 And then two teaspoons of vanilla extract. 72 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,000 And then two teaspoons of vanilla extract. 73 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,266 I'll reduce the mixer to low, and then dump in 74 00:03:05,266 --> 00:03:07,000 the dry ingredients. 75 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:10,000 And I'll add them in all at once, so that I don't risk 76 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,266 over-mixing some of the dry ingredients 77 00:03:12,266 --> 00:03:16,333 and developing gluten, and then getting not a great texture in the end. 78 00:03:21,367 --> 00:03:25,000 Oh, this smells delicious. I'm smelling that cinnamon. 79 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,467 Before kids, I was a little bit more loosey-goosey 80 00:03:27,467 --> 00:03:30,000 about eating raw eggs and raw flour, 81 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:30,166 about eating raw eggs and raw flour, 82 00:03:30,166 --> 00:03:33,533 and this is the type of dough I could just go to town on. 83 00:03:33,533 --> 00:03:36,266 These days I'm quite a bit more neurotic. 84 00:03:36,266 --> 00:03:38,700 The dough is done. I'll set up my shaping station. 85 00:03:38,700 --> 00:03:41,266 I've got my baking sheets, which are lined with parchment, 86 00:03:41,266 --> 00:03:43,066 and I've got a plate of sugar, 87 00:03:43,066 --> 00:03:45,266 because I'll roll the cookie dough in the sugar, 88 00:03:45,266 --> 00:03:47,500 which will help add more sweetness 89 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:49,367 and a little crunch on the exterior. 90 00:03:49,367 --> 00:03:52,500 I've got a quarter-cup capacity ice cream scoop, 91 00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:56,467 which is going to give you big honking cookies. 92 00:03:56,467 --> 00:03:59,867 And I'll roll it into a ball, and then roll it into the sugar, 93 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:00,000 place it on the baking sheet. 94 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,367 place it on the baking sheet. 95 00:04:01,533 --> 00:04:03,100 Adorable. 96 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:05,367 I'll keep on scooping and rolling, and then bake 97 00:04:05,367 --> 00:04:07,734 these at 375 for about 12 minutes, 98 00:04:07,734 --> 00:04:10,734 until they're golden around the edges, and then it'll be time 99 00:04:10,734 --> 00:04:12,433 to give them their chocolate bellies. 100 00:04:27,634 --> 00:04:29,900 I'm smelling that cinnamon. 101 00:04:33,734 --> 00:04:35,367 They look awesome already. 102 00:04:35,367 --> 00:04:39,367 While they're still hot and soft, I've got my chocolate bars here 103 00:04:39,367 --> 00:04:41,500 that I'll press right down on top. 104 00:04:41,500 --> 00:04:44,100 And I'll give them a firm press, so that the edges 105 00:04:44,100 --> 00:04:47,166 can crackle all around them, just like that. 106 00:04:47,166 --> 00:04:51,166 And I'm using classic grocery store waxy milk chocolate here, 107 00:04:51,166 --> 00:04:53,266 because it just tastes nostalgic to me, 108 00:04:53,266 --> 00:04:55,734 and I do love the creamy texture. 109 00:04:55,734 --> 00:04:57,900 These are looking gorgeous already. 110 00:04:59,166 --> 00:05:00,000 These will go back into the oven now, 111 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,600 These will go back into the oven now, 112 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,600 for about two minutes, so that the chocolate can melt slightly 113 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:06,634 and meld with the cookie. 114 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:08,066 I can't wait. 115 00:05:08,066 --> 00:05:10,266 This is the hardest part, because now I have seen 116 00:05:10,266 --> 00:05:11,867 the cookies, I've smelled them, 117 00:05:11,867 --> 00:05:13,800 I've got to wait another couple of minutes. 118 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:21,800 Whew, that was a rough two minutes, but I made it. 119 00:05:25,266 --> 00:05:26,867 Now we're talking. 120 00:05:26,867 --> 00:05:28,700 All right, while the chocolate is still melty, 121 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:30,000 I'll sprinkle them with toasted almonds, 122 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,066 I'll sprinkle them with toasted almonds, 123 00:05:31,066 --> 00:05:33,900 because it's pretty, it tastes good with that added crunch. 124 00:05:35,867 --> 00:05:37,166 It's time. 125 00:05:44,467 --> 00:05:45,734 Mm-hmm. 126 00:05:45,734 --> 00:05:49,533 Mm-hmm. It's nutty. It's chewy. 127 00:05:49,533 --> 00:05:52,900 It's sweet. It's a gigantic cookie with gigantic flavor. 128 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,367 Coming up, food is getting fun. 129 00:05:59,367 --> 00:06:00,000 One of my favorite Kirby concoctions 130 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,734 One of my favorite Kirby concoctions 131 00:06:01,734 --> 00:06:04,100 has everyone eating with their hands. 132 00:06:19,734 --> 00:06:22,100 For a fun, snacky side to our tractor lunch, 133 00:06:22,100 --> 00:06:24,100 I am making savory monkey bread, 134 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:28,100 which is a pile of hot, fluffy dough balls that have been dunked 135 00:06:28,100 --> 00:06:31,100 in butter and rolled in colorful herbs 136 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:33,100 and seasonings, and then I'm serving it 137 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:35,867 with a tangy dipping sauce that's got a rainbow 138 00:06:35,867 --> 00:06:37,100 of confettied veggies. 139 00:06:37,100 --> 00:06:38,634 So to start, I've got just my basic go-to bread roll recipe 140 00:06:38,634 --> 00:06:41,367 So to start, I've got just my basic go-to bread roll recipe 141 00:06:41,367 --> 00:06:44,533 that I'm shaping into 40 little balls. 142 00:06:44,533 --> 00:06:46,467 But if you want to use just store-bought bread dough, 143 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:47,367 that's okay, too. 144 00:06:47,367 --> 00:06:49,367 That's what my mom would use growing up. 145 00:06:49,367 --> 00:06:52,734 And she did the classic caramelly sweet version 146 00:06:52,734 --> 00:06:53,967 of monkey bread. 147 00:06:53,967 --> 00:06:56,166 I don't know if it was big in the '90s or if she just made it 148 00:06:56,166 --> 00:07:00,166 a lot in the '90s, but I associate my childhood 149 00:07:00,166 --> 00:07:03,000 with eating a lot of monkey bread. 150 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:06,533 And I'm doing a savory version because I love savory foods. 151 00:07:07,734 --> 00:07:08,634 I'm stretching the surface so that it's smooth and taut, 152 00:07:08,634 --> 00:07:11,533 I'm stretching the surface so that it's smooth and taut, 153 00:07:11,533 --> 00:07:13,600 and then pinching the ends under, 154 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:14,900 and then rolling them. 155 00:07:14,900 --> 00:07:17,734 You want evenly shaped balls so that they rise evenly 156 00:07:17,734 --> 00:07:19,734 and bake evenly, just like that. 157 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,533 Ta-da! 158 00:07:22,166 --> 00:07:24,533 Okay, all of the balls are rolled. 159 00:07:24,533 --> 00:07:27,600 Now comes the fun part, is the assembly. 160 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,266 I've got six tablespoons of melted butter here, 161 00:07:30,266 --> 00:07:33,734 and this will be the glue that holds on all of the toppings. 162 00:07:34,867 --> 00:07:37,166 In this first bowl, I've got finely chopped parsley 163 00:07:37,166 --> 00:07:38,367 and chives. 164 00:07:38,367 --> 00:07:38,634 In my second bowl, I'll add some dried minced garlic 165 00:07:38,634 --> 00:07:41,634 In my second bowl, I'll add some dried minced garlic 166 00:07:42,367 --> 00:07:44,333 with smoked paprika. 167 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:48,634 Sesame seeds. 168 00:07:48,634 --> 00:07:50,800 This reminds me of a sesame bagel. 169 00:07:51,100 --> 00:07:52,367 Poppy seeds. 170 00:07:52,367 --> 00:07:54,600 I'm loving this color palette already. 171 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,533 And lastly, some finely grated Parmesan. 172 00:07:57,533 --> 00:08:01,734 Okay, to build my monkey bread, I'll roll a ball of dough 173 00:08:01,734 --> 00:08:04,800 all over in butter, get it fully coated, 174 00:08:05,367 --> 00:08:06,867 and then dunk it in a topping. 175 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:08,634 I'll roll it around. It's just like putting glitter on glue. 176 00:08:08,634 --> 00:08:11,533 I'll roll it around. It's just like putting glitter on glue. 177 00:08:11,533 --> 00:08:13,533 I love the way it sticks so nicely. 178 00:08:13,867 --> 00:08:14,967 Like that. 179 00:08:14,967 --> 00:08:18,100 And I'll pop it into the Bundt pan that's been greased, 180 00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:21,100 and I'll rotate the toppings as I go so that once it goes 181 00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:22,367 into the Bundt pan, 182 00:08:22,367 --> 00:08:25,000 there's a pretty distribution of the different toppings. 183 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000 Next, I'll do garlic. 184 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,266 Apparently, it's called monkey bread because 185 00:08:30,266 --> 00:08:34,533 the method in which it is eaten, we pick off the chunks, 186 00:08:34,533 --> 00:08:37,900 kind of mimics the way monkeys clean each other. 187 00:08:37,900 --> 00:08:38,634 Yum. 188 00:08:38,634 --> 00:08:39,333 Yum. 189 00:08:40,367 --> 00:08:42,100 Sounds so appetizing. 190 00:08:42,100 --> 00:08:44,100 We should name a food after it. 191 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:47,900 Okay, I will keep on dunking, and once all the balls 192 00:08:47,900 --> 00:08:50,266 are into the Bundt pan, I'll cover it up 193 00:08:50,266 --> 00:08:52,600 and allow it to proof for another 30 minutes 194 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:53,634 until it's puffy. 195 00:09:00,867 --> 00:09:02,467 They're so poofy poofy. 196 00:09:02,467 --> 00:09:05,867 Okay, I'll bake this now at 350 degrees for about 197 00:09:05,867 --> 00:09:08,533 35 minutes until it's golden, and in that time, 198 00:09:08,533 --> 00:09:08,634 I'll make my creamy veggie dip. 199 00:09:08,634 --> 00:09:10,066 I'll make my creamy veggie dip. 200 00:09:15,367 --> 00:09:18,467 This dip is tangy, and it's got great freshness 201 00:09:18,467 --> 00:09:19,700 from veggies. 202 00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:22,867 It's basically a junior high school party chip dip, 203 00:09:22,867 --> 00:09:24,867 but less from a packet. 204 00:09:24,867 --> 00:09:27,533 So I've got my veggies here, a red bell pepper, carrot, 205 00:09:27,533 --> 00:09:29,734 celery, and scallion, and I'm giving them 206 00:09:29,734 --> 00:09:33,166 a rough chop before tossing them into my food processor. 207 00:09:33,166 --> 00:09:36,900 Spring planting happens at a time when all of the snow 208 00:09:36,900 --> 00:09:38,634 has just melted, so the ground can be really wet 209 00:09:38,634 --> 00:09:41,634 has just melted, so the ground can be really wet 210 00:09:41,634 --> 00:09:44,867 and just sloppy. 211 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:48,634 So Nick tends to come in around this time of year, 212 00:09:48,634 --> 00:09:50,467 just cake with mud, it's fine. 213 00:09:50,467 --> 00:09:53,634 As long as he rinses off his hands before eating the monkey bread. 214 00:09:54,867 --> 00:09:57,266 I wonder how much dirt a farmer actually eats 215 00:09:57,266 --> 00:09:58,734 in their lifetime. 216 00:09:58,734 --> 00:10:00,900 It's how their immune systems are so high. 217 00:10:03,467 --> 00:10:05,066 A little bit of parsley, 218 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:08,634 and then I'll pulse this to break it up into little pieces. 219 00:10:08,634 --> 00:10:09,533 and then I'll pulse this to break it up into little pieces. 220 00:10:13,867 --> 00:10:14,967 That looks good. 221 00:10:14,967 --> 00:10:18,467 For the creaminess, I've got some softened cream cheese 222 00:10:18,467 --> 00:10:21,333 and half a cup of sour cream to make it dippable. 223 00:10:21,900 --> 00:10:23,166 A little garlic powder. 224 00:10:23,166 --> 00:10:25,367 I like using this because sometimes I don't always want 225 00:10:25,367 --> 00:10:27,867 to eat just chunks of raw garlic. 226 00:10:27,867 --> 00:10:29,166 And salt and pepper. 227 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:34,433 The juice of half a lemon. 228 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,634 And now I'll bring it together so that it's dippable. 229 00:10:38,634 --> 00:10:39,867 And now I'll bring it together so that it's dippable. 230 00:10:42,700 --> 00:10:43,734 That's it. 231 00:10:43,734 --> 00:10:45,900 I don't want to over blend and process the veggies 232 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:47,066 into purees. 233 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:49,166 Looks like a party to me. 234 00:10:55,166 --> 00:10:56,634 All right, now to taste test, 235 00:10:56,634 --> 00:10:58,467 I need something to dunk in it. 236 00:10:58,467 --> 00:11:00,100 I think it's monkey bread time. 237 00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:03,900 It looks so good, and it smells so good. 238 00:11:03,900 --> 00:11:06,266 I don't know if it looks better or smells better. 239 00:11:06,266 --> 00:11:07,367 Doesn't matter. 240 00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:08,467 I'm going to go for it. 241 00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:08,634 I'll invert it onto a plate for serving. 242 00:11:08,634 --> 00:11:11,367 I'll invert it onto a plate for serving. 243 00:11:11,367 --> 00:11:14,266 This is always the scariest part about Bundt cakes, 244 00:11:14,266 --> 00:11:16,734 is getting it out of the pan. But luckily, 245 00:11:16,734 --> 00:11:19,634 monkey bread is much more forgiving than a cake. 246 00:11:21,467 --> 00:11:22,800 Did you hear the plop? 247 00:11:26,367 --> 00:11:28,166 [gasps] Yay! 248 00:11:28,166 --> 00:11:30,266 I'm so excited about this. 249 00:11:30,266 --> 00:11:32,000 Oh, I love you so much. 250 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,734 I don't even want to disrupt it by eating it, 251 00:11:34,734 --> 00:11:37,433 but I truly cannot not. 252 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:38,634 Balls to the rescue. 253 00:11:38,634 --> 00:11:40,166 Balls to the rescue. 254 00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:42,166 Here I go. 255 00:11:45,867 --> 00:11:47,166 Oh, yeah. 256 00:11:47,166 --> 00:11:50,467 It's buttery. It's fluffy. It's so flavorful. 257 00:11:50,467 --> 00:11:52,433 This is better than a barrel of monkeys. 258 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,000 Next, bacon and ranch. 259 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,266 Need I say more? 260 00:12:00,266 --> 00:12:01,867 My quick and easy lunch bowls 261 00:12:01,867 --> 00:12:03,734 fill you up and make you smile. 262 00:12:03,900 --> 00:12:05,066 Score. 263 00:12:15,533 --> 00:12:17,734 I love a good bowl. 264 00:12:17,734 --> 00:12:19,867 Noodle bowls, rice bowls. 265 00:12:19,867 --> 00:12:23,266 Today I'm making a bowl that is particularly Midwest inspired, 266 00:12:23,266 --> 00:12:25,266 my bacon and ranch grain bowls. 267 00:12:25,266 --> 00:12:27,467 They're hearty and bright all at the same time, 268 00:12:27,467 --> 00:12:29,533 and they are sure to fill anybody up 269 00:12:29,533 --> 00:12:30,533 for a hard day's work. 270 00:12:30,533 --> 00:12:33,100 To get started, I'm crisping up my bacon. 271 00:12:33,100 --> 00:12:36,734 I started it in a cold skillet, which helps render the fat 272 00:12:36,734 --> 00:12:38,166 and get it extra crispy. 273 00:12:38,166 --> 00:12:38,260 While this crisps up on the other side, I'll drain my barley. 274 00:12:38,260 --> 00:12:41,467 While this crisps up on the other side, I'll drain my barley. 275 00:12:41,467 --> 00:12:45,634 This is a chewy, hearty grain. It's so filling. I love it. 276 00:12:45,634 --> 00:12:48,467 And you cook it just like pasta, just in salted water 277 00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:49,867 until it's al dente. 278 00:12:49,867 --> 00:12:53,367 You can really use any grain with this bowl. 279 00:12:53,367 --> 00:12:56,800 I'll give this some extra love with the zest of a lemon. 280 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:58,967 It's always nice when you're making a grain bowl 281 00:12:58,967 --> 00:13:01,967 to pay attention to the grains and make sure that 282 00:13:01,967 --> 00:13:03,634 they're seasoned nicely. 283 00:13:04,634 --> 00:13:06,433 Then I'll juice in half the lemon. 284 00:13:07,734 --> 00:13:08,260 I like the contrast of the brightness against the hearty grain. 285 00:13:08,260 --> 00:13:11,467 I like the contrast of the brightness against the hearty grain. 286 00:13:11,467 --> 00:13:12,867 A little olive oil. 287 00:13:12,867 --> 00:13:15,734 And this helps prevent the grains from sticking all together. 288 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:17,333 And black pepper. 289 00:13:20,634 --> 00:13:22,367 Give it a toss. 290 00:13:22,367 --> 00:13:25,734 One fun perk of living on a grain farm is that anytime 291 00:13:25,734 --> 00:13:28,900 you feel like a grain bowl, you can just send a text 292 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:31,533 and say, "Hey, bring in some grains for me." 293 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:34,166 And then Nick will go out to the grain bins, 294 00:13:34,166 --> 00:13:37,000 get me a bucket of wheat berries, and then I can 295 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,260 cook them up just like that. 296 00:13:38,260 --> 00:13:38,367 cook them up just like that. 297 00:13:38,367 --> 00:13:39,734 This being the start of the season, 298 00:13:39,734 --> 00:13:41,100 we don't have any wheat berries yet. 299 00:13:41,100 --> 00:13:43,266 The barley's also delicious. 300 00:13:43,266 --> 00:13:45,467 All right. This bacon is looking crispy. 301 00:13:45,467 --> 00:13:49,000 I'll transfer it to a wire rack so that any excess grease 302 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,266 can drip off. 303 00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:53,000 I'll get my other fixings and then assemble these bowls. 304 00:14:00,467 --> 00:14:02,100 Let's pack some bowls. 305 00:14:02,100 --> 00:14:04,000 I've got cute bento boxes. 306 00:14:05,734 --> 00:14:08,166 I'll start with a bed of spinach and get some 307 00:14:08,166 --> 00:14:08,260 green veggies under those grains. 308 00:14:08,260 --> 00:14:10,967 green veggies under those grains. 309 00:14:10,967 --> 00:14:13,367 And I like putting the greens on the bottom sometimes 310 00:14:13,367 --> 00:14:16,100 of the grains because then, like, the juices 311 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:18,100 of the grains and everything soaks down 312 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:20,367 and dresses the greens. 313 00:14:20,734 --> 00:14:22,000 Some barley. 314 00:14:25,166 --> 00:14:28,100 I've got six-and-a-half-minute eggs, 315 00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:30,734 which is very particular, I know, but I love the texture 316 00:14:30,734 --> 00:14:33,367 because it's in this perfect middle ground 317 00:14:33,367 --> 00:14:37,000 between being totally soft-boiled and hard-boiled. 318 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,260 So it's still gonna be oozy and the yolk will drip down 319 00:14:38,260 --> 00:14:40,867 So it's still gonna be oozy and the yolk will drip down 320 00:14:40,867 --> 00:14:42,867 over the grains and everything. 321 00:14:42,867 --> 00:14:44,800 Some bacon. 322 00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:51,634 A handful of croutons for crunch. 323 00:14:51,634 --> 00:14:54,467 One thing that grain bowls have to have in their toppings 324 00:14:54,467 --> 00:14:55,967 is a variety. 325 00:14:55,967 --> 00:14:58,734 Some crunchy things, definitely some pickly, 326 00:14:58,734 --> 00:15:01,734 briny things, fresh herbs, and then, of course, 327 00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:04,533 something saucy to bring it all together. 328 00:15:04,533 --> 00:15:07,967 Okay, pickle time. I've got all the pickles, cornichons, 329 00:15:07,967 --> 00:15:08,260 pickled onions, and pickled beets. 330 00:15:08,260 --> 00:15:10,734 pickled onions, and pickled beets. 331 00:15:10,734 --> 00:15:13,367 I didn't eat a whole ton of pickles until I moved here. 332 00:15:13,367 --> 00:15:17,367 There's major pickle culture in the Upper Midwest. 333 00:15:17,867 --> 00:15:19,533 Some pickled onions. 334 00:15:19,533 --> 00:15:21,367 They're so pretty and pink. 335 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,734 Pickled beets. 336 00:15:23,734 --> 00:15:26,367 Okay, I'm just trying to figure out what colors 337 00:15:26,367 --> 00:15:29,266 I want next to each other. 338 00:15:29,266 --> 00:15:33,266 I like seeing the contrast of the red beets 339 00:15:33,266 --> 00:15:34,800 next to the cornichons. 340 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:38,166 We'll get some radishes for some freshness. 341 00:15:38,166 --> 00:15:38,260 All right, I haven't added the herbs yet, 342 00:15:38,260 --> 00:15:40,166 All right, I haven't added the herbs yet, 343 00:15:40,166 --> 00:15:42,467 but I want to add the herbs on top of the ranch. 344 00:15:42,467 --> 00:15:45,800 I'll add some strategic squiggles of ranch. 345 00:15:47,634 --> 00:15:49,266 We're all about pickles and ranch. 346 00:15:49,266 --> 00:15:51,734 A pinch of flaky salt and pepper. 347 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:54,533 Yeah, that's good. 348 00:15:55,867 --> 00:15:57,967 And then lastly, my herbs. 349 00:15:57,967 --> 00:16:00,100 I've got my chives. 350 00:16:00,100 --> 00:16:02,266 I want to see the bright green herbs against the ranch. 351 00:16:02,266 --> 00:16:05,100 So again, I'm kind of being strategic with the sprinkling. 352 00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:06,533 And then dill. 353 00:16:06,533 --> 00:16:08,260 You almost need your dill tweezers for this job. 354 00:16:08,260 --> 00:16:09,734 You almost need your dill tweezers for this job. 355 00:16:09,734 --> 00:16:13,867 I love a bite of dill with an egg. 356 00:16:13,867 --> 00:16:16,734 These look very pretty, but I want to get the full effect 357 00:16:16,734 --> 00:16:20,800 of seeing the oozy yolk with these other toppings. 358 00:16:21,467 --> 00:16:22,533 Here I go. 359 00:16:24,266 --> 00:16:26,867 Oh, that's a perfectly cooked egg. 360 00:16:26,867 --> 00:16:28,634 Okay, well, since the yolk's broken, 361 00:16:28,634 --> 00:16:30,000 I might as well sneak a taste. 362 00:16:35,166 --> 00:16:37,467 Mmm. 363 00:16:37,467 --> 00:16:38,260 Between the crunchy crouton and the chewy grains 364 00:16:38,260 --> 00:16:40,533 Between the crunchy crouton and the chewy grains 365 00:16:40,533 --> 00:16:42,967 and the creamy yolk and the creamy ranch, 366 00:16:42,967 --> 00:16:45,266 that's a great farmer's lunch. 367 00:16:45,367 --> 00:16:46,467 Yum. 368 00:16:46,467 --> 00:16:48,800 I'd be a farmer if I could eat like this every day. 369 00:16:54,467 --> 00:16:57,734 Still to come, the secret to getting extra golden 370 00:16:57,734 --> 00:16:59,166 and crispy fried food. 371 00:17:10,867 --> 00:17:12,867 If there's anything that'll bring a tractor lunch 372 00:17:12,867 --> 00:17:15,500 to the next level, it's a deep fried thing. 373 00:17:15,500 --> 00:17:18,166 So I'm making my deep fried pickle chips, 374 00:17:18,166 --> 00:17:20,800 which are crunchy on the outside, snappy on the inside, 375 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,367 and way, way too easy to eat. 376 00:17:23,367 --> 00:17:26,533 I'm starting with dill pickle chips. 377 00:17:26,533 --> 00:17:29,467 I'll get them as dry as I possibly can, 378 00:17:29,467 --> 00:17:32,166 because you don't want that brine hitting the hot oil 379 00:17:32,166 --> 00:17:33,367 when they fry. 380 00:17:33,367 --> 00:17:34,089 Okay, I've got flour here. 381 00:17:34,089 --> 00:17:35,266 Okay, I've got flour here. 382 00:17:35,266 --> 00:17:38,800 I've got egg beaten with a bit of milk for some creaminess. 383 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,100 And I'm going to splash in some hot sauce, 384 00:17:41,100 --> 00:17:43,367 because I love a little heat with my brininess. 385 00:17:43,367 --> 00:17:46,100 And then for the coating, I've got panko breadcrumbs here, 386 00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:48,367 and I'll flavor it with a good couple of pinches 387 00:17:48,367 --> 00:17:51,900 of kosher salt, some dried dill, just to enhance 388 00:17:51,900 --> 00:17:53,266 the dilliness, 389 00:17:53,266 --> 00:17:56,900 paprika for smokiness, garlic powder. 390 00:17:59,367 --> 00:18:01,600 And then a little heat is a good contrast 391 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:03,500 to the bright brininess. 392 00:18:03,500 --> 00:18:04,089 This is some cayenne. 393 00:18:04,089 --> 00:18:04,900 This is some cayenne. 394 00:18:05,734 --> 00:18:07,166 I'll toss this together. 395 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,600 My dredging station is set up. I'll work in batches. 396 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:16,533 I'll coat the pickles in flour to help dry out 397 00:18:16,533 --> 00:18:18,800 the surface so that the egg can stick. 398 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,500 And then get them coated in the egg. 399 00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:24,500 I'm only using one hand in the egg 400 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:27,266 so that I don't create a total mess. 401 00:18:27,266 --> 00:18:30,433 And then get them totally coated in the breadcrumb mixture. 402 00:18:32,166 --> 00:18:34,089 Fried pickles are awesome because you get that crunchy, 403 00:18:34,089 --> 00:18:35,734 Fried pickles are awesome because you get that crunchy, 404 00:18:35,734 --> 00:18:38,367 deep-fried coating that you crave. 405 00:18:38,367 --> 00:18:42,333 But then on the inside, they're actually kind of light and snappy. 406 00:18:43,266 --> 00:18:45,800 The pickles are fully coated. 407 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,800 I've got enough to get a batch frying. 408 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:50,100 I have a couple of inches of neutral oil 409 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:52,166 heating to 360 degrees here. 410 00:18:52,166 --> 00:18:54,100 And I'll test to make sure it's hot enough 411 00:18:54,100 --> 00:18:55,600 by dropping in a breadcrumb. 412 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,533 And if it sizzles immediately, that's how I know that 413 00:18:58,533 --> 00:19:00,066 it's ready to fry. 414 00:19:00,066 --> 00:19:02,100 I'll drop them in gently, and I'll first load them 415 00:19:02,100 --> 00:19:03,734 onto my spider here. 416 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:07,734 It's time for the magic to happen. 417 00:19:09,266 --> 00:19:11,867 These only take a few minutes. 418 00:19:11,867 --> 00:19:14,600 I'm just frying on both sides until they're golden brown. 419 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,900 They're already sizzling. 420 00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:18,467 I'll flip them to ensure that 421 00:19:18,467 --> 00:19:19,900 they're golden on the other side. 422 00:19:20,634 --> 00:19:22,533 Okay, I'm getting impatient. 423 00:19:23,266 --> 00:19:24,734 I'll get them out of the oil. 424 00:19:25,367 --> 00:19:26,800 Oh, yeah, look at those. 425 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,367 Great color and great breadcrumb coverage. 426 00:19:30,367 --> 00:19:34,089 While they're still hot, I'll sprinkle with a good pinch of salt. 427 00:19:34,089 --> 00:19:34,266 While they're still hot, I'll sprinkle with a good pinch of salt. 428 00:19:34,266 --> 00:19:36,900 I'll fry up the rest and then make a simple dipping sauce. 429 00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:45,734 A little mayo mixed with relish and hot sauce. 430 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:51,500 Here I go. 431 00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:54,634 Oh, yeah. That's a beautiful bite right there. 432 00:19:55,266 --> 00:19:58,634 -[crunching] -Mmm. 433 00:19:58,634 --> 00:20:01,734 It's this epic trio of briny, 434 00:20:01,734 --> 00:20:04,089 creamy, crunchy fried situations. 435 00:20:04,089 --> 00:20:05,900 creamy, crunchy fried situations. 436 00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:09,066 All right, I'll pack these up and then go find a farmer. 437 00:20:09,734 --> 00:20:11,066 Most likely Nick. 438 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:22,266 Just the farmer I was looking for. 439 00:20:22,266 --> 00:20:24,367 I have a gigantic stack of food. 440 00:20:24,367 --> 00:20:26,166 I always have an appetite. 441 00:20:26,166 --> 00:20:30,100 You often have stacks of food, so we're a good match. 442 00:20:30,467 --> 00:20:32,000 Grain bowl for me. 443 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,089 -Oh, and monkey bread. -Oh, my goodness. 444 00:20:34,089 --> 00:20:34,100 -Oh, and monkey bread. -Oh, my goodness. 445 00:20:38,367 --> 00:20:39,734 These are outstanding. 446 00:20:39,734 --> 00:20:41,867 I mean, you could have made a whole stack of pickle chips, honestly. 447 00:20:41,867 --> 00:20:42,867 I would have been okay with that. 448 00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:44,333 -That would have been a lot easier. -Yeah. 449 00:20:46,367 --> 00:20:47,367 I can tell you one thing. 450 00:20:47,367 --> 00:20:50,266 If it is not a great planting season, 451 00:20:50,266 --> 00:20:54,233 it isn't because I was not well nourished. 452 00:20:55,367 --> 00:20:58,634 -You follow that? -Thanks. Yeah. [chuckling]