16 Ramp Recipes to Use Up Your Farmers’ Market Bounty

Paige Johnson
Apr 10, 2016

If you consider yourself a foodie, chances are you’re gearing up for ramp season right about now. Because of their finicky growing habits, ramps are only in season from April to June, but *thankfully* you can find them all over the country. What do they taste like? A pungent yet balanced blend of garlic and onion that complements so many recipes. You’ll find them in dinner specials at your favorite restaurant and probably all over your Instagram feed for the next few weeks. Take a farmers’ market shopping tip from us and stock up on all the ramps you can carry in your cute DIY tote, because these 16 recipes are calling your name.

1. Ramp Spiked Dijon Yogurt Salad Dressing: This creamy dressing really allows for the garlic character of the ramp to shine. Since it’s less pungent than raw garlic, it’s great for using in a raw recipe. Serve on a bed of kale with tender seared steak for a date-night meal worthy of a five-star restaurant. (via The Ali Conklin)

2. Spring Potato Salad With Ramps and Radishes: Roll up to a spring barbecue with this potato salad in hand and you’ll make family foodie history. Plus, you can find all of the seasonal ingredients at the farmers’ market. Yay for one-stop shopping! (via Relishing It)

3. The Most Delicious Ramp Butter: Whipping up a compound butter is the easiest way to infuse the essence of ramps into multiple dishes. Whether you’re slathering it on crostini or a baked potato, you’ll fall in love with the simple flavor hack. Make sure to prepare extra and freeze it so you can have delicious ramp butter year round. (via Nerds With Knives)

4. Ramp Pesto Pizza With Razor Clams: Making pesto with a fresh batch of ramps is an amazing way to utilize their distinctive taste. This pesto is seasoned simply with sunflower seeds and Parmesan cheese, so it serves as a great base for pizzas and sandwiches. (via Wild Greens and Sardines)

5. Ramp and Mushroom Quiche: Ramps go bad within a day or so, which means you may want to incorporate them into all of your meals for a couple days. This quiche is great for a spring brunch. (via Two of a Kind)

6. Ramp Sausage Lasagna: Since you can’t exactly preserve ramps themselves (unless you pickle them), it’s smart to use them in a dish that freezes well. Lasagna is a great make-ahead meal, so you can have that elusive ramp goodness even in November. (via Local Kitchen Blog)

7. Hazelnut and Wild Ramp Pesto Crostini: You might want to think of an excuse to have a party just so you can make this crostini while ramps are in season. Maybe if you have a ton of foodie friends you can have a ramp recipe exchange? (via JJ Begonia)

8. Ramp Risotto With Blue Cheese: This luxurious risotto uses the bulb and the greens of the ramp to season the dish in two different ways. The bulb is added early on to soften the pungent bite and infuse the taste throughout the risotto. The greens are blanched and pureed, then stirred in at the end to take the flavor up another notch. (via Earthy Delights Blog)

9. Ramp Tacos: You don’t have to go out of your way to make ramp-specific recipes; incorporating them into your regular dinner rotation is a great way to use up your bounty. These vegan tacos are a perfect choice for meatless Monday or taco Tuesday. (via Plate and Pencil)

10. Ramp Vichyssoise With Crisp Fried Ramp Greens: This chilled soup is perfect for those warm, late-spring days. Ramps are the primary ingredient for the soup as well as the crispy topper, adding an extra crunch to zest things up. (via Earthy Delights Blog)

11. Ramp and Goat Cheese Puffs: It’s not every day that an appetizer outshines every other dish. These cheese puffs are dense, moist and full of fresh spring vibrancy. They would be perfect alongside a big Sunday dinner with the whole fam around the table. (via Three Little Halves)

12. Ravioli With Ramps and Ricotta: When cooking with ramps, you want to make sure you’re using the highest quality ingredients possible to pay tribute to its special flavor. Homemade pasta, fresh ricotta and a simple tomato sauce are all you need to make sure your ramps shine. (via Perpetually Hungry)

13. Savory Steel-Cut Oats With Ramps, Parmesan and Tamari: Ramps and oats… Have we gone mad? Trust us on this one — you’ll go nuts for this yummy dish packed with umami. And you don’t have to use the whole ramp for every recipe. This bowl of savory oats only uses the greens, so you can save the bulbs for another recipe. (via Simple Bites)

14. Spaghetti With Ramp Pesto: A big batch of ramp pesto can be used in many different dishes, because you can treat it just as you would regular basil pesto. Pair it with al dente pasta and a glass of Chardonnay for an elegant dinner in a flash. (via The Optimalist Kitchen)

15. Wild Rice Bowl With Ramps, Asparagus and Snap Peas: Earthy wild rice is a perfect match for seasonal veggies like ramp, asparagus and snap peas. This nutritious bowl of goodness is as hearty as it is healthy. (via A Better Happier St. Sebastian)

16. Wild Garlic and Farro Soup: This is a simple soup with an intense wallop of flavor. The tart pomegranate is a great topping since the rest of the dish is so prominently seasoned with the savory wild garlic we know and love as ramps. (via Recipes from a Pantry)

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Yep, 'The Last Of Us' Just Killed Off THAT Character

MAJOR The Last of Us season 2 spoilers ahead!

If you thought The Last of Us season 2 couldn't get more dramatic than its premiere, then you'd be wrong. Season 2 primes us for some emotional drama by showing just how much Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) are at odds, and throwing Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who's seeking revenge on Joel for her own father's murder, into the mix shatters everything.

The Last of Us season 2, episode 2, "Through The Valley" is already being heralded by social media users as one of the best episodes in TV history. But it's definitely memorable for one specific reason: the episode killed off Joel, played by Pedro Pascal.

Let's talk about what the heck just happened with Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) in The Last of Us season 2.

Does Joel die in episode 2?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Joel Miller (played by Pedro Pascal in the hit HBO show) dies in The Last of Us season 2, episode 2. "People are going to be upset. That's sometimes how good drama goes," executive producer Craig Mazin tellsUSA Today. "This was something that was always meant to happen. So much of the first season was, in a weird way, leading to this moment. And it's upsetting."

The horrifying moment comes after a blizzard — and some infected — put Abby, Joel, and Dina (Isabela Merced) on a collision course. After they rescue her from the aforementioned infected, Abby brings the two Jackson residents back to the lodge in the mountains where her group is hiding. Meanwhile Jackson, dealing with its own infected attack, burns in the distance.

Joel's anxious to return to town, but he's got bigger problems: Abby recognizes him as the man who killed her father (and wiped out the Firefly hospital) and, after putting Dina to sleep, Abby takes out five years' worth of anger and devastation on him with a golf club. Yeah. I can't believe it either.

But even more horrifying is when Ellie finds the lodge and bursts into the room. When she begs Joel to get up, there's a moment when you can see a beaten Joel start to lift himself up from the ground before Abby uses the now-broken golf club to kill him. I hope Ellie holds onto this moment and knows Joel was willing and able to do whatever it took to keep her safe!! I will scream about them forever!!

As Abby's group leaves, Ellie swears she'll kill them, and "you can't help but believe it is absolutely true," Craig says. There's a truly devastating shot of Ellie lying over Joel's body in the empty room that parallels her nursing him back to health at the end of season 1, episode 7 and I don't know if I'll ever get over it.

Why was Joel killed off?

In addition to being literal retribution for the death of Abby's father, Joel's death is a catalyst for Ellie's journey throughout the rest of the season as she grapples with revenge, grief, and anger. "Loss is kind of how this story functions, so this was largely preordained," Craig continues.

And yes, Pedro was aware of this devastating scene when he signed up for the life-changing role. "When I talked to Pedro the first time, I said, 'This is how this will go,'" Craig says. "I wanted him to know that we're not going to do this for seven seasons with you in that spot. We're going to do a season, and if it goes well and there's a second season, this will happen."

What happens to Ellie after Joel dies?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

The trailer for the rest of The Last of Us season 2 shows that Ellie and Dina aren't giving up until they enact their own revenge on Abby and her group. The two women are headed for Seattle and they're up against infected, the militia, and everything else this post-apocalyptic world has to throw at them.

But even though Joel's gone for good, Pedro isn't. We're in for plenty of flashbacks that fill in those five years between seasons 1 and 2!

Tune into new episodes of The Last of Us season 2 on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 PM ET to see what happens next.

The story's not over yet! Here's the last news on The Last Of Us Season 3.

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The 8 Best '90s Rom-Coms That Prove The Genre Will Never Be That Good Again

There's nothing like a good rom-com, and unfortunately there's also nothing like a bad rom-com. With dull scripts and (at times) even duller characters, the romance movie market has been flailing for me in recent years. I'm really hoping movies like Anyone But You, Set It Up, and Materialists revive the era of the rom-com (recession core!!!) but I still stand by the fact the 1990s and early 2000s is the best rom-com era of all time. Here are 8 movies to prove it.

Keep reading for the 8 best '90s rom-coms that put the rest to shame.

1. Notting Hill (1999)

Universal Pictures

Notting Hill follows famous American actress Anna (Julia Roberts) who stumbles into Will's (Hugh Grant) Notting Hill bookstore...and his life. But Anna's fame (and the paparazzi) make everything more complicated.

Notting Hill stars Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Rhys Ifans, and James Dreyfus.

2. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Hollywood Pictures

This '90s rom-com follows Sandra Bullock's character Lucy, who works as a Chicago Transit Authority ticket booth operator. And her life gets more exciting than she could have predicted when she rescues her longtime crush from an oncoming train...and his family believes they're engaged.

While You Were Sleeping stars Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Glynis Johns, and Jack Warden.

3. You've Got Mail (1998)

Warner Bros. Pictures

When Harry Met Sally might be Meg Ryan's most iconic movie, but You've Got Mail is arguably the most romantic. The movie follows two rival bookstore owners (Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks) who don't realize they've been falling for each other over email.

You've Got Mail stars Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.

4. Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

TriStar Pictures

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan also starred together in Sleepless In Seattle, in which widower Sam's (Tom Hanks) son calls into a radio show to find Sam a partner — and Annie (Meg Ryan) decides to find him IRL.

Sleepless in Seattle stars Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, and Bill Pullman.

5. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Renaissance Films

Yes, this '90s rom-com is actually a Shakespearean tale. Much Ado About Nothing follows Hero and Claudio who decide to set the very-single and very argumentative Benedick and Beatrice up with each other. Fun fact, this loosely inspired Anyone But You!

Much Ado About Nothing stars Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, and Kate Beckinsale.

6. Shakespeare In Love (1998)

Universal Pictures/Miramax

And I can't talk about Shakespeare adaptations without mentioning Shakespeare In Love! The movie follows the one and only William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes), who totally runs out of money and inspiration...until he meets Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Shakespeare In Love stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Jim Carter, Martin Clunes, Antony Sher, and Imelda Staunton.

7. Pretty Woman (1990)

Touchstone Pictures

Pretty Woman is the perfect mix of '80s and '90s, and the fact that Julia Roberts stars as the titular pretty woman makes this movie a must-watch. Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is a Hollywood escort who's hired by wealthy Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) to accompany him over the course of a week. And, of course, their business deal quickly turns into something more.

Pretty Woman stars Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Jason Alexander, and Héctor Elizondo.

8. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Rank Film Distributors

This '90s rom-com follows bachelor Charles (Hugh Grant), who — over the course of four weddings and a single funeral — realizes he's fallen in love with Carrie (Andie MacDowell).

Four Weddings and a Funeral stars Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow, James Fleet, John Hannah, Charlotte Coleman, David Bower, Corin Redgrave, and Rowan Atkinson.

Read 10 Cringy 90s Movies That Would Never Be Made Today for more throwbacks!

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The 8 Best Family Movies of All Time That Everyone Will Love

Family movie nights might seem like a simple way to get your kids to simmer down for the evening. But once they grow up, the time you all spend together huddled under blankets on the couch and munching away on popcorn will truly become cherished memories.

If we're being honest, though, finding a film that keeps both the little ones and the grown-ups entertained can be a tall order. That's why we've rounded up the best family movies of all time. Some are classics, while others are newer, but they each strike that perfect balance of heart and humor that will get everyone engaged.

Scroll to see all the best family movies of all time you can stream right now!

Pixar

1. Inside Out (2015)

Pixar's Inside Out takes viewers on a journey into the mind of an 11-year-old girl named Riley as she grapples with a big life change: moving to a new city. Directed by Peter Docter, this beautifully animated film brings Riley's emotions of Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust to life, giving kids and parents alike a creative way to talk about feelings.

Inside Out is rated PG, clocks in at 102 minutes long, and features an all-star voice cast, including Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, and Lewis Black.

Columbia Pictures

2. Daddy Day Care (2003)

In this hilarious movie, Eddie Murphy plays Charlie, a man who loses his corporate job and teams up with a buddy to open a daycare out of his own home. As it turns out, a lot can go wrong.

Directed by Steve Carr, Daddy Day Care is a laugh-out-loud comedy that pokes fun at traditional gender roles while still delivering a sweet message about parenting and perseverance. It's rated PG, has a runtime of 92 minutes, and is perfect for families who love a bit of silliness.

20th Century Fox

3. The Greatest Showman (2017)

This feel-good musical premiered in 2017 and quickly captured the hearts of viewers everywhere, bringing the story of P.T. Barnum to life.

Hugh Jackman leads a star-studded cast that includes Zac Efron, Zendaya, and Michelle Williams. The Greatest Showman also features a ton of catchy tunes, so at 105 minutes, it's a great choice for families into showbiz.

Pixar

4. Finding Nemo (2003)

We'd be remiss if we didn't include Finding Nemo, Pixar's timeless underwater adventure that has stood the test of time. It follows Marlin, a cautious clownfish, as he teams up with the forgetful but lovable Dory to search for his son Nemo, who's been scooped up by a diver and placed in a fish tank.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and rated G, this film is 100 minutes of humor, lovable characters, and important lessons about bravery, independence, and trust.

Universal Pictures

5. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Another cultural phenomenon that still tugs at our heartstrings decades later is E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. This sci-fi tale of a gentle alien stranded on Earth and the boy who befriends him is packed with wonder and a few emotional gut punches.

It's rated PG-13, is 115 minutes long, and is best suited for older kids who can handle some mild language and more intense scenes towards the end. Also, parents will get to see young Drew Barrymore again!

Sony Pictures

6. Paddington (2015)

Paddington is a modern classic based on the beloved children's books, following a polite bear from Peru who finds himself lost in London's Paddington Station. Then, the kind Brown family takes him in.

Directed by Paul King, this G-rated film is only 95 minutes long and will draw viewers of all ages in with its clever humor and heartfelt themes. Plus, if you fall in love with the first Paddington film, there's an equally good sequel you can watch as well.

Pixar

7. Up (2009)

This Pixar movie follows Carl, a widowed 78-year-old balloon salesman who decides to fulfill his lifelong dream of visiting South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and floating away. Along for the ride is Russell, a spirited Boy Scout who's just as eager for the adventure.

Featuring the voices of Ed Asner and Jordan Nagai, Up is rated PG, lasts 96 minutes, and has some emotional moments, including a famous opening montage that may cause you to shed some tears.

Warner Bros

8. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

Last but certainly not least is Where the Wild Things Are, which takes Maurice Sendak's classic book and transforms it into a thoughtful film about childhood emotions and imagination.

The story follows Max, a lonely boy who runs away from home and finds himself in a mysterious land filled with large, furry creatures. With a PG rating and a 101-minute runtime, the film is better suited for tweens who can appreciate its slower pace and introspective themes.

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