Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Snap Pea Salad

2 cups torn romaine lettuce

1 1/2 cups thnly sliced bok choy leaves and stems

1 1/2 cups sugar snap peas, stringed

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/2 cup feta or blue cheese, crumbled (or our goat cheese!)

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

1/4 tsp salt



1. Place lettuce, bok choy, peas, onion, and cheese in a large bowl. Toss to mix

2. Place oil, vinegar, juice, pepper sauce, and salt in a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake well.

3. Pour dressing over salad. Toss and serve immediately

Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Lime Dresssing

From SELF, July 2003

Salad:
2 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and well drained
3/4 cup chopped, seeded tomato
3/4 cup chopped, peeled jicama (try kohlrabi)
3/4 fresh corn kernals, uncooked (or frozen or canned)
3/4 cup thnly sliced radishes
half a rip avacado, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (or our goat cheese!)

Honey-Lime Dressing
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 tsp chopped jalapeno pepper (use canned for less heat)

Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl. In separate bowl, mix dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over mixture and toss again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Layered Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing

2 large heads of garlic
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup coarsley chopped basil
2 large heads of Romaine lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 16 cups)
1 large fresh fennel bulb, halved, cored, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1 15-15 1/2 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed, drained
1/2 cup pitted coarsely chopped kalamata olives
12 oz grape tomatoes, halved
2 medium zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/8 inch rounds (about 2 cups)

Preperation:

Preheat oven to 400F. Cut off top 1/2 inch from galic heads. Place garlic heads in foli, cut sides up. drizzle each with 1 tsp olive oil. Enclose garlic heads in foil. Roast until soft, about 1 hour. Unwrap;cool. Squeeze galic from skins into blender. Add mayonnaise and buttermilk; puree. Add basil; blend until chopped. Season with salt and pepper.
Place lettuce in bottom of large glass bowl. Top with fennel slices, then garbonzo beans, olives and tomatoes. Spread zucchini salad, covering. Spread dressing over zucchini. Cover; chill at least 1 hour.

Can be made 8 hours ahead. Just before serving, toss salad.

Braised Lettuce

Cook, uncovered, in a large skillet wit a lid over low heat for 10 minutes:
1 thick slice bacon, finely diced or 2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup diced onions
3/4 cup diced carrots

Meanwhile, drop into a large pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes:
2 pr 3 large heads lettuce, washed and outer leaves removed. Drain, then cut lengthwise in half. Set the lettuces cut side down over the vegetables and add enough water to come slightly less than halfway up the sides. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. remove the lettuce with a slotted spoon to a warmed platter. Keep warm. remove the lid and reduce the liquid over high heat to a syrupy sauce. serve immediately.

Pasta Slaw

from Lickety-Split Meals by Zonya



Put a medium-size pot of water on to boil.

place in a large serving bowl:

2 cups shredded cabbage

2 cups shredded carrots

1 cup kale , or other green, remove center rib and slice thin



Add to boiling water:

2 oz dry spaghetti pasta

Add to cabbage and carrots:

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1/2 red onion or 4 green onions, thnly sliced and chopped



Mix together in a small bowl:

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp oregano (use more of that fresh oregano)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp crushed garlic

dash of pepper to taste



Drain pasta: add to vegetables while still hot. Toss altogether with dressing. Serve warm or chilled

Asian Slaw with Peanuts

One of our favorites! Great for a 4th of July BBQ

Whisk together in a medium bowl to blend:
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp oriental sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tsp soy sauce

Combine in a large bowl:
6 cups Napa cabbage, thinly sliced (try adding kale here!)
6 green onions, very thinly sliced
6 oz snow peas, stringed, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 large red bell pepper thinly sliced
1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Toss with enough dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Creamy Chicked Dijon over Noodles

Fast and easy 15 minute meal from Lickety Split Meals.

1 tbsp olive oil
1tsp minced garlic (2 cloves or more)
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into strips
8 oz dried egg noodles
1 small bunch fresh asparagus
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup light sour cream or non-fat yogurt

1. Put pot of water on to boil for pasta
2. saute chicken strips with garlic in olive oil for 7 to 8 minutes, add sliced mushrooms
3. Meanwhile, add to boiling water, set timer for 6 minutes
4. meanwhile- wash asparagus. Trim off ends, cut diagonally into 1 1/2 inch slices and set aside.
5. Mix mustard and sour cream together. Add to bubbling chicken and mushrooms.
6. when the timer goes off, toss asparagus in with the noodles. Set time for 2 minutes, At the sound of the timer, quickly drain.

Serve the creamy chicken dijon over the noodles with asparagus and serve with a fresh green salad.

Pasta with Fresh Spinach, Walnuts & Gorgonzola Cheese

1 tbsp olive oil
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 to 1 lb fresh spinach leaves, cleaned and shredded
6 oz gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
freshly ground black pepper
hot cooked pasta of your choice

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat;add garlic and saute until golden. Add spinach; toss and cook until wilted. Stir in walnuts and cheese; toss until well combined. Season with pepper to taste. Serve over pasta

Chard and Onion Omelet

from Deborah Madison

3 tbsp olive oil
1 large red or white onion, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1 bunch chard, leaves only, chopped
salt and pepper
1 garlic clove or use several green garlic
6 to 8 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp chopped parsely
2 tsp chopped thyme
1 cup grated gruyere
2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan

Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a 10inch skillet, add the onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely soft, but not colored, about 15 minutes. Add the chard and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all the moisture has cooked off and the chard in tender, about 15 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, chop garlic finely with a few pinches of salt, then stir it into the eggs along with the herbs. Combine the chard mixture with the eggs and stir in the gruyere and half the parmesan. Preheat the broiler. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet and, when it is hot, add the eggs. Give a stir and keep the heat at medium-high for about a minute, then turn it to low. Cook until the eggs are set but a little moist on top, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the remaining parmesan and broil 4 to 6 inches from the heat, until browned.

Spinach Leek Frittata

A great recipe from Rolling Prairie Cookbook, written for CSAs

1 tbsp butter
3 leeks, thinly sliced
about 3/4 pound spinach, chopped and washed
1 tsp fresh oregano, minced or 1 tsp dried
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups lowfat milk
4 oz gruyere cheese, grated
1/2 tsp salt and lots of freshly ground pepper
3 cups fresh bread cubes, cut into 1/4 inch cubes (ciabatta of french bread)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter ina large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and oregano and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside. Beat the eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper together. Stir in the bread cubes and spinach-leek mixture. Mix well. Pour into an oiled 9 inch baking dish. Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until golden and firm. Serves 4 to 6 hungry people!

Asian Spinach Salad

1 lb spinach, trimmed and washed
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
freshly ground pepper to taste

1. steam spinach until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible. Chop coarsley.
2. In bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, seeds, garlic, sugar, vinegar and pepper: mix well. Add spinach to sauce, and toss to coat. Serve hot or cold.

Greens Sauteed with Garlic, Raisins and Pine Nuts

This is our favorite way to eat braising greens or any mixture of greens that we have on hand. I keep raisins and pine nuts on hand so I can make this often. This is supposed to serve 4 or 6 but 3 at our house can eat it all.

About 1 1/2 pounds mixed greens (such as mustard, kale, collard, leaves only) shredded, washed and drained
1/2 cup packed raisins
3 tbsp olive oil
7 cloves garlic, minced (or whatever you desire)
1/2 cup pinenuts, lightly toasted
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1. Bring 1/2 water to boil in a large soup pt or saute pan over medium-high heat. Gradually add the greens, stirring them down with each addition. When all the greens have been added and are well wilted, add the raisins, partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until greens are very tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine the oil & garlic ina skillet and cook over medium heat until the garlic is soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the pine nuts, remove from heat and set aside.
3. When the greens are cooked, pour off any liquid remaining in the pot without draining thoroughly so the greens remain moist. Stir in the vinegar and garlic oil.

Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad

I cup cooked wheat berries (see blog for recipe). Drained and cooled to room temperature.
2 tsp walnuts, toasted and chopped
2 apples- 1 sweet, 1 tart
1 celery rib, sliced thin
2/3 cup packed fresh mint leaves, washed well, spun dry and chopped
1/2 cup dried sour cherries or cranberries
1/4 cup golden raisins
2 scallions, chopped (could use a shallot instead)
3 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
3/4 tsp freshly grated orange zest
lettuce leaves or salad mix

Cut apples into 1/2 inch chunks and in a large bowl toss with wheat berries and all remainig ingredients except lettuce. Season salad with salt and pepper and serve over lettuce.

Wheat Berries

from Deborah Madison, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

1 cup wheat berries, soaked overnight and drained

Put the wheat berries in a pot with plenty of water to cover by a few inches ( I usually use 2 1/2-3 cups). Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer until they are tender, 1 to 2 hours. Add 1/2 tsp salt once they have started to soften. Make about 4 cups.

Egg Salad with Herbs

6 large free range eggs
3 scallions, including several inches of the greens, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chooped chervil or 2 tsp chopped tarragon or lovage (whatever herb is in season)
1 tbsp minced parsley
1 tbsp slivered chives
1/3 cup mayonnaise or more to taste
1 1/2 tsp smooth mustard
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Vinegar or fresh lemon juice

1. Place eggs in a pot of cold water and bring to a boul, and boil for 1 minute. Turn off heat, cover the pan and let stand for 15 minutes. Place them into a bowl of cold water and run cold water on them to cool. Peel.
2. Coarsley mash the eggs with a fork. Add scallions and herbs, holding back a few of the chives, the mayonnaise and the mustard. season with salt and pepper and a few drops of lemon or vinegar to taste.

Put on good bread with some arugula for a great sandwich!

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2/3 cup lime juice
3 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 cup cider vinegar
pinch salt
2/3 cup packed cilantro leaves
2-4 dashes Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp cumin
1/4 canola oil

Place all ingredients except the oil in the blender. Turn on blender and slowly add oil. Add oil very slowly to the "hole" in the middle. Use a little water if you lose the hole, but just enough to keep the little hole so the oil gets blended.

Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Stir-fried Bok Choy with Roasted Peanuts

Another from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.

3 tbsp raw peanuts
2 tbsp roasted peanut oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
salt
1 1/2 pounds bok choy
2 tbsp peanut oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp roasted peanut oil
small piece of ginger
1 tsp cornstarch

Fry the peanuts in 2 tsp roasted peanut oil until they are golden. Chop with the pepper flakes and a few pinches of salt and set aside.
Slice off the bok choy stems and cut them into 1 inch pieces. Leave the leaves whole. Set in wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the 2 tbsp peanut oil and rollit around the sides. When hot, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry briefly (1 minute). Add the bok choy and a few pinches salt and stir-fry until wilted and glossy. Add the soy sauce and some cornstarch and stir-fry for 1 or 2 minutes more until the leaves are shiny and glazed. Add the chopped peanuts, toss and serve.

Rice with Spinach, Lemon and Dill

Another great recipe from Deborah Madison, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. We highly recommend this cookbook!

2 tbsp olive oil, butter or a mixture
1 cup finely chopped scallions, including several inches of the greens
1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
1 large bunch spinach leaves, finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped dill
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
salt and freshly milled pepper

Warm the oil and/or butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook, stirring frequently until wilted; 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice, spinach, dill, lemon zest and 1/2 tsp salt, cook until the spinach has wilted. If you are using white tice, ass 1 3/4 cups water, for brown rice add 2 1/4 cups/. Bring to a boil then lower the heat, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes for white rice, 30-40 minute for brown. Add the lemon juice and gently loosen the grains with a fork. Cover and let stand for minutes. Season with pepper and serve. You can stir 1/2 cup crumbled feta or 1 cup large-curd cottage cheese.

Serves 4.

Snap Pea Salad

2 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced bok choy leaves and stems
1 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, stringed and if desired, blanched
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup feta or blue cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
1/4 tsp salt

1. place lettuce, bok choy, peas, onion, and cheese in a large bowl. Toss to mix
2. place oil, vinegar, juice, pepper sauce, and salt in a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake well.
3. Pour dressing over salad. Toss and serve immediately.

Napa Cabbagewith Red Cabbage Salad

2 tsp butter
1 cup pecan halves
2 tbsp golden brown sugar
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp (scant) cayenne pepper
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar (also known as sushi vinegar)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium unpeeled cameo or fuji apples, quartered, cored, thinly sliced crosswise
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
3/4 cup dried tart cherries (about 5 oz)

Melt butter in nonstick medium skillet over medium-hihg heat. Add pecans and stir 1 minute. Add brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and cayenne; stir until nuts are coated, about 1 minute. transfer nuts to foil sheet and cool. Whisk both veinegars and mustard in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Do ahead spiced pecans and dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Store pecans in airtight container at room temperature. Cover and chill dressing; bring to room temperature and rewhisk before using. Toss apples with lemon juice in large bowl. Add cabbages and dried cherries; mix. Add dressing and toss. Stir in pecans and season salad with salt and pepper.

Lucious Beet Salad

A favorite beet salad, even known to be eaten by confirmed beet haters. From Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair

Salad:
4 large beets
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
1 bunch beet greens or chard
2 scallions, finely chopped
1/4 lb feta cheese

Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3/4 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil

1. remove tops from beets, scrub well. Place beets in a large pot filled with water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until beets are tender, could be up to one hour or more, depending on the size beets. Set aside to cool.
2. Toast pumpkin seeds by placing seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Move the skillet back and forth over the heat with one hand; stir the seeds using a wooden spoon with the other hand. This will toast the seeds evenly and prevent burning. When the seeds begin to pop and give off a nutty aroma they are ready. Remove seeds from skillet and set aside.
3/ To prepare beet greens, bring a large pot of water to boil. Chop beet greens (or chard) into bite size pieces, wash in your salad spinner. Lift out of the water and drop greens into boiling water and let it cook for about 30 seconds, just enough to make the stem's tender. Place greens in colander and run cold water over them to halt cooking.
4. Place all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Peel beets and cut into small cubes. Squeeze excess water out of the cooked greens. Put cubed beets, beet greens, pumpkin seeds, and scallions in a salad bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently. Crumble feta cheese on top. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Spinach and Walnut Pasta

Comfort food from Cooking Outside the Box by Abel & Cole from England. A great read.

Package of whole wheat fusilli
1 1/2 cups walnuts
4 cups of finely chopped fresh spinach or arugula
a glug of olive oil
3/4 cup grated parmesan
a handful of capers (optional)
a handful of sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
salt and freshly ground pepper

Put pot of water on to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. While this is cooking, blitz the walnits in a blender or food processor to a breadcrumb consistency and put aside in a bowl. Add the spinach to the pasta pot 2 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Take a few spoonfuls of the cooking water from the pasta and mix it with the walnuts to create a paste. Add more water little by little until you have a sauce the thickness you like. When the pasta is cooked al dente, drain well and then pop it back in the pot. Stir through the walnut paste, the olive oil, half the parmesan, the capers and tomatoes if using. Season well and serve in hot bowls with the rest of the parmesan sprinkled over the top.

Asian Cabbage Salad

From Bon Appetit via epicurious.com

1 hd green cabbage (about .75 pounds very thinly sliced or 10-12 cups)
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp sesame oil

Place cabbage in a very large bowl. Add vinegar, cilantro and and oil. Toss. Season with salt and pepper. Cover: chill for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours, tossing often.

Terry's note: We added sliced spinach, black kale would be good too, red pepper, snap peas and grated carrots for a very colorful salad.

Simple Sorrel Sauce

1 tbsp butter
1 small shallot, finely minced (spring garlic or onions will do)
2 cups sorrel leaves, stems removed, chopped coarsley
1-2 tbsp white wine
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground white pepper
1/4 to 1/3 cup cream or half and half

Heat butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. add shallots. Saute until the shallots are just about tender. Add the sorrel, white wine, and salt. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, or until sorrel is completely soft and almost sauce-like. Add pepper to taste. The sauce can be served as is or pureed in a food procesor or blender with cream. Drizzle on top of lightly steamed asparagus.

Greens with Hot garlic dressing

1/3 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves minced (or 5-6 spring garlic bulbs!)
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 lb mixed tender greens (rapini plus chards, kales, mustard etc.)

Heat oil and garlic in a small saucepan over moderate heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in vinegar and immediately pour over greens. Season with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

Kale and Spinach with Hazelnuts

1/2 cup hazelnuts
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced small
4 large cloves garlic, minced
10 cups mixed thinly shredded kale and spinach leaves, washed and drained but not dried
salt and pepper to taste

1. Toast the hazelnuts in an ungreased skillet over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until the nuts are darkened in spots, 5-7 minutes. Cool enough to handle, coarsly chop and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large saute pan or wok. Stir in the onion and garlic and saute over medium head until transluscent, about 5 minutes. Add the greens in batches, stirring them down after each addition, until all are in the pan. Stir-fry until tender, 8-12 minutes, depending on the age of the greens.

Warm Spinach Salad with a Touch of Purple

From Sarah Ingraham, 2009.

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 ts Dijon mustard
a bunch of chive flowers
a handful of chopped chives
salt and pepper

Salad:
2 hard boiled eggs, sliced (optional, could also use tempeh sauteed with tamari)
radishes, sliced into thin rounds

Put olive oil and chive flowers in a pan over medium heat. Saute flowers until wilted. Add the rest of the dressing ingredients and bring to a boil. Toss a good handful of spinach in the pan and stir it around for half a minute, then pour it all over the rest of your spinach. Garnish with slices of egg and thin shavings of radish. Salt and pepper on top as needed.

Cheese Tortellini with Garlic

8 oz cheese tortellini
1/3 to 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 lb spinach (chop the big leaves smaller)
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. place the nuts, spinach, garlic and olive oil in a large serving bowl. Set aside.
2. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer into the bowl. Toss, sprinkle the parmesan over the top and serve.

Asian Spinach Salad

1 lb spinach, trimmed and washed
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
freshly ground pepper to taste

1. steam spinach until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible. Chop coarsley. 2. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, seeds, garlic, sugar, vinegar and pepper: mix well.

Penne with Potatoes and Asparagus

From the Rolling Prarie Cookbook

2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, coarsley chopped (2 to 2 1/2 cups)
1 pound small waxy potatoes, cut in thick slices, then cut in half (4 cups)
1 tsp salt
several sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 pound penne pasta
1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces
several splashes balsamic vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup parsely, chopped (try basil when in season)
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Put in a large pot of water to cook the pasta. Pour oil in a 9x13 baking pan. Put the onions and potatoes in the pan, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, add the sprigs of thyme, and mix well to coat the vegetables with oil. Bake, uncovered, fora bout 15 minutes. Vegetables should be almost tender. While vegetables are roasting, cook the pasta until just tender, drain, and set aside. Remove vegetables from the oven. Add the asparagus and the cooked pasta. Season to taste with salt, several splashes balsamic vinegar, black pepper and the fresh parsely or basil. Toss carefully until vegetables and pasta are evenly mixed. Return to oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Bring steaming to the table with a bowl of parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.

serves 6

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Light Spinach Soup with Basil and Dill

Adapted from Molly Katzen's Vegetable Heaven

2 medium sized russet or other potatoes (about 1 lb), cut into cubes (peeling optional)
2 cups chopped onion
1 heaping teasponn minced garlic
5 cups water
1 1/2 tsp salt (or more if preferred)
1 tsp dry mustard
2 lbs fresh spinach cleaned and chopped (up to half can be chard)
1/2 cup fresh minced dill
A small handful of fresh basil leaves (optional, if available)
Freshly ground pepper to taste

OPTIONAL, for the top:
a little yogurt
mild praprika

1. Place the potatoes, onions, garlic, mustard and salt in a soup pot or dutch oven. Bring to a
boil and then cover and simmer very slowly for 20 minutes
2. Use a food processor or blender to puree the soup with all its solids, adding the spinach and fresh herbs along the way
3. Return soup to pot and cook very slowly. Add black pepper to taste. Serve hot with a bit of yogurt and dusting of paprika if desired.

Time: 50 minutes (about half of that is active)
Don't substitute dried herbs for fresh, it just wont taste the same
This soup freezes well if kept in an airtight container

Parsley Dressing

Use as topping on hot pasta, grilled salmon, or streamed veggies

1 1/2 cups fresh parsley leaves, packed
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small shallot, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
6 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend to create a smooth sauce. Allow to sit several hours before serving so the flavors have time to blend. Best used when fresh, but will keep for 5-6 days in fridge.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Spinach Catalan Style

2 lbs spinach, stems removed, leaves blanched
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large garlic clove, sliced
1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
1/3 cup pine nuts
salt and freshly ground pepper

Coarsely chop the cooked spinach. Warm the oil with the garlic in a wide skillet over medium heat. When the garlic is golden, remove it. Add the raisins and pine nuts and cook until all the raisins are plumped and golden brown. Add greens and cook until they are heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Kaitlin's Easy Pie Crust

Kaitlin's favorite thing to make are fresh fruit pies! This pie recipe can be used for sweet or savory pies! This recipe makes 1 double-crusted pie.

2/3 cup butter
2 cups flour
7 tbsp cold water

Pour flour into large mixing bowl. Cut butter into 1 tbsp slices. Drop them into the flour and mix with a pastry mixer (a fork works well too!), and continue to mix until dough and flour combine into soft, pea sized balls. Slowly add water and mix with fork or pastry cutter until all dough sticks together. (you can continue to add additional water if necessary) Form into balls and chill, covered, in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Spinachio Pie

1 pie crust dough (search out blog for a great homemade one!)
3 eggs
1 1/2 lbs fresh spinach
8oz cream cheese or ricotta
salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup cheddar or parmesan cheese, or a mixture

Pre-heat oven to 400. Roll out pastry and use it to line a greased 8inch pie dish. Prick the base all over with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes. While the pastry is baking separate one of the egs and whisl the white with a fork. Take the pastry out of the oven. Pour the whisked egg white into the base, swish it around until its covered, put any extra back in the bowl/, then pop the pastry back into the oven for a few minutes to set the egg white. This will stop the pastry from going soggy when you put in the filing. For the filling. For the filling chop spinach roughly and remove coarse stems. Wash it thoroughly, place in a saucepan with a lid (don't add any extra water!), and steam the spinach for 5 minutes. Press steamed spinach against steamer or colander to remove excess liquid. Beat the soft cheese into the remaining eggs and the yolf from the third. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, the spinach, and half the hard cheese. Pour into pastry shell. Sprinkle the remaining hard cheese over the top. Bake the 30 minutes or until set.

Cheese Tortellini with Garlic and Spinach

8oz cheese tortellini
1/3- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 pound spinach, torn or coarsely chopped, washed and drained
4 cloves garlic minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Place nuts, spinach, garlic, and oil in a large serving bowl. Set aside. Cook totellini according to the directions. Drain and transfer to the bowl. Toss, and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.

Sausage, Greens and Semolina Pizza

2 leeks
3 cloves garlic
2 bunches greens (mustard, chard, kales)
4 sausages (sweet Italian, spicy or hot)
6 to 7 tbsp olive oil
Semolina linguine for 4
salt and pepper
Pitted black olives
Crushed red pepper flakes
Parmesan

Wash and thinly slice the leels, peel and chop the garlic. Remove any large stems from the greens, cut the leaves crosswise into a chiffonade, and wash and dry them. Slice the sausages. Cook the leeks, garlic and sausage in about 5 tablespoons olive oil for 10 minutes or so. Add the greens and continue cooking for 5 minutes or more, until they are soft and wilted. The addition of a little water or stock wil lhelp to steam them. Moisten the misture with another tablespoon or two of olive oil. Cook the pasta and add it to the pan. Toss all together and taste for seasoning. Serve garnished with a generous spinkling of pitted black olives and a litttle crushed red pepper if you like it spicy. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese at the table.

Sausage and Bean Soup

Another favorite recipe found at epicurious.com

1 tbsp olive oil
6 oz kielbasa of linguica sausage, cut into thin rounds
1 medium onion, chopped
2 3/4 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 large bunch kale, stems cut away, leaves thinly sliced
1 15oz can small white beans, drained
3/4 cup dry white wine

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage and onion; saute until onion is tender, about 6 minutes. Add broth and kale, bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Add beans and wine. Cook until kale is tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 2 servings, easily doubled.

Frittata with Mustard Greens and Fontina

This has long been a favorite way to eat mustard greens, from epicurious.com

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small bunch mustard greens, stems trimmed, leaves cut into half inch strips
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
4 large eggs, beaten to blend
1 1/2 cups diced fontina cheese

Preheat broiler. Heat oil in medium broiler proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add greens, stir until wilted and tender, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Pour eggs over greens, stir to blend. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover skillet; cook until fritatta is almost set but top is still runny, about two minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Place skillet under broiler. Broil until top is set and cheese bubbles, about 1 minute. Cut around frittata to loosen. Slide out onto a plate. Serves 2.

Lentil Potato Salad with Sorrel

From the Rolling Prairie Cookbook by Nancy O'Connor

I cup dry lentils
1 bay leaf
1 small onion, finely chopped
3/4 tsp salt
1 lb small potatoes
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup kalamata olives, sliced
1/2 cup feat cheese, crumbled
1 cup finely shredded sorrel leaves
freshly ground pepper

Dressing:
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tbsp dijon mustard

Place the lentils, bay leaf, onion and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium sauce pan and cover with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until the lentils are just tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain, removing the bay leaf. While the lentils are cooking, boil unpeeled potatoes until just tender. Drain and cut into 1inch cubes. When the lentils and potatoes are cooled to room temperature, carefully toss together with salt and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Whisk remaining salt and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss to dress evenly. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Serves 8.

Penne with Mushrooms and Fresh Sorrel

From The Good Herb by J. Benn Hurley

1 tbsp olive oil
12oz mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, mashed through a press
1 medium onion, sliced
1 small chili pepper
1 cup chopped tomatoes
6 cups hot cooked penne or other pasta, about 3/4 pund dried
1/3 cup minced sorrel leaves

Heat a large sute pan over medium high hear, then pour in the oil. Add the mushrooms, garlic, onion and hot pepper and saute for about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until saucy and fragrant, about 7 minutes more. In a large bowl toss the penne with the sauce and sorrel. Serve warm.

Cabbage Slaw with Spicy Greens

3 or 4 handfuls arugula, garden cress or red mustard greens
1 1/2 lbs green cabbage, very thinly sliced
1 small white onion or a bunch of scallions
3 tbsp chopped parsley
salt
vinegar and oil dressing

Chop greens into ribbons and put them in a bowl with the cabbage, onion and parsely. Toss with salt. Add herb vinaigrette and toss again. Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Best Winter Veg Coleslaw

from Jamie at Home, or Cook Your Way to the Good Life, a great book with 'how to' garden tips as well a recipes.

2 carrots
1 bulb fennel
1 golden beet, and/or turnip or rutabaga
1 small celeriac, or try the sun choke here
3/4lb red or green cabbage
1/2 red onion
1 shallot
1 lemon
Olive oil
Handful of fresh herbs maybe chives or chervil in the winter
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Peel root vegetables or scrub well. Shred the carrots, fennel and your choice of 2 of the other root veggies (small portion of large root probably). Put veggies into a mixing bowl. Slice the cabbage, onion and shallot as finely as you can and add to the bowl. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a glug of olive oil, the chopped herbs, yogurt and mustard. Pour this dressing over veggies and mix well to coat everything. Season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.

Curried Spinach Soup

From Bon Appetit

1 tbsp olive oil
2 large leeks (white and green parts only) chopped (can substitute 3/4 cup chopped onion)
1 tbsp plu 2 1/2 cups water
2 tsp curry powder
2 small white potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 tsp salt
4 cups packed fresh spinach
2 cups low fat milk

1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and 1 tbsp water; saute until leeks are tender (about 5 minutes). Add curry powder and stir 30 seconds. Add remaining 2 1/2 cups water, potatoes and salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat, and simmer covered until potatoes are tender (about 10 minutes). Stir in spinach; simmer until just wilted, about 1 minute. Cool slightly.

Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until almost smooth. Return soup to same saucepan. Add milk and bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle soup into four bowls. Whisk yogurt until smooth. Swirl 2 tbsp yogurt into each bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Serves four.

Green Horseradish Sauce

Another great sauce from epicurious!

1/3 fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 cup chopped arugula leaves
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves (finely chopped)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
6tbsp drained prepared white horseradish
2 1/2 tbsp (or more) dry white wine
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Place spinach, parsley and arugula. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add more wine by the tablespoon to thin to desired consistancy. Season with salt and pepper.

This can be made 1 day ahead and be kept, covered, in the fridge.

Cilantro Sauce

Great on seafood! From epicurious.com

2 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 shallots, minced
1/2 cup whipping cream

4 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 cup chilled unslated butter, sliced into 8 pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Boil wine vinegar and shallots in heavy medium saucepan until liquid in reduced until, about 18 minutes. Add cream and boil until sauce coats spoon, about 3 minutes. Bring sauce to simmer, remove from heat. Add butter one piece at a time, whisking until just melted. Add cilantro, blend until cilantro is just minced, about 10 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Makes about 6 servings.

Sauce can keep (covered) 1 day in fridge

Spinach salad with Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette

From epicurious. Great for our abundance of spinach and those first beautiful strawberries of spring.

For the marinated apples:
1 cup sliced apples (about 1 apple)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

For strawberry champagne vinaigrette:
1/2 cup sliced hulled strawberries
2 tbsp champagne vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
pinch salt

For serving:
4 cups organic spinach leaves (4oz)
4 tbsp crumbled plain goat cheese (2oz)
4 tbsp dried cranberries
4 tsp chopped roasted walnuts

Make Marinated Apples:
In small bowl combine apples slices and apple cider vinegar and marinate, covered, for at least two and up to six hours

Make Champagne Vinaigrette:
Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.

To serve:
In a medium bowl toss spinach with vinaigrette. Mound 1 cup dressed spinach on plate. With a fork or slotted spoon, lift apples from marinade and scatter 1/4 cup over each plate of spinach. Top each salad with 1 tbsp cheese, 1 tbsp cranberries and 1 tsp walnuts.

Serves 4

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Stinging Nettle Pesto

from Langdon Cook's excellent blog about foraging food in the Northwest, Fat of the Land

2 cups stinging nettles, blanched chopped (figure 6 cups raw)
1/2 cup parmesan
1/2 cup pine nuts roasted
4-5 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

1. Blanche nettles for 1 minute in boiling water to remove stingers, remove to a salas spinner and shake off excess water, then ball up and give them a good squeeze to wring them out.
2. Put in food processor along with other ingredients and half the olive oil. Mix and then add the rest of the olive oil. Continue mixing until it is at desired consistancy. Add more olive oil if you prefer a more spreadable pesto.

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

from Moosewood Restaurant's Low-Fat Cookbook

1 cup finely chopped onions
2/3 cup finely chopped leeks
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups vegetable stock
4 cups coarsely chopped potatoes
1/4 tsp ground fennel
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 tbsp white wine
1/2 tsp dried dill
2 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp minced scallions
1 1/2 tbsp minced fresh basil
1/2 cup evaporated skimmed milk
4 cups loosely packed shredded kale
salt and ground pepper to taste
squeeze of fresh lemon juice (optional)

1. In a 3 or 4 quart covered soup pot, saute onions, leeks, and salt in the oil on very low heat for about 7 minutes until tender. Add the stock and bring it to a boil. Add the potatoes, fennel, celery, wine and dill. Simmer for about 20 minutes, covered, until potatoes are tender.
2. In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and stir in the mustard, scallions, basil and evaporated skimmed milk.
3. In a seperate pot, gently boil the kale in just enough water to cover, When the kale is just tender, drain it and stir into the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste and lemon juice, if desired. Carefully reheat the soup until it is very hot but not boiling.

Kaitlin's Savory Leek Tart

One of our new summer employees, Kaitlin, created this recipe to use up the leeks she had stored in her fridge.

1 prepared tart crust
1/2 goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 feta for topping
4 cups sliced leeks (about 4-5 large leeks)
2 cups sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup cream
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in large skillet. Add sliced leeks. Saute for about 10 minutes or so until leeks are softt. Add vinegar, mushrooms and cream mixing well. Reduce heat and cover. Cook about 5 minutes or until cream in absorbed. Meanwhile spread cumbled goat cheese evenly over tart crust. Pour leek and mushrrom mixture into tart, spreading evenly. Sprinkle feta and breadcrumbs over the top and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until it looks a little crispy.

Basic Wheat Berries

To cook wheat berries:

Combine 2 cups wheat berries, 6 cups water and 1 tsp salt in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil, lower the heat, and simmer covered until plump and chewy (and a few of the berries have split open), about an hour or so. The berries will stay al dente, and the only way to be sure they are done is to taste a few. Drain and set aside. Will keep in fridge for several days or freeze. Makes about 3 cups cooked wheatberries.

Wheat berries can be used as a substitute in many recipes that call for brown rice or pasta

Arugula Pesto Wheat Berry

From Heidi Swanson. She says that this is a great salad but to make more of a meak out of it she added Sweet Earth brand seitan or cubes of cooked potatoes could be added too.

3 cups cooked wheat berries
3 medium garlic cloves
2/3 cups pine nuts or sliced almonds (local hazelnuts!?)
3 cups loosely packed arugual leaves
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 big pinches salt
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup black Kalamata olives, chopped
4-6 ounces seitan (optional), chopped and pan fried into crispy bits in a bit of oil
A bit of shaved parmesan as a garnish

1. Place wheat berries in a large mixing bowl and set aside so they can come to room tempurature.
2. Make arugual pesto by combining the garlic, 1/2 cup of the pine nuts, most of the arugula, parmesan, salt and lemon juice in the food processor. Pulse a few times, then begin to drizzle the olive oil into the mixture while continuing to pulse until pesto is smooth. Taste, adjust if needed with more salt or lemon juice.
3. Pour half of pesto over the wheat berries, add the seitan if you are using it, the rest of the arugula, and 1/4 to 1/2 cup hot water. Toss everything until wellpcoated. Add more pesto a bit at a time until the wheat berries are dressed to your liking- I actually go a bit on the heavy side with this particular combo. Arrange on a platter and top with the olives, remaining pine nuts and a bit of shaved parmesan.

Serves: 6 or so as a side, less as a main dish