BBQ Favorites on the 4th
NOF Update: What’s coming July 5-7, 2011
The Share for July 5, 6, and 7, 2011
A note about the cherries in the fruit share. They are grown using a method called IPM–Integrated Pest Management. This means that they look for bugs and, if there is a serious infestation, they will spray. They do not spray as a matter of course.
The Vegetable Share: Greens–choice of: Arugula, Mizuna, Komatsuna, Dandelion, Choi, Collards; Herbs–choice of: Dill, Cilantro, Basil, Saltwort, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano; Head Lettuces; Scallions.
The Fruit Share: Sweet White and/or Black Cherries; Black Raspberries.
Recipes: Chilled Arugula Soup; Arugula Dill Salad; Braised Choi with Tomatoes and Cheese; Poached Egg Soup with Scallions and Herbs; Herbal ‘Goddess’ Dressing; Bulgur Salad with Cherries.
Enjoy!
Irish Mushy Peas, Please! – Recipe
I visited Ireland in 2007 and had an opportunity to try real Irish mushy peas for the first time. Ever since, I joke with my Irish friends, Laurence and Barbara that the thing I miss most about Ireland is the mushy peas. This week’s share included lots and lots of snap peas, so I decided to try the recipe that Native Offerings Farm suggested on their recipe blog. I don’t know very many people who like mushy peas, so I got to eat them all by myself, and they were GREAT!!!
2 c shelled peas
1/4 c heavy cream, or half-and-half, or sour cream, or yogurt…., plus extra if needed
1 T butter, softened, or vegetable oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1. Bring a pot of water to the boil. Add peas and cook for about 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander.
2. Transfer peas to a food processor or blender. Add remaining ingredients and whizz until puréed–the consistency can be chunky or smooth, your call. Add more cream if needed or desired. You can also just put the cooked peas and remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mash (mush?) them with a potato masher (musher?).
Note from My CSA Adventure: I tried the potato musher. No good. A blender is fine.
NOF Update: What’s coming June 28-30
The Share for June 28, 29, and 30, 2011
The recent heavy rains have destroyed most of the remaining strawberry crop of the farm that supplies our strawberries. We will still be getting strawberries, but the fruit share will be smaller. Sorry–this is part of what a CSA is about: We share in the abundance, we share in the lack.
Another rain note–the rain causes the soil to splash up onto the lettuces and greens, and though we try to wash everything as thoroughly as possible, total soil removal is impossible, so be sure to wash your lettuces and greens well!
The Vegetable Share: Pod Peas (for shelling); Snap Peas (edible pods), [hopefully]; Greens–Arugula, Vitamin Greens, Komatsuna; Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Dandelion; Head Lettuces; Scallions; Radishes with their Greens.
The Fruit Share: Strawberries.
The Recipes: Mustard Greens, Miso, and Butter “Pesto”; Yogurt Salad Dressing; Mushy Peas; Snap Peas with Scallions and Lettuce; Strawberry and Radish Salad, Strawberry Sorbet (Sherbet) with Chocolate Shortbread.
Enjoy!
Wedge Salad: Recipe
The Wedge Salad is an all time favorite when I eat out and I’ve tried various versions of it in all corners of the US. This is a very easy recipe I found online. What a great way to dress up boring old iceberg lettuce!
Ingredients
1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into quarters
Blue cheese dressing
1 tomato, minced
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Directions
On each salad plate, place 1 wedge of lettuce turned on its side. Pour blue cheese dressing on wedge. Sprinkle with tomatoes, green onions, crumbled blue cheese, and crumbled bacon.