Blistered Beans & Tomatoes

Recipe & Pic from Dishing Up The Dirt

This simple but flavorful recipe is a great side dish but you could also toss the beans and tomatoes with pasta, a bit of pesto, and a dollop of ricotta cheese for a rich and filling entrée!

1/4 cup butter or cooking fat of choice

1 lb green beans, trimmed

fat pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (or chopped slicers)

4 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (optional)

2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Heat 2 Tablespoons of the butter in a large cast iron pan over medium-high until melted. Add the green beans (you may need to do this in batches) and cook, covering the pan as needed if the butter is spattering until browned underneath. About 3 minutes. Using tongs flip the beans and brown on the other side for a few more minutes. Continue to cook and turn beans until they are lightly blistered on all sides. Remove the beans to a plate and set aside.

Add the remaining butter to the pan and toss in the tomatoes. Cook, undisturbed for about 2 minutes or until they blister up a bit on the bottom. Toss the tomatoes and cook for one more minute. Add the garlic and jalapeño and continue to cook, tossing every so often until the garlic is browned, the pepper is softened and the tomatoes are blistered.

Add the green beans back to the pan and drizzle in the soy sauce. Toss everything together and throw in the parsley. Taste for seasonings and adjust if needed.

Tomato Toast With Scallion Cream Cheese

Recipe & Pic from Edible Madison

A 10-min breakfast, a light lunch? This recipe is perfect for either (or pair with soup for a heartier meal). Try sprinkling some of your radish microgreens on top for extra flavor and visual-appeal!

4 ounces cream cheese or other spreadable fresh cheese, softened

1/2 bunch scallions, sliced

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

2 teaspoons minced onion flakes

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 slices sourdough toast

1 slicer tomato, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (or a handful of cherry tomatoes sliced or cut in half)

Combine cream cheese and scallions in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.

In a very small bowl (or prep bowl), combine sesame seeds, onion flakes, salt, red pepper flakes, and pepper.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on pieces of toast. Add a thick slice of tomato. Sprinkle with spice mixture.

Lentils With Roasted Eggplant & Tomatoes

Recipe & Pic From Vanilla & Bean

1 eggplant

1 Cup French Lentils or Puy

3 1/4 C Water

20 oz Cherry Tomatos (or slicers cut into chunks)

1 Bayleaf

2 Tbs Olive Oil extra virgin + more for drizzling if desired

2 1/2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice about 1/2 a lemon + more for serving

3 Plump Cloves of Garlic crushed and minced

1/2 tsp Dried Oregano

1/4 + 1/8 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

3/4 - 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt

3 Tbs Fresh Chopped Parsley

1/2 C (155g) Greek Yogurt or coconut cream for serving

Fresh Ground Pepper

Preheat oven to 475F (248C). Using the tines of a fork, prick eggplant about eight times all around. Set the eggplant on an unlined sheet pan and roast on the highest rack for about one hour or until the eggplant is soft and slightly chard. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile arrange the cherry tomatoes (or slicer chunks) on a parchment lined sheet pan. During the last 12-13 minutes of eggplant roasting, place the tomatoes on the lower oven rack and roast until the tomatoes are burst and slightly charred. About 13 minutes.

While the eggplant is roasting, add the lentils to a medium sauce pot. Pour in the water and add a bayleaf with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil then turn the heat to low, simmering for about 25-30 minutes. The lentils should be tender, not mushy, and there should be a few tablespoons of liquid left. Remove the bayleaf, lid, remove from heat and set aside.

Once cool enough to handle, slice the eggplant open and scrape out the flesh. Spoon the flesh and any roasting juices into the pot of lentils along with the roasted tomatoes and all their juices.

To the pot of lentils and veggies add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes, sea salt and parsley. Stir. Heat on low for just a few minutes to warm through. Add a few twists of fresh ground pepper. Stir and taste for salt adjustment.

Spoon into serving bowls and share with yogurt or coconut cream, ground pepper, fresh parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

Store in lidded containers in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to two weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and gently rewarm on the stovetop.

Caprese Sandwich

Recipe & Pic from Cookie & Kate

Why settle for a Caprese Salad when you can turn it into a sandwich? Pair with a side salad and you have the perfect lunch or dinner for a hot day.

1 baguette (16 ounces)

1 tablespoon thick balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze*

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 mozzarella ball (8 ounces)

2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds

Lettuce

Flaky sea salt or kosher salt

1 small or ½ medium clove garlic, roughly chopped

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup (1 ounce) lightly packed fresh basil

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Lots of freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the bread in half lengthwise, then stack it back together and slice it down the middle to form two large sandwiches, or again to make 4 small. Place the sliced bread on a baking sheet with the cut sides facing up. Bake for 5 minutes, or until warmed through and turning lightly golden around the edges.

In the meantime, prepare the creamy basil sauce*: In a food processor, blitz the roughly chopped garlic to chop it more finely. Scrape down the sides, then add the mayo, basil, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth, then set aside.

To assemble the sandwiches, lightly drizzle balsamic and olive oil over half of the cut sides of bread. Layer some arugula on top, then weigh it down with rounds of mozzarella. Top with the sliced tomato, then sprinkle the tomato lightly with flaky salt.

Spread the basil sauce generously over the cut side of the remaining slices of bread. Place them face down over the tomatoes. Enjoy.

Chicken Shawarma Tabbouleh Salad

Recipe & Pic from Jo Cooks

Another hot-weather entrée salad that will help keep you cool this week!

Chicken

2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoon pepper or to taste

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/4 cup lemon juice from about 2 lemons

1/2 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

4 cloves garlic minced

1 pound chicken breasts boneless and skinless

1 large onion sliced

Tabbouleh Salad

2 cups water

1 cup bulgur wheat uncooked

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice (from 1 or 2 lemons, depends on size)

3 cups tomatoes chopped small

1 cucumber chopped small

1/4 cup green onions chopped (use your Tropea onions!)

2 cups fresh parsley chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste

Other Optional Ingredients

1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled

1/2 cup Kalamata olives

pita bread

hummus

1 avocado sliced

In a 8×8 baking dish add the smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, and whisk well. Add the chicken, sliced onion and toss making sure the chicken is well coated in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least an hour. The longer the meat marinates the more flavor you’ll have.

Preheat the oven to 425 F degrees.

Bake uncovered until the chicken is browned and crisp on the edges, and cooked through. It should take about 40 to 45 minutes. If you want the chicken crispier on top, turn the broiler on to high and broil for 3 minutes until nice and crispy on the outside.

Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Tabbouleh Salad

While the chicken is baking, prepare the tabbouleh salad. Add the water to a small pot and bring to boil. When the water is boiling add the bulgur and cover. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Stir occasionally. Let the bulgur cool before adding to the salad.

Add the bulgur to a large bowl, then add the remaining ingredients. Toss well.

To assemble the salad, spread the tabbouleh salad over the bottom of a large shallow plate. Arrange with sliced chicken, sliced avocado, Kalamata olives and sprinkle some feta cheese over the top. Serve with hummus and pita bread.

Nicoise Salad

Recipe & Pic from Love & Lemons

Entrée salads are perfect for hot days- so fresh, so filling! This French Classic is also a great way to use up many of the veggies in your box this week at once!

8 ounces small yellow or red potatoes

4 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed

¾ cooked white beans, drained and rinsed

3 hard boiled eggs, halved

4 artichoke hearts, drained and halved

1 cup quartered radishes and/or sliced cucumber

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

½ cup Niçoise or Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

2 tablespoons capers, drained

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

Freshly ground black pepper

Lemon Vinaigrette

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 small garlic clove, grated

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, optional

1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme, optional

Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and when cool enough to handle, slice in half or quarters.

Refill the pot with water, bring it to a boil, and set a bowl of ice water nearby. Drop the green beans into the boiling water and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately immerse in the ice water. After 1 minute, drain and place on a kitchen towel to dry.

Assemble salad with the potatoes, green beans, white beans, eggs, artichokes, radishes, tomatoes, olives, and capers. Drizzle generously with the lemon vinaigrette. Sprinkle with parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe: Pickled Green Tomatoes

2021 Week 20 Newsletter

Recipe Adapted From Love & Lemons

This recipe is the closest I have ever come to the incredible pickled green tomatoes that I used to buy at City Feed when I lived in Boston, MA. You can of course forgo the bourbon, but I recommend giving it try. The pickles are fantastic in sandwiches (especially grilled cheese!), diced and tossed with eggs, or just eaten as a snack!

~Rae

1 pound green tomatoes

1 garlic clove, sliced

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

½ tablespoon whole black peppercorns

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 ½ tablespoons bourbon

Slice tomatoes, either into 1/4-inch thick slices, or halved and cut into 8-10 wedges. Divide tomatoes among jars, packing the tomatoes tightly in each jar. Place a few slices of garlic in each jar.

In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar, peppercorns, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add bourbon.

Pour brine over pickles, filling jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Make sure all of the tomatoes are fully submerged. If they start to ‘float’, wedge a few more tomato pieces in there to keep them firmly packed.

Screw on jar lids and refrigerate for at least 3 days to allow pickles to fully pickle, and after that pickles will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe: Scrambled Eggs With Peppers & Tomatoes

2021 Week 18 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Umami Girl

Delicious for breakfast for for dinner! Pair with toast or roasted potatoes and add in a healthy pinch of cumin and smoked paprika. If you don't have cotija cheese, some crumbled feta or a healthy dollop of sour cream would do just as nicely.

1 tablespoon olive oil

Several sweet or spicy peppers

1 medium onion, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 eggs

½ cup crumbled cotija cheese

⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Cholula or other hot sauce, to taste

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a 10-inch nonstick skillet. Add peppers and onions along with a good pinch of salt. Cook for a few minutes, until softened to your liking. Meanwhile, scramble the eggs in a medium bowl.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour eggs into the skillet and cook, pulling to the center with a silicone spatula as the set underneath, until just cooked through. Divide between two plates and top with cheese, cilantro, hot sauce to taste as well as more salt if you like and some freshly ground black pepper.

Recipe: Som Tam Salad With Joi Choi

2021 Week 18 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Cheap & Cheerful Cooking

Som Tam Salad is traditionally made with Green Papaya but many other veggies can be subbed in with delicious results- the original riff on this recipe included Kohlrabi but here we suggest using the Joi Choi from your box! Consider throwing in some steamed broccoli as well, the dressing works well with just about anything.

~Rae

1 head Joi Choi

1 carrot

3 cloves garlic

1-2 bird's eye chillies (or sub jalepeno to taste!)

1 heaped tbsp peanuts, roasted

½ pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
String Beans (like the yellow beans in your box!)

Dressing (a staple in Alice's house)

3 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar

1 pinch salt

Blanch beans in boiling salted water for 2min, then chill and cut into pieces. Slice the carrot into thin strips and Joi Choi into crunch ½-1 inch strips, greens & stems. Place garlic, chilies, salt, and sugar in a mortar and crush finely. Add peanuts and crush roughly. Add lime juice, soy sauce, and tomatoes. Mix everything and squeeze tomatoes lightly. Add dressing and serve with sticky rice.

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette

2021 Week 17 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Tasting Table

Looking for a way to get another taste of those summer salads you have been enjoying all season long? Give this punchy dressing a try while tomatoes are still popping! 

About 1 lb tomatoes, cut into pieces OR 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon finely minced shallots

½ teaspoon finely grated garlic

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Preheat the oven to 400º. On a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, toss ½ of the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Roast until the skins begin to blister, 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the shallots, garlic and vinegar. Season with salt and let sit for 15 minutes.

Transfer the remaining half of tomatoes to a food processor along with the macerated shallot mixture and lemon zest. Season with salt and pulse until smooth. Transfer the vinaigrette to a bowl and stir in the roasted tomatoes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Recipe: Easy Salsa Fresca

2021 Week 15 Newsletter

Fresh, comes together in just a few minutes, and tasty on just about anything- this simple salsa screams SUMMER! Serve with tortilla chips, dollop on eggs, or use as a topping for quesadillas, enchiladas, or tacos.  

½ small sweet onion

3 cloves garlic

1 pint cherry tomatoes, or 1-2 heirloom tomatoes cut into chunks

½ cup cilantro leaves packed

1 lime juiced

1 jalapeno, de-seeded (unless you want more heat!)

salt to taste

Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeon in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped.

Add the tomatoes and cilantro, and pulse until you reach the desired consistency.

If there is a lot of excess liquid, drain some out. Add the lime juice and salt, and stir. 

Recipe: Kale With Garlic Tomatoes

2021 Week 13 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from A Family Feast

This simple Italian dish is PACKED with flavor! It makes a wonderful side dish but could also be stretched into a meal if paired with your favorite cooked grain and/or protein. 

1 bunch of Kale

4 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil

5 large cloves fresh garlic, peeled but left whole

1 pint cherry tomatoes or 1 large heirloom tomato, chopped

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

To clean the kale grabb the leaves with your fingers on the thick end of each stem and pull down, ripping all of the leaves from the stem. Once you get the hang of this, you can go pretty fast removing the leaves. Discard stems. Lay the leaves out and cut across the grain then a few slices down the center to yield bite-sized pieces. Place in a salad spinner and rinse thoroughly, then spin to remove most of the water. Some water still clinging to leaves is fine and helps in cooking.

In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot then lower flame to medium low and add the garlic. Cook the garlic for about five minutes until golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside, flipping to cook all sides.

Add the tomatoes and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes until they blister and start to burst. Use the back of a wooden spoon and flatten and break up the garlic, as well and crushing about half of the tomatoes.

Add the kale and toss, then cook for five minutes covered. Remove the cover and cook for up to five more minutes until tender and any liquid has evaporated.

Sprinkle on the vinegar, toss then serve immediately.

Recipe: Tuscan Ribollita Soup

2021 Week 12 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from The Original Dish

I don't want to suggest that we're anywhere near Soup Season (otherwise known as Fall), perish the thought! But since the evenings have been a bit chilly recently I thought I'd share a recipe for a delicious soup that will incorporate several of the veggies in your box this week! 

~Rae

¼ olive oil, plus more as needed

1 medium onion, diced

4 medium carrots, peeled + diced

2 celery stalks, diced

4 garlic cloves, very thinly shaved or minced

kosher salt

freshly cracked black pepper

2 tbsp tomato paste

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup red wine

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes (or the equivalent amount of chopped fresh tomato)

1 qt chicken stock

1 parmesan rind

½ lb fresh, crusty whole grain bread, torn into ½” pieces

1 large bunch swiss chard, stemmed + roughly chopped

1 (15 oz) can butter beans, rinsed + drained

garnishes: red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, freshly grated parmesan cheese

Heat a large, heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Let sauté for about 8 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the garlic and let cook for another minute or so.

Stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Let cook and caramelize for about 2 minutes. Pour in the red wine. Simmer for another 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, and parmesan rind.

Bring the soup to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the soup for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat the bottom with a generous amount of olive oil. Add the torn bread and toast until golden and crispy, stirring often. Season with a pinch of salt.

Stir the swiss chard and butter beans into the soup and heat through. When you’re ready to serve, stir in the bread. Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve the soup with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a good amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese, and parsley over top.

Recipe: Black Beans & Rice With Roasted Peppers & Garlic

2021 Week 12 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from The First Mess

This is another one of those great cheap and easy flex dishes that can be instantly changed up depending on what toppings/garnishes you are feeling! Try some sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream and scoop it up with tortilla chips or spoon it into taco shells. Throw a fried egg on top for some extra protein and include a side salad with a creamy dressing- beans and rice don't have to be boring! 

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1-2 sweet peppers of choice

1 fresh jalapeno

½ medium white onion, sliced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or 1 cup chopped

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1 tablespoon avocado oil

sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed thoroughly

1 15½ oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

½ teaspoon soy sauce

2 ¼ cups filtered water

juice of 1 lime

handful chopped cilantro

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small-medium soup pot or medium braiser-style pot, dry toast the cumin and coriander over medium heat until fragrant. Transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder and grind until spices are powdered. Set aside.

Remove the stems and seeds from the sweet peppers and jalapeno. Cut the peppers into rustic, 2-inch-ish pieces and place them on the baking sheet.

Place the sliced onions, tomatoes, and garlic cloves on the baking sheet as well. Toss the vegetables with the ground cumin and coriander, avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Slide the vegetables into the oven and roast for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned and uniformly soft.

Let the vegetables cool slightly before transferring to a blender or food processor. Pulse the mixture a few times until you have a chunky paste. You’re just trying to avoid large pieces of garlic and chili. Scrape this mixture into the soup pot from earlier.

Add the rice, beans, tomato paste, soy sauce, and water to the pot. Set the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover. Cook the rice and beans for 40 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Check the pot and stir every 10-15 minutes or so. Add more water if necessary.

Take the pot off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Then, remove the lid and stir in the lime juice, cilantro, and a good pinch of salt. Serve the black beans and rice hot.

Recipe: Blistered Green Beans & Tomatoes

From 2021 Week 11 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Dishing Up The Dirt

When most of us were growing up, charred bits on your food meant you had overcooked things and dinner was ruined, but we have since learned to love the slightly bitter, slightly smoky flavor of blistered veggies. This is a great way to use your crisp beans, succulent tomatoes, and pungent garlic all in one dish- it's the epitome of summer abundance! 

1/4 cup butter or cooking fat of choice

1 lb green beans, trimmed

fat pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes

4 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup thinly sliced basil (optional)

Heat 2 Tablespoons of the butter in a large cast iron pan over medium-high until melted. Add the green beans (you may need to do this in batches) and cook, covering the pan as needed if the butter is spattering until browned underneath. About 3 minutes. Using tongs flip the beans and brown on the other side for a few more minutes. Continue to cook and turn beans until they are lightly blistered on all sides. Remove the beans to a plate and set aside. Add the remaining butter to the pan and toss in the tomatoes. Cook, undisturbed for about 2 minutes or until they blister up a bit on the bottom. Toss the tomatoes and cook for one more minute. Add the garlic and jalapeño and continue to cook, tossing every so often until the garlic is browned, the pepper is softened and the tomatoes are blistered. Add the green beans back to the pan and drizzle in the soy sauce. Toss everything together and throw in the basil. Taste for seasonings and adjust if needed.

Recipe: BLTS Sandwich

From 2021 Week 11 Newsletter

Yep, you read that right- BLTS: Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato-Shishito! When heirloom tomato season comes around my family clamors for BLT sandwiches- last year I included some blistered shishitos on a whim and I've never gone back! The smoky/sweet taste of the peppers is the perfect compliment to the juicy tomatoes and crisp salty bacon. If you're not a mayo fan, try adding on some sliced or coarsely mashed avocado and if you have any sweet onions leftover from a previous box those would taste great as well! 

~Rae

(Makes 2 sandwiches)

4 slices of good thick crusty bread

Mayo (or avocado) to taste

4-6 slices of bacon, cooked until just crisp

2-4 leaves of lettuce

1 pint shishito peppers (you'll only need a few for each sandwich but will want to snack on the rest!)

1-2 Heirloom tomatoes, thickly sliced and sprinkled with salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle peppers in the oil, and toss until they are evenly coated. Preheat a thick-bottomed or cast iron skillet over medium heat until it’s hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates quickly on contact. Add the peppers and let them cook, stirring every minute or so (not too often), until they are tender with charred spots, about 8 to 12 minutes. 

Lightly toast your bread, slather with mayo or avocado, and pile on the bacon, tomato, peppers, and lettuce. 

Find a good napkin, this sandwich will be juicy! 

Recipe: Chopped Caprese Salad

2021 Week 9 Newsletter

A Farm Favorite

his classic salad is so easy to make you can throw it together in your sleep, but there is just nothing to beat that rush of flavor that comes from combining tomatoes with basil, cheese, and a tangy dressing! Try serving it along with some crusty bread to help sop up the delicious juices.

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered, or 2 slicing tomatoes cut into hearty chunks

1 tbs balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

1 garlic clove, minced

8oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into ½in cubes and patted dry

2 tbs olive oil

1 handful of fresh basil, chopped

Toss all ingredients together in one bowl and let sit for 15-30min before serving to allow the flavors to combine (if you can even wait that long). 

Recipe: Tomato Zucchini Focaccia

from A Family Feast

5 cups bread flour plus up to 2 cups more

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 cups room temperature water

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more to mist over dough

1 pound zucchini, sliced thin using a mandoline

1 large or two medium eating tomatoes such as beefsteak, sliced thin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup oil cured Italian olives, pitted

1 cup Romano cheese, freshly grated

Herbed oil

1 ¼ cups extra virgin olive oil

½ cup fresh basil, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

½ teaspoon large grind black pepper

1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, place 5 cups of the flour along with salt and yeast and mix to combine.

Add all of the water and 6 tablespoons of the oil and mix on medium speed to form a sticky dough. After 3-4 minutes of mixing, the dough should be pulling away from the sides but still be stuck to the bottom. If the dough is still sticking to the sides, add a little more flour until just the bottom sticks. Mix for a total of four more minutes on medium.

Pour out a cup of bread flour onto your counter and spread out to about a 6×6-inch square and using a bowl scraper, scrape the dough into the center of the flour.

Shape the dough by stretching into a small neat rectangle about 10×4. Does not have to be exact. Dust the top with flour and let this sit for five minutes.

Grab the left and right sides, stretch and fold towards the center making the same rectangle size only now three layers thick. Spray the top with olive oil from a mister, then dust with more bread flour. Cover with plastic and let sit 30 minutes.

Repeat the same method by stretching, folding, misting and dusting and again let rest covered 30 more minutes.

Repeat one last time but after you cover it, let it sit for 90 minutes.

During the time the dough rests, you will dry roast the vegetables and make the herbed oil.

Set oven to 250 degrees F.

Line three sheet pans with parchment and spray with pan spray.

Lay out the sliced zucchini on two pans and the tomato on the third, sprinkle with salt and bake for about an hour or so flipping the vegetables half way through. Bake until the slices are dried and slightly shriveled and just starting to brown. I rotated the three pans in my oven so each had a turn one each rack since the bottom rack cooked the quickest. Once done, cool, cover and refrigerate until next day.

To make the herbed oil, microwave the oil to 110 degrees F and add all of the other herbed oil ingredients. Set this aside.

Once the dough has rested the final 90 minutes, line a sheet tray with parchment paper and using a brush dipped into the herbed oil, brush the parchment paper liberally. (the herbs should have settled, let them stay that way and just dip the brush into the top oil)

Place the dough onto the oiled pan and press to fit the dough to the pan. Don’t worry about getting it into the corners. When it proofs the next day, it will fill up the pan.

Once the dough is pressed into the pan, use your finger tips to press dimples into the dough all over the top then spoon some of the herbed oil over the top (this time stir first and use the herbs). Cover with plastic and refrigerate for the next day and up to three days.

Three hours before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and lay out the tomato slices and zucchini slices all over the top to about a half inch from the edges. Pit the olives and flatten with your fingers and scatter over the top. Spread the rest of the herbed oil all over the top. It will seem like a lot but as the bread bakes, it absorbs the oil.

Cover with plastic and a dish towel and let sit on your counter for three hours.

15 minutes before the three hours is up, preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the pan in the oven on the center rack, lower the temperature to 450 degrees F and bake for 10 minutes.

Rotate pan 180 degrees and bake for 7-10 more minutes or until it is just starting to brown.

Sprinkle on the Romano cheese and bake for five more minutes or until golden brown then remove from the oven.

Immediately slide the now baked focaccia off of the pan and onto a cooling rack. If the parchment paper slides out with it, slip it out from beneath the bread and let the bread cool for at least 20 minutes.

Slide the bread from the cooling rack onto a cutting board and cut 4X4 (16 pieces) or if you want smaller pieces, cut four the short way and five the long way for 20 pieces.

Store leftover bread in the refrigerator.

Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad

Image from Love & Lemons

from Love & Lemons

2 Persian cucumbers

3 cups cherry tomatoes

6 to 8 ounces halloumi cheese

Extra-virgin olive oil

Scant ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion

Homemade Croutons (grilled option), from 2 large slices of bread

Greek Salad Dressing

⅓ cup fresh basil

Flaky sea salt, optional

Thinly slice the cucumbers, halve the tomatoes, and set aside.

Slice the halloumi into ½-inch thick planks. Rub both sides with olive oil and grill 2 to 3 minutes per side, until well-charred. Remove from the grill and slice the planks into cubes.

Assemble the salad with the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, halloumi, red onions, and croutons. Drizzle with the dressing and top with fresh basil. Season to taste with flaky sea salt, if desired.

Recipe: Princess Diana's Stuffed Peppers

From food.com

4 medium bell peppers

1⁄4 cup olive oil

FOR THE FILLING

1⁄2 cup chopped onion

1cup thinly sliced mushroom

1 zucchini, diced

1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano

salt & freshly ground black pepper

2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 cup rice, cooked al dente and cooled

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄chicken or 1/2 vegetable bouillon cube

4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped

1 tablespoon fresh basil, shredded

4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Pre heat oven to 350°F.

Cut the tops off the peppers and clean out the seeds and membranes. If the peppers won't stand up, cut a little piece off the bottom to level them. Place the peppers on a baking sheet and drizzle with the oil.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until they start to soften. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Pour the oil from the peppers into a frying pan and add the onions, mushrooms, zucchini and oregano. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste, and saute over high heat until they start to soften.

Add the tomatoes, rice, water and bouillon cube to the vegetables in the frying pan, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning. Fold in the bacon, basil and mozzarella cheese.

Divide the filling among the peppers. Sprinkle the Parmesan on top of the peppers.

Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the filling is hot.