Recipe: Carrot Ginger Dressing

From 2021 Week 11 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Cookie & Kate

After the better part of a summer spent eating salads it's time to mix things up with some creative dressings! This recipe is smooth, creamy, and would pair well with other recipes with Asian flavors (you might even consider trying it with your Joi Choi). The trick is to blend it REALLY WELL to avoid chunks!

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup rice vinegar

2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (about ⅔ cup)

2 tablespoons peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey

1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil

¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste

In a blender, combine all of the salad dressing ingredients as listed. Bend until completely smooth. Taste, and add additional salt if the dressing doesn’t make your eyes light up. If it’s too sour (it should have some zing to it), blend in a bit more honey.

Serve over greens and any other ingredients you’d like. Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 weeks.

Recipe: Linguini With Roasted Fennel

2021 Week 9 Newsletter

Recipe From Platings & Pairings

This recipe makes the most of fennel's delicate anise-flavored sweetness while also satisfying all of your cravings for something indulgently rich and creamy! You might also try tossing the pasta with a basil (or fennel frond) pesto.

10 Ounces Fresh Linguine

1 Fennel Bulb

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Butter

⅓ cup Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese

3 cloves Garlic (minced)

1 Lemon (zested and quartered)

¼ cup chopped basil

1 Shallot (minced)

¼ Cup Breadcrumbs

Salt and Pepper

Preheat the over to 450.

Slice fennel bulb into ½in strips, toss with olive oil and salt and pepper, and roast 18-20min, or until tender and golden. While the fennel roasts combine the ricotta with the juice of two lemon wedges and season with salt and pepper to taste. Melt butter in a large skillet and cook garlic and shallot until fragrant and browned. Add breadcrumbs and toast until browned. Transfer to a small bowl and wipe out the pan.

Combine lemon zest, juice from the remaining two lemon wedges, ½ cup water, and 2 tbs olive oil in the skillet- heat to boiling, stir to combine, and remove from heat.

Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Add fennel and cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is well coated in the sauce.

Remove from heat, toss with basil, and top with breadcrumbs and ricotta. 

Recipe: Breakfast Pizza With Scallions

2021 Week 9 Newsletter

Recipe From A Couple Cooks

If you've never put eggs on a pizza before this may seem a little crazy but trust me, you'll never go back! This is such a great flex recipe as well- smear some pesto on the dough before adding the eggs and cheese, throw some chopped tomatoes on top, or roasted fennel! Round the whole meal out with a caprese or green salad on the side (or piled on top!).

1 ball of your favorite pizza dough

4 green onions

¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese

2 eggs

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 475°F. OR preheat your pizza oven (here’s the pizza oven we use).

Prepare the toppings: Slice the green parts off of the scallions so they form long ribbons. In a small skillet, heat ½ tablespoon olive oil. Add the scallions and sauté until slightly tender, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

When the oven is ready, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you don’t have a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet. But a pizza peel is well worth the investment!) Stretch the dough into a circle; see How to Stretch Pizza Dough for instructions. Then gently place the dough onto the pizza peel.

Quickly assemble the pizza: Brush olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with kosher salt. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese, then the Pecorino cheese. Top with scallions. Carefully crack two eggs on top and sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt.

Bake the pizza: Transfer the pizza to the pizza stone using the pizza peel, and bake until the egg white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 7 minutes.

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: Lemon Cream Scones With Edible Flowers

Image from Sugar & Charm

2021 Week 8 Newsletter

Recipe from Sugar & Charm

Scones are such a lovely treat for breakfast (or a snack) and adding your edible flowers as decoration elevates a simple recipe to celebration-worthy levels! 

12 tbsp / 170 g unsalted butter, cold

3/4 cup / 174 g heavy cream

2 cups / 284 g unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/3 cup / 66 g granulated sugar

1 tbsp / 15 g baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp grated lemon zest

To finish:

2 tsp heavy cream

edible flowers or petals

Cut the butter into 3/4 inch cubes and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Whip the cream until soft peaks form when the beater is lifted; cover and place in the refrigerator.

Place a baking stone or large baking sheet on a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a second, smaller baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Add the chilled butter cubes and cut the butter in with a pastry blender, or rub in with your fingers, until the mixture resembles fine meal. Make a well in the center and add the whipped cream.

Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold in the whipped cream. Then knead the dough in the bowl until it just comes together.

Turn the dough onto a very lightly floured surface and knead about eight times, until it can be shaped into a smooth ball.

Cut the dough in half, and press each half into a rectangle of approximately 5 inches by 7 inches. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and freeze for 20 minutes.

Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut six rounds from each dough rectangle. Re-roll the scraps and place back in the freezer. Meanwhile, place the cut-out scones on the parchment lined baking sheet, and press an edible flower or a few petals into the top of each scone. Remove the remaining dough from the freezer, and cut out and decorate 3-4 more scones, placing them on the baking sheet. (If the baking sheet is full, you can place the remaining scones in the refrigerator and bake them later, after the first batch comes out of the oven.) Place the baking sheet in the freezer for five minutes.

Remove baking sheet from the freezer and brush the scones lightly with cream, being careful not to disturb the flowers.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the scones are just starting to brown. Remove from the baking sheet, and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Recipe: New Potatoes With Butter & Parsley

2021 Week 7 Newsletter

Recipe from RecipeTin Eats

This may seem like a pretty basic recipe but sometimes only the simplest of ingredients are required to really make a dish shine. These tender little buttery nuggets would make a wonderful side dish but you could also combine them with some of your green beans for a salad Nicoise! 

New potatoes

½ tbs salt , for cooking

2 tbs unsalted butter (no need to melt)

¼ tsp each salt and pepper (or more to taste)

2 tbs fresh parsley, finely chopped

Boil potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot of cold tap water with 1 tbs salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat to medium so they're simmering gently (this stops skin splitting). Cook for 10 – 15 minutes until there's no resistance when pierced with a knife. Alternatively, steam the potatoes.

Steam dry: Drain in colander then leave for a minute to let the potatoes steam dry (if wet, butter won't stick).

Toss with butter: Transfer to a bowl, add salt, pepper and butter. Toss to melt and coat.

Add parsley just before serving. Stir through, transfer to serving bowl and serve warm!

Recipe: Fried Greens Meatlessballs

2021 Week 7 Newsletter

Recipe from Food 52

We love hardy greens in all forms and when you have a surplus it's a great idea to have a flexible recipe in your back pocket that can accommodate  just about any variety- this is one of those! Feel free to incorporate Chard, Kale, Mustard Greens, Beet & Turnip Greens, etc- everyone is welcome! These balls make a great snack or appetizer but why not try them with pasta as a substitute for traditional meatballs? 

1 bunch greens, about 8oz
3 tablespoons olive oil or grapeseed oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
salt, to taste
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup crumbled feta

1 or 2 eggs

oil for frying

Pulse greens in a food processor or finely chop with a knife—they should be small but not puréed or mushy. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the oil, onion, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cilantro, and cumin seeds. Stir for 30 seconds.

Add greens to pan and sauté for a minute or two, until they have wilted. Turn the mixture into a large bowl.

Let cool for five minutes, then add the breadcrumbs and feta. Mix well, then taste for seasoning. Add more salt if necessary—this is your chance to get the seasoning right while the mixture is egg-free. Crack one egg into the bowl and mix with your hands to incorporate. Squeeze a small ball of the mixture. If it holds together, begin portioning out the remaining mixture into small balls. If it doesn't hold together, add another egg. I usually find one egg to be enough.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add balls to pan—they should sizzle when they hit the oil—then turn heat down to medium or medium-low. Cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Use a fork to flip the balls to the other side and cook for another 2 minutes or so. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Recipe: Crispy Smashed Beets

2021 Week 7 Newsletter

Recipe from Taste Cooking

You may have heard of the cook-smash-cook technique for preparing potatoes, and guess what- it works great for beets as well! Tender, slightly crisp, dark and richly flavored, what's not to love? This is another recipe that can easily go from side to main with the addition of a fried egg or two and some crusty bread on the side. 

1 bunch small to medium beets

12 garlic cloves, peeled

2 spicy red chilies cut into ½ inch slices (optional)

1 tbs olive oil plus ⅓ cup for panfrying

1 ½ tsp salt

6 scallions trimmed and cut into half inch pieces (some thinly sliced sweet onion is also nice)

flaky sea salt for finishing

Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine the beets, garlic, chiles, and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat well. Season with the kosher salt. Transfer the mixture to a large Dutch oven or baking dish (deep enough so the beets don’t go over the rim), pour in 3 tablespoons of water, and cover tightly with foil.

Roast until the beets are very tender (a sharp knife should go in with barely any pressure), 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the foil and let the beets sit until they’re cool enough to handle but still warm.

Reserve the garlic and chiles, discarding any that got too dark. Transfer the beets to a cutting board (lined with parchment paper, to avoid staining the board), then use a small plate to, one by one, gently crush the beets to a relatively even thickness of 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Try to keep them mostly in one piece.

Heat the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmery. Cook the beets, in batches if necessary to avoid crowding, flipping once, until charred and crisp at the edges, about 3 minutes per side. It’s okay if they fall apart a bit—any little pieces will get extra crispy. As they’re done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a platter, leaving the oil behind.

When all the beets are ready, add the scallions and the reserved garlic and chiles to the pan and cook, stirring, just until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Scatter the mixture over the beets, season with flaky salt, and serve.

Recipe: Roasted Aloo Gobi

Image from Bon Appetit

2021 Week 6 Newsletter

Recipe from Priya Krishna's “Indian-ish”

Priya Krishna's method for this recipe means you can cook the veggies ahead of time and then throw them in a pan with the spices and onions whenever you are ready to get dinner on the table- especially helpful on summer days when you want to get most of your cooking out of the way in the cool hours of the morning. I really enjoy this served with a quick sauce of yogurt mixed with minced garlic, a bit of hot pepper, salt, and a squeeze of lime juice. 

~Rae

2 medium russet potatoes, cut into 2"-long sticks

1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets

5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 tsp. cumin seeds

½ tsp. ground turmeric

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. thinly sliced ginger

Pinch of asafetida (optional, but really great)

Pinch of red chili powder

1 tsp. (or more) kosher salt

1 Tbsp. (or more) fresh lime juice

½ cup chopped cilantro leaves with tender stems

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Toss potatoes and cauliflower with 3 Tbsp. oil on prepared sheet. Spread in an even layer and roast, tossing once halfway through, until cauliflower and potatoes are browned and slightly crisped, about 30 minutes. Let cool.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high until it begins to shimmer. Add cumin and cook, stirring frequently, until they turn a medium shade of brown, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium and swirl in turmeric. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 4–6 minutes. Add ginger, asafetida (if using), and chili powder and cook, stirring, until heated through and well combined, about 1 minute longer.

Stir in roasted potatoes and cauliflower, including any charred bits from the foil, and gently mix (don’t overmix, or the cauliflower will fall apart). Add salt and cook, tossing occasionally, until potatoes and cauliflower are tender (but not soggy!), 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and add lime juice. Taste and add more lime juice or salt, if needed.

Transfer potatoes and cauliflower to a platter. Top with cilantro.

Recipe: Kale Salad With Apple & Fennel

Image from Cookie & Kate

2021 Week 6 Newsletter

Recipe from Cookie & Kate

This salad holds some associations with Autumn due to the addition of apples and maple syrup but we think it is a also a refreshing summer dish. Make it a meal by adding in poached chicken, fish, or other protein of your choice. 

1 bunch of kale

1 medium Honeycrisp apple

1 medium bulb of fennel

3 ounces chilled goat cheese, crumbled (to yield about ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese)

⅓ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or chopped pecans

Dressing

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon maple syrup

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

⅛ teaspoon salt

Several twists of freshly ground black pepper

To prepare the kale: Use a chef’s knife to remove the tough ribs from the kale, then discard the ribs. Chop the kale leaves into small, bite-sized pieces. Transfer the chopped kale to a big salad bowl. Sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt over the kale and massage the leaves with your hands by lightly scrunching big handfuls at a time, until the leaves are darker in color and fragrant.

To prepare the remaining salad ingredients: Chop the apple into small, bite-sized pieces. Use a chef’s knife or mandoline to slice the fennel as thin as possible. Transfer the prepared apple and fennel to the salad bowl. Use a fork to crumble the goat cheese over the salad. Roughly chop the cranberries and add them to the bowl.

To toast the pepitas: In a skillet over medium-low heat, toast the nuts, tossing frequently, until fragrant and starting to make little popping noises, about 3 to 6 minutes. Transfer the pepitas to a bowl to cool.

To make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until emulsified.

To prepare the salad: Add the cooled pepitas to the salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over the salad, just enough to lightly coat the kale once tossed (you might have some leftover dressing). Toss the salad well. For best flavor, let the salad rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe: Escarole With Beans & Pasta

2021 Week 5 Newsletter

Recipe From Cooking With Nonna

Nothing makes a classic Italian Wedding Soup like escarole, but last time we checked it didn't really seem like good soup weather, so here's an alternative that will bring you similar Italian flavors without the heat!

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

6 cloves garlic, sliced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 anchovy fillets packed in oil (optional)

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup chicken broth

1 head escarole, trimmed, washed and coarsely chopped

1 19oz can cannellini beans, rinsed

salt and pepper as desired

1 pound Rigatoni

grated Pecorino Romano cheese for sprinkling

Put a large skillet with a lid over a medium flame and heat the oil. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the anchovies and cook until they have melted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Add in the wine and cook for 1 minute.

Add the escarole to the pan and cook until the leaves are wilted, about 3-5 minutes.

Add in the beans and using a wooden spoon, mash about half of them.

Add the chicken broth to the pan and lower the flame to a simmer. Cover and cook until the escarole is tender, about 5-7 minutes. Uncover and cook another 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning and season with salt and pepper as desired.

Lower the flame to low while the pasta cooks.

Drop the rigatoni into a large pot of generously salted boiling water and cook until al dente.

Drain and add the pasta to the pan. Toss over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.

Serve in warm bowls with a sprinkle of grated pecorino romano cheese.

Recipe: Whipped Hummus With Roasted Carrots

Pic From The Guardian

2021 Week 5 Newsletter

Recipe Adapted From The Guardian

Adding in the liquid (aguafaba) from the can of chickpeas as well as a bit of extra water results in a hummus that is very delicate and light in texture. It is the perfect pairing for these spiced roasted carrots (a bit fave in my household)

~Rae

1 bunch carrots, trimmed, peeled, and left whole or cut in half
handful toasted pistachios, roughly chopped
handful cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
sea salt and black pepper

Whipped hummus
1 can (150g) chickpeas, with liquid
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup  tahini
¼ – ½ cup water
sea salt and black pepper

Za’atar oil
1 tbsp za’atar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
1/8 tsp red chilli flakes

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Place the carrots on a baking tray, drizzle them with oil and season with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 20 minutes or until soft and golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Meanwhile add the chickpeas, chickpea liquid, garlic, lemon and tahini to a blender or food processor. Whizz on high speed for two minutes or so, until emulsified and smooth. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the hummus is super smooth and light. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Taste and add more lemon juice, if needed.

Whisk together all the ingredients for the za’atar oil.

Spread some of the hummus on a serving plate. Top with the roasted carrots, and drizzle over the za’atar oil. Season everything with sea salt and black pepper and scatter with pistachios and cilantro.

Recipe: Bang Bang Chicken & Noodle Salad With Snap Peas

Pic from Rae’s kitchen

2021 Week 5 Newsletter

Rae’s Favorite!

If you aren't already familiar with it, Bang Bang Chicken is a delicious and refreshing Sichuan dish consisting of shredded poached chicken and julienned cucumber tossed with a sweet, spicy, and tangy dressing. In this recipe I add in some Chinese egg noodles to make it a meal and sub in snap peas for the cucumber. In my opinion it is a pretty flexible recipe so feel free to experiment with adding in any sweet crunchy veggie, chopped greens, or other protein of your choice- it's really the sauce that makes it perfect each time! (Thanks to The Woks Of Life for the original sauce ingredients) 

~Rae

2 tbs light soy sauce

4 tsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)

2 tbs sugar

1½ tbs sesame oil

1 tbs chili oil (or to taste)

2 tbs toasted sesame seeds

1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorn (optional)

 ½ tsp salt

2 tbs finely chopped scallions

About ½ a package dried Chinese egg noodles or Soba noodles

2 tbs chopped cilantro

½ lb chicken breast

1 bag sugar snap peas sliced thin on the diagonal (you can also leave them whole if you prefer) 

First poach your chicken: Place the meat in a small pot, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, a few peppercorns, a handful of stems from your cilantro, and a slice or two of ginger. Pour in just enough water to cover, bring to a simmer, and cook for about 5min. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, with the lid on, for about 20 min. Remove from water and let cool then shred. 

To make the sauce: Combine soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, chili oil, salt, and sichuan peppercorn (if using). Set aside.

Cook noodles according to package instructions and plunge into cold water to chill. 

Add noodles, chicken, sesame seeds, sliced sugar snap peas, chopped cilantro, and scallions to a large bowl and toss gently to combine. (Try sautéing your pac choi with some garlic and oyster sauce and serving it as a side to this salad!)

Recipe: Grilled Lettuce

Pic From Something New For Dinner

2021 Week 3 Newsletter

Recipe from Something New For Dinner

Fire up that grill and throw on some lettuce! It may sound strange if you have never tried it before but the tender lettuces in your box this week can be utterly transformed by heat. Imagine crisp caramelized edges contrasting with a sweet center- talk about a unique alternative to your average salad! Add some grilled steak or tofu (or even fish) to make this a meal. 

2 T finely chopped shallot

1 T balsamic vinegar

1 T Spanish sherry vinegar

6 T olive oil, plus some for brushing the lettuce

2 small heads of lettuce, sliced in half from stem to stern

3 ounces crumbled feta cheese

1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

In a small bowl combine shallot and vinegars. Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Heat grill to medium and lightly oil the grate. Brush the lettuce with a little olive oil and grill for 1 - 2 minutes on either side until lettuce is lightly charred.

Plate lettuce cut-side up, drizzle with dressing, top with feta cheese and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes.

Recipe: Radish Sandwiches

Pic from The Splendid Table

Week 3 Newsletter

Recipe from The Splendid Table

Not only is this another wonderful hot weather meal, the butter in the recipe will also tame the spiciness of your radishes (just a tip if you're trying to introduce a picky eater)

1 standard-size baguette

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tsp flaky sea salt

1 bunch radishes, trimmed, washed, and thinly sliced

1 small handful salad greens of choice

Pinch fresh garden herbs such as chives or tarragon (optional)

Slice the baguette lengthwise and crosswise, creating 4 quarters. Place the bread on a cutting board cut sides up. Spread each quarter with softened butter, and sprinkle with salt. Pile sliced radishes onto each quarter, pressing them firmly into the butter. Lay the greens and herbs across the bottom quarters, and top with the corresponding tops. Press down on the halves firmly with your palms. Place the sandwiches on a cutting board and cut into small sandwiches or hors d’oeuvres.

Recipe: Cilantro Stem Green Sauce

2021 Week 2 Newsletter

From Save The Food

We all know that cilantro leaves add a wonderful citrusy herbal fragrance to many dishes, but the stems are also packed with flavor and worth saving! This recipe for a quick green sauce (for nachos, tacos, and more!) can be frozen for later use. I also love poaching chicken breasts with cilantro stems and a couple slices of ginger to add to an entrée salad. 

~Rae

1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro stems (from 1 bunch of cilantro)

1⁄2 cup olive oil or neutral oil, such as organic canola or grapeseed

1⁄2 tsp ground cumin

In a blender or the mixing cup of a small food processor or immersion blender, combine the vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Swirl a few times to dissolve the salt. Add the stems, olive oil, and cumin — puree. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Pic from Save The Food

Recipe: Collard Wontons

Pic From Two Red Bowls

2021 Week 1 Newsletter

From Two Red Bowls

These are a huge hit in my household (especially with my 5yr old who normally won't eat anything green)! I use one package of wonton wrappers and fry up any leftover filling in little patties to eat as a snack. Try the wontons in the broth recommended in the recipe or serve them with dipping sauce as a side dish to noodles with stir-fried Pac Choi!

~Rae

for the wontons:

½ pound collard greens, roughly chopped

1 pound ground pork

¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (2 to 3 scallions)

1 tablespoon finely grated ginger root

3 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine, dry sherry, or sake

2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon white pepper 70 to 80 wonton wrappers

(15 to 16 ounces, or about 1⅓ packages; keep unused wrappers covered in plastic wrap, sealed

in a Ziploc bag, and frozen for later use)

for the broth:

4 cups water

4 cups chicken broth

1 to 2 teaspoons soy sauce, for serving

½ teaspoon sesame oil, for serving

¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (2 to 3 scallions), for serving

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the greens and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until the greens are bright green and beginning to turn tender, but still have some bite, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and add to a food processor. Pulse until finely shredded.

In a large bowl, combine the greens, pork, scallions, ginger, rice wine, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar (if using), salt, and white pepper. Using chopsticks or a wooden spoon, stir vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the filling forms a thick paste.

Prepare a small bowl of water for sealing the wrappers. For each wrapper, place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center. Dab a bit of water on one edge and fold the wrapper in half, taking care to seal the wrapper well around the filling. Dab water on one corner of the folded seam and bring the two folded corners together to form a small bundle. Place on a tray and repeat. You should end up with 70 to 80 wontons. To save them for later, freeze on the tray, then place in a Ziploc bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you’re ready to cook the wontons, in a large pot, bring the water and chicken broth to a boil. Add about 20 wontons, stirring gently to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook until the water comes back to a boil and the wontons float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the wontons to plate. Repeat with the remaining wontons until they’re all cooked, or freeze a portion of the uncooked wontons for later. To cook from frozen, use the same method, but boil for 4 to 6 minutes, until the wontons float.

To serve, divide the wontons among several small bowls and ladle a bit of the cooking broth over each bowl. Drizzle lightly with soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil, and top with scallions. Enjoy immediately.

Recipe: Cream Of Kohlrabi Soup

Pic from The Spruce Eats

From 2021 Week 1 Newsletter

I always had trouble figuring out what to do with Kohlrabi until my best friend (a former Lowlands CSA member) made me this dish and I fell in love! Try serving with toasted bread spread with oregano compound butter or plain butter with a bit of minced green garlic.

- Rae

2 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion (chopped)

1 pound kohlrabi bulbs (peeled and chopped)

2 1/2 cups stock (vegetable)

2 1/2 cups milk

1 bay leaf

Salt (to taste)

Freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan with a lid. Add 1 medium chopped onion and cook gently until soft, about 10 minutes.

Add 1 pound kohlrabi bulbs, peeled and chopped, and cook 2 minutes.

Add 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock, 2 1/2 cups milk, and 1 bay leaf to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 25 minutes or until kohlrabi is tender. Let cool a few minutes and remove bay leaf.

Using an immersion blender, conventional blender or food processor, purée soup until smooth.

You may want to strain the soup through a fine sieve if the kohlrabi is especially fibrous.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Recipe: Chicken & Collard Greens Spring Rolls

Image from Eating Well

from Eating Well

10 collard leaves (about 8 ounces)

½ cup rice vinegar

3 ½ cups water, divided

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

¼ cup smooth natural peanut butter

¼ cup reduced-sodium tamari

1 large clove garlic, minced

3 scallions, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed

⅛ teaspoon salt

2 ounces thin rice noodles or rice sticks

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided

1 cup grated beet

1 cup grated carrot

¾ cup fresh basil leaves

¾ cup fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Set a large bowl of ice water next to the stove. Lay a collard green flat, with the thicker part of the stem that runs down the middle of the leaf facing up and the shiny, bright green side down. Using a sharp knife, shave off the thick stem so it's almost flush with the leaf. Trim any of the remaining stem from the base of the leaf, reserving all shaved and trimmed pieces. Repeat with the remaining leaves. Cut all the stem pieces into 2- to 3-inch lengths.

Step 2

Cook the leaves in the boiling water in 3 batches until soft but still pliable, 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to the ice water until cool. Drain and pat dry.

Step 3

Bring vinegar, 1/2 cup water and brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the collard stems and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the stems from the pickling liquid and set aside.

Step 4

Transfer 1/4 cup of the pickling liquid to a small bowl (discard the remaining liquid). Whisk in peanut butter, tamari and garlic. Set aside.

Step 5

Combine the remaining 3 cups water, scallions, lemongrass and ginger in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add chicken and reduce heat to maintain a bare simmer; cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Shred and season with salt.

Step 6

Using a slotted spoon, remove the solids from the chicken-poaching liquid and discard. Return the liquid to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil.

Step 7

To assemble spring rolls: Lay a collard leaf on a clean cutting board. Place 2 tablespoons chicken in the center and top with about 1 tablespoon each of the noodles, beet, carrot, basil, mint and pickled stems. Fold both sides of the leaf over the filling and, starting with the open end closest to you, roll into a tight cylinder. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling. Brush the rolls with the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with the reserved peanut sauce.

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.