Grilled Pizza With Pesto, Arugula, & Feta

Recipe & Pic from Saving Dessert

It's going to be way too hot to turn on your oven, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some pizza this week- so light up your grill and make something tasty! Ready-made dough from the grocery store is just fine to use if you don't feel like making your own.

4 balls of pizza dough

2 cups arugula

1 cup crumbled Feta

1 cup prepared pesto

Preheat your grill as hot as you can get it. Oil the grate then quickly slice the rolled out pizza dough onto the grill. Grill for a minute or two until the bottom is cooked and the top starts to bubble up. Quickly turn the pizza dough over and grill for another 2-4min.

Repeat with the remaining dough and top each pizza with pesto, arugula, and feta.

Thai Chard Wraps With Peanut Sauce

Recipe & Pic from Fed & Fit

You'll have to boil water to quickly blanche the chard, but that's the only heat involved in these cooling summer wraps! You can replace the shrimp with tofu or any other meat that you prefer.

1 bunch Swiss chard about 8 leaves

1 pound medium-sized cooked shrimp

3 carrots peeled and cut into matchstick pieces

1/2 cucumber cut into matchstick pieces

1/4 red cabbage finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

For the peanut sauce::

1/2 cup smooth peanut or almond butter

1/2 cup coconut aminos

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon fish sauce

1/4 teaspoon black and white sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Blanche chard for 5 min in boiling water then submerge in an ice bath and dry.

Whisk all ingredients for peanut sauce together until smooth and garnish with sesame seeds.

To assemble, cut the larger chard leaves in half cross-wise and leave the smaller leaves as-is. place an even amount of carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, and cilantro on each leaf. Add three to four shrimp on top and carefully roll each leaf up, securing with a toothpick if needed. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce and enjoy!

Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Recipe & Pic from Onolicious Hawaii

A wonderful way to quickly pickle cucumbers without having to stand over a pot of hot brine! Throw some poke or seasoned chilled shrimp over a bowl of rice and garnish with these pickles and you'll have a filling and heat-wave-ready meal!

1 large cucumber

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon sugar

¼ cup rice vinegar

Thinly slice the cucumber and place in a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle salt on the cucumbers, toss. Let sit for 10 minutes. Drain the water.

In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the rice vinegar. Pour over the salted cucumbers.

Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Ready to eat!

Moroccan Spiced Carrots With Lamb

Recipe & Pic from Dishing Up The Dirt

I share this carrot recipe every year because it is just so darn good and it's a great way to push carrots from a snack or side dish to a foundational part of a full meal. I recommend piling everything up on one big plate (garnish with some of your parsley) and serving with a bowl of pita or sliced crusty bread for scooping!

~Rae

1 bunch carrots, sliced in half lengthwise

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt and pepper

Lamb

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 bunch of scallions, minced (white and light green parts only, reserve the tops for garnish)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

a few grinds black pepper

1 pound ground lamb (ground beef is a fine substitute!)

Yogurt Sauce

1 cup plain sheep's milk, goat's milk, or cow's milk yogurt

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 425F. Toss the carrots with the oil, spices, salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned and tender. About 30 minutes. Toss the carrots halfway through cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan, swirl to coat. Add the scallions, garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and lamb. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is cooked through, 5-7 minutes.

Prepare the yogurt sauce by whisking together all the ingredients in a bowl.

Spread a thin layer of the yogurt sauce onto four plates, top with the carrots and then top with a few spoonfuls of the lamb mixture. Sprinkle with minced scallion tops and serve.

Hasselback Zucchini With Feta

2022 Week 5 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Peas & Crayons

You're likely familiar with potatoes getting the Hasselback treatment but here Zucchini gets a turn. This is a great way to use up a lot of zucchini at once (every gardener's summer connundrum)!

1 large zucchini squash

2-4 TBSP feta cheese (finely crumbled)

1-2 TBSP fresh chopped basil (try subbing in your cilantro!)

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1-2 tsp lemon juice

olive oil to taste

salt to taste

Preheat oven to 450. Wash your zucchini and slice thinly but not all the way through.

Mix together feta, basil, paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes- set aside.

Lay the zucchini on a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then smash the feta mixture in between each round. Add a little extra on top and fold up the foil into a pouch.

Bake for 35min for al dente or 45-60min for tender zucchini.

Escarole With White Beans

2022 Week 5 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Food 52

Silky escarole, creamy beans, all the flavor your could ask for- in a matter of minutes you'll have a truly satisfying meal!

1 medium head escarole, about 1 pound (or substitute curly kale or mustard greens)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large sprig rosemary, plus more for frying (optional)
2 dried chiles de arbol (or substitute ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes)
3 garlic cloves, smashed
Salt, for seasoning

2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
Rind of Parmesan, Grana Padano, or pecorino (optional)
1/2 of a lemon
Any of the above cheeses, for garnishing

Cut the head of escarole in half lengthwise, then cut each length crosswise, into 1 1/2-inch strips. Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Use your hands to swish the leaves around, loosening up the dirt. Let the escarole sit undisturbed for 5 or so minutes so that the soot settles to the bottom. Lift the escarole out of the bowl, then repeat the washing process. (Escarole is very dirty—washing it twice is critical.) Don’t worry if the leaves are still a little wet. (If you’re using kale or mustard greens, clean and remove the center ribs. Then give the leaves a rough chop.)

In a large Dutch oven with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat, Once hot, add the rosemary sprig and the chiles de arbol. Let sizzle for about 1 minute, then turn the heat to medium and add the garlic. Stir until it’s soft and golden on the edges.

Add the escarole a handful at a time. Stir it and let it wilt before adding the next handful and season with salt as you throw in each new addition.

When all the escarole has wilted, add the beans, the stock, and the cheese rind (if using), season with more salt, and stir to mix everything together.

Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover, lower the heat to maintain a slow simmer, and cook until the greens are tender and the liquid has thickened, about 20 minutes. (If you don’t want the dish to be soupy, you can remove the lid and simmer it for about 5 minutes, until the liquid has reduced.)

Before serving, season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Garnish with grated cheese and a swirl of olive oil. Serve over slices of toasted sourdough, polenta, or al dente ditalini.

Narjissiyeh (Favas with Eggs)

2022 Week 5 Newsletter

Image & Pic from TASTE

When Fava Season comes around we usually share Rand's favorite Favas & Dill recipe (which you can find in the Resource Center) but we figured we'd try something new this time around! This dish can be made with meat or can be kept vegetarian. Garnish with chopped cilantro!

4 tbs olive oil

1 Large onion, finely diced

1 lb (450 g) ground (minced) beef, lamb, or a combination

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground coriander

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 cup (125 g) shelled fava (broad) beans, blanched and peeled

6 eggs

Bread, for serving

FOR VEGETARIAN VERSION:

3 tbs olive oil

9 oz (250 g) white cheese (such as halloumi, Akkawi, or Nabulsi), cut into bite-size pieces

1 cup (125 g) shelled fava (broad) beans, blanched and peeled

6 eggs

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bread, for serving

In a medium frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent and starting to brown, 3–5 minutes. Add the meat, salt, coriander, and pepper and cook, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon, until the liquid has evaporated and the meat is nicely browned, 6–8 minutes.

Add the fava (broad) beans, tossing to combine, then cook for about 30 seconds.

With the back of a spoon, make 6 wells in the meat mixture and crack an egg into each one. Using the tip of the spoon, spread the whites around slightly, especially the thicker part surrounding the yolk, to ensure they cook evenly. Cover and cook until the yolks are at your desired level of doneness, about 3 minutes for runny or 5 minutes for fully cooked. Remove from the heat and serve immediately with bread.

TO MAKE THE VEGETARIAN VERSION:

In a medium frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cheese in a single layer and cook for a couple of minutes on one side until starting to brown (time can vary considerably between brands depending on moisture content, so keep an eye on it), then flip over.

Reduce the heat, to avoid burning the cheese, and add the fava (broad) beans. Crack the eggs evenly over the cheese and fava beans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Depending on how salty the cheese you are using is, you may not need to add any salt. Increase the heat to medium and with the tip of the spoon, spread the whites around slightly to ensure they cook evenly. You can also pierce the yolks and allow them to spread over the whites to give a nice marbled look and even flavor. Cook until at your desired level of doneness.

Remove from the heat and serve immediately with bread.

Egg Sandwich With Frisee

2022 Summer Week 3 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Never Not Hungry

This decadent egg sandwich (or “Sarnie” if you're a Brit like my dad) is absolutely worthy of having breakfast for dinner! Try subbing in some chopped scapes for the garlic chives for a bit of extra flavor.

~Rae

2 ciabatta rolls, halved

1 small head frisée, core removed, chopped into bite-sized pieces and thoroughly rinsed and dried

4 slices bacon, halved and cooked until crisp (reserve skillet and fat)

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon butter

Chopped fresh chives

DRESSING:

Reserved bacon fat

Half of a small shallot, finely minced

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 generous tablespoon red wine vinegar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To make the goat cheese butter: combine the softened butter and goat cheese and mash until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.

Toast the ciabatta rolls until lightly golden brown. Spread the goat cheese butter all over both sides.

Heat the reserved bacon fat over medium heat until hot. Add the shallot and a pinch of salt; sauté until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. Remove from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add to the frisée, tossing to coat.

In a large nonstick skillet with a lid, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the eggs and season with salt and pepper; cover and cook until the whites are set and the yolk is still runny, about 3 minutes.

Place the dressed frisée on the bottom half of the ciabatta rolls. Add the bacon slices on top. Place a fried egg on each sandwich and sprinkle with chives.

Recipe: Chermoula Roast Cauliflower

2021 Week 22 Newsletter

Recipe and Pic from Olive Magazine

This recipe calls for roasting a cauliflower whole, which it quite lovely presentation-wise, but if you prefer you can slice yours into thick “steaks” before roasting which will cook much more quickly!

1 cauliflower, trimmed

2 tbsp tahini

2 tbsp plain yogurt

1 tbsp, toasted pumpkin seeds

Chermoula

handful, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

handful, cilantro finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1 lemon, zested and juiced

olive oil

To make the chermoula, mix the herbs, garlic, spices, lemon zest and juice with 3 tbsp oil and a good pinch of salt.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees Brush the cauli with oil and season then put on a baking tray and roast for 30 -40 minutes or until tender. Take out, spoon over the chermoula and leave to sit for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the tahini and yogurt with enough water to make a drizzleable sauce and season. Lift the cauliflower onto a plate, drizzle with the tahini sauce then finish with a scatter of toasted pumpkin seeds.

Recipe: Green Shakshuka

2021 Week 20 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Wild Greens & Sardines

Another flexible recipe that can include just about any hearty green! Shakshuka is typically based around tomatoes but here peppers and leafy greens create the base for creamy baked eggs. Try throwing in some chopped green tomatoes for some extra tang and serve with a simple side salad.

Olive oil
2 medium leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned well, thinly sliced (sub in thinly sliced onion from your box!)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno or serrano chile, minced (add in more peppers of any kind!)
6 cups mixed greens, roughly chopped (such as spinach, kale, chard, beet greens, dandelion greens, etc.)
Handful of mixed herbs (such as basil, parsley, dill, chives, fenugreek leaves), plus extra for garnish
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
6 eggs
Feta for topping
Sumac for topping
*Chile oil for topping
Za’ atar flatbread for serving

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and chile, and sauté another minute. Add the greens and herbs, season with salt and pepper and sauté until cooked down, about 5 minutes. Stir yogurt into greens.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Make six indentations in the greens mixture. Crack an egg into each. Cover the skillet and cook until the egg whites are just set but yolks still runny. Turn off the heat, top with crumbled feta and chopped herbs, sprinkle with sumac and drizzle with chile oil.

*For the chile oil: Place 2 to 3 tablespoons chile flakes (such as Calabrian, Aleppo, Urfa Biber or Korean) in a heatproof bowl. Heat up oil of your choice (I used olive oil, but peanut, grapeseed, or canola would work). When sizzling hot, pour the oil over the chile flakes. Let sit, ideally for 24 hours, to allow the chile to fully infuse the oil.

Recipe: Broccoli & Za'atar Soup With Tahini Cream

2021 Week 18 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Dishing Up The Dirt

This is another one of those recipes that we end up sharing every year because it is just so darn good! If you find broccoli cheese soup a little too heavy, are trying to avoid dairy, or want to convince a picky eater to give this veggie another try, this is the go-to soup for you! The tahini cream is absolutely essential for balancing out the richness of the soup with a spicy and acidic zing so don't skimp on making it!

~Rae

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

3 teaspoons za'atar

2 whole heads of broccoli, broken into small florets (about 4 cups worth)

1 medium sized yukon gold potato (about 1/2 pound), peeled and roughly chopped (or any white/yellow flesh potato)

1 litre (4 cups) low sodium vegetable broth + additional to thin if needed

salt and pepper to taste

Lemon Tahini Sauce

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (tiny tiny pinch here)

1/4 cup tahini

3-4 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons water + additional to thin as needed

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnishes

1/2 cup cilantro, minced

1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts

za'atar for sprinkling

Heat the oil in a heavy bottom pan and cook the onion and garlic over medium-high heat until they begin to soften up, about 5 minutes. Stir in the za'atar, broccoli and potatoes and coat the veggies in the spice mixture. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.

While the soup simmers prepare the tahini sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce and whisk until completely smooth and creamy. This works best with a small food processor, immersion blender, or regular blender. Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed. If the sauce is too thick add a touch more water.

Once the soup has simmered for 25 minutes and the veggies are tender use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and creamy. Alternately (and my preferred method) transfer the soup to a high speed blender (you may have to do this in batches) and puree until smooth. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste for seasonings and keep on low heat until ready to serve.

Divide the soup between bowls. Drizzle each bowl with a few tablespoons of the tahini sauce and garnish with cilantro and pine nuts.

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: Spanish Style Eggs With Kale & Chorizo

2021 Week 17 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Milk Street

Migas started out as a Spanish-Portuguese way to use up stale bread but we think you'll agree that this recipe is so much more than just a way to get rid of leftovers!

8 large eggs

kosher salt

3oz Spanish chorizo, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise

2 tbs olive oil

2 ½ cups ½in chewy bread cubes

1 medium onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

¼ tsp sweet paprika

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups lightly packed coarsely chopped kale

ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with ½ tsp salt. In a skillet cook the chorizo until browned and crisp, 2-5min. Transfer the chorizo to a bowl, leaving any fat in the pan. 

Add 2 tbs of olive oil to the pan and add the bread with a pinch of salt. Cook, tossing frequently until browned and crisped, 3-5min. Transfer to the bowl with the chorizo.

Add remaining 1 tbs of olive oil, onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne, and ¼ tsp salt to the pan and cook, stirring frequently until the onion and garlic are softened , 3-5min. Add the kale and cook until wilted but still bright green. 

Pour the whisked eggs into the skillet and immediately reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, until barely set, about 1min. Stir in bread and chorizo and cook to desired consistency, 30-90 seconds. 

Recipe: Lo Mein With Pac Choi & Green Onions

2021 Week 17 Newsletter

Recipe adapted from The Woks Of Life

Another tried and true noodle dish that is also ultra flexible! Feel free to throw in additional sautéed veggies or mushrooms and extra protein of your choice (shrimp, pork, chicken, tofu, Chinese sausage, etc). 

~Rae

1 lb fresh Chinese white noodles or Lo Mein Noodle

2 tbs sesame oil

4 tbs soy sauce

2 tbs oyster sauce

2 tbs rice wine

1 tbs grated ginger

½ tbs garlic, minced

pinch of sugar

1 tbs peanut oil

3 green onions, split at the thick parts and cut into 2in lengths

1 cup roughly chopped pac choi

Boil water in a large pot for the noodles. If using the lo mein egg noodles, you can skip this step, as those noodles do not require any pre-cooking. But if using fresh white noodles, you will have to boil them. Just cook until al dente, drain, and rinse in cold water. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, rice wine, and oyster sauce.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over high heat and add the garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds and add pac choi to the wok and cook until the greens are just wilted. Then add your noodles and the green parts of the scallions. Make sure that before you add them, they’re somewhat loose and not all clumped together (you can rinse them in warm water to loosen them up before adding them to the wok).

Pour your sauce mixture over the noodles and stir-fry until the color of the noodles are uniform. A folding or scoop-and-lift motion works well for that. Once everything is well-combined, dish out the noodles and serve.

Recipe: Spicy Sichuan Noodles With Pac Choi

2021 Week 16 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Wild Greens & Sardines

This recipe is pretty much a meatless version of Dan Dan noodles (traditionally ground pork is the star attraction) but the sauce is so rich, creamy, and highly flavored that you won't for a minute feel like you are sacrificing deliciousness in favor of incorporating more veggies into your meal. You can purchase chili oil at the grocery store but if you have the time and inclination I highly recommend making your own (recipe included below)- you will be shocked at how many dishes it will find its way into!

~Rae

noodles
8-10 ounces dried or fresh ramen noodles (I usually use buckwheat soba noodles)
Bring a pot of salted water to a bowl. Drop in the pasta and cook until just al dente. Drop into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain.
For the Tofu-Mushroom
1 tablespoon oil
4 ounces firm tofu, finely chopped
4 ounces mushrooms, any variety, chopped (I often use rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms because that is usually what I have on hand in the pantry)
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch of ginger minced

1-2 heads of pac choi, chopped
1 teaspoon Shaoxing rice wine, Saki or dry Sherry
2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
Salt to taste
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil and saute the pac choi until tender and wilted, set aside. Add the tofu and mushrooms and sauté until nicely browned. Add the garlic and ginger, and a little more oil if needed, and sauté another minute. Add the rice wine and soy and stir to combine. Fold the cooked pac choi into the mix and salt to taste.
For the Sauce
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
4 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons Chinese black vinegar
2 to 4 tablespoons Sichuan chile oil plus some flakes, depending on desired heat level (recipe below)
2 tablespoons tahini
Splash of pasta cooking water
Combine the Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, black vinegar, Sichuan chile oil and tahini in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Add a tablespoon or two of pasta cooking water, just to loosen up the sauce a bit.
Toppings
Thinly sliced scallions
Roasted, chopped peanuts
Ground Sichuan peppercorns

To Assemble
Spoon a few tablespoons of sauce in the bottom of each bowl. Layer half of the noodles on top. Spoon the tofu-mushroom mixture on top. Add thinly sliced scallions, chopped roasted peanuts and a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns. Add a little more sauce on top. Enjoy!

Sichuan Chile Oil
1/4 cup red pepper flakes, such as Korean chile flakes (Gochugaru)
2 teaspoons toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorn
3/4 cup oil, such as grape seed
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 tablespoon whole Sichuan peppercorns
3 bay leaves
2-3 slices ginger

Place the red chile flakes and ground Sichuan peppercorn in a heatproof bowl. Set aside.

Heat the oil with the cinnamon stick, star anise, whole Sichuan peppercorns, bay leaves and ginger in a pot over medium-high heat. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Place a fine mesh strainer over the bowl with the chile flakes. Carefully pour the hot oil all over the chile flakes. Be careful, it will bubble up. Allow the oil to cool completely and allow the oil to infuse for at least 24 hours before using. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life.

Recipe: Charred Green Beans With Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2021 Week 15 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from A Beautiful Plate

This recipe would make a zingy side dish but you could also transform it into a meal in itself by tossing the beans over long grain rice (and beans) and throwing a fried egg on top! 

2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons (30 mL) fresh lime juice

¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves plus more for garnishing

¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Charred Green Beans:

1 lb (16 oz) fresh green beans trimmed

extra virgin olive oil

flaky salt such as Maldon

Prepare Vinaigrette: Combine the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper in small food processor bowl. Puree or pulse ingredients together, until mixture just begins to come together, and cilantro is still finely chopped. Set aside in a small container. Shake before using.

Prepare the Charred Green Beans: In a medium bowl, toss the trimmed green beans lightly with olive oil (roughly 1 tablespoon or so) and season lightly with salt. Heat a grill (use a grill pan if your grill slats are spaced apart) over medium-high heat or large grill pan over very high heat. The pan should be piping hot. If you are grilling inside, turn on your kitchen fan, as it will get smoky.

Add about a third of the green beans directly to the hot grill or grill pan, spreading them out evenly. Grill the greens beans for roughly 4 to 5 minutes, tossing them every few minutes, until they are evenly charred and beginning to soften slightly. Transfer the charred green beans to a serving platter or separate mixing bowl. Repeat with the remaining green beans.

Allow the charred green beans to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then toss with the cilantro-lime vinaigrette. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves and finishing salt. The dish can be served hot, at room temperature, or cold straight from the fridge.

Recipe: Chard & Potato Enchilladas

2021 Week 15 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Anathoth Garden

Once upon a time I didn't even know what chard was, let alone how incredibly versatile it is! This recipe is a great way to use up multiple veggies in your box in one go while putting something just a little different on the dinner table. *You can add a protein such as pork, sausage or chicken if desired, simply chop it up small and cook until browned then add the filling before rolling tortillas.

~Rae

Vegetable Oil

Salt

1/2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Salt and pepper

1/2 lb (1 bunch) Swish Chard (stems and leaves washed, dried and chopped)

1 medium onion, chopped

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

3/4-1 lb pepper jack cheese, shredded

8 tortillas, either corn or flour

1 jar (12-14 oz) salsa, as hot as you like

Sour cream and sliced green onions for topping

Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large skillet; cook the potatoes until golden brown. Place on a paper towel and season with salt and pepper as desired.

Add the chard stems to the skillet. Cook until beginning to soften.

Add the onions and garlic and cook until softened.

Add the chard leaves and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.

Add the potatoes and 1 cup of the cheese to the mix and toss together.

Preheat an oven to 350 deg.

Put ½ cup or so of the salsa to a baking dish.

Add 2 tablespoons or so of the mixture to a tortilla and roll up, placing in the dish seam side down. Repeat for all the tortillas. *If using corn tortillas, cook in the skillet for a few seconds to soften before filling.

Top the tortillas with the rest of the salsa and spread the rest of the cheese evenly over the top.

Bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is beginning to bubble.

Serve with sour cream and green onions on the top.

Recipe: Black Bean & Roasted Pepper Quesadillas

2021 Week 15 Newsletter

Recipe and pic from Nourish & Fete

When I'm looking for something easy, filling, and tasty in a way that will please even my picky five year old daughter, quesadillas are where I turn! This recipe is a great way to incorporate the peppers from your box this week- top with chopped cilantro or some salsa fresca! 

~Rae

2 peppers: all sweet or a sweet and hot combo, your choice!

3 teaspoons olive oil divided

1 teaspoon kosher salt divided

1 small yellow onion finely chopped

3 cloves garlic minced or pressed

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili powder

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans drained and rinsed

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

juice of 1 lime

1 cup shredded cheese monterey jack, colby jack, or any Mexican blend is terrific

8 flour or corn tortillas

sliced avocado or salsa as desired, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (approximately 200 degrees C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Slice the tops and bottoms off the peppers, cut into quarters, and remove seeds along with the inner white membranes. Arrange peppers on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bake for 20-30 minutes, turning peppers about halfway through, until the skins are blackened and slightly charred. Remove from oven and set aside; when cool, coarsely chop.

To make the black beans, heat remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it just begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, chipotle chili powder, cayenne pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; saute about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Stir in the beans followed right away by the broth. Bring to a brisk simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering gently until beans are tender and most liquid has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice, and adjust seasonings to taste.

To assemble quesadillas, warm a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and place a tortilla on the surface. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese evenly over the surface of the tortilla, followed by a thin layer of beans and a sprinkling of chopped red peppers. Finish with an additional thin layer of cheese, then top with another tortilla.

Using a spatula, gently press down on the top tortilla, and cook until both layers of cheese begin to melt. Gently flip the quesadilla, and cook for 1-2 minutes more on the other side. Remove to a cutting board, slice into wedges, and serve with avocado or salsa as desired.