Wednesday

3

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Crispy Veggies with Fennel Pollen Dipping Sauce – Episode 61

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Appetizers, Condiments, Dinner, Fennel Pollen, Fruit, Gluten Free, Kid-Friendly, Roasting, Sauces, Sides, Snacks, This Week's Feast, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I think at this time of year, the word pollen might be a bad bad word. I, for example, have sneezed approximately seventeen hundred thousand times in the past two weeks. I wonder if I’m allergic to something?!

Here’s a kind of pollen you can get into: Fennel Pollen. I told you about it in December when I’d just begun to try it out. I’m still experimenting, but so far, everything I’ve added it to I’ve liked (not to be confused with “add it to everything”).

I used it on two episodes of the show and made some bright green Savory French Toast that is holy moly good, and some oh boy this is good too, in a totally different way, Mahi Mahi, Fennel, and Potato Chowder.

And this week, I used it again. This time in a dip for some beets, fennel, potatoes, and carrots. Not just any beets, fennel, potatoes, and carrots though. They’re roasted. Which makes almost any vegetable about a thousand times better (and that’s saying a lot, because I like vegetables).

They’re meant to be served alongside Fennel Pollen Burgers. But, those weren’t for the show. They’re for Friday’s post, so you’ll just have to wait… If you can’t, just make the veggies twice!

It’s time to get dippin’, friends.

Happy Eating!

Crispy Veggies with Fennel Pollen Dipping Sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 57 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes

Yield: 4

Crispy Veggies with Fennel Pollen Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

2 potatoes, chopped
1 fennel bulb, core removed, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 beets, peeled and chopped
1 T olive oil, divided
pinch salt
pinch pepper
1 lemon wedge/serving
sauce: 1/8 to 1/4 C buttermilk (1 T white vinegar and fill to 1/4 C with milk - stir and let sit for a few minutes)
1/4 C Greek yogurt
2 T mayonnaise
1/2 stalk green garlic, diced
2 pinches salt
pinch pepper
pinch fennel pollen
1 t red wine vinegar
1 t to 1 T olive oil

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350F.
Cut veggies to be about the same size. Using a separate bowl for the fennel, and for the beets, toss with 1 T olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Put beets on a baking sheet and bake for 2 min. Place the carrots and potatoes on another baking sheet. Add to oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
Add fennel to beet sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until veggies are tender on the inside, crispy on the outside.
While veggies roast, whisk together dressing ingredients, adding olive oil last, and whisking it in. Let it sit in the fridge until veggies are ready.
Serve veggies with a squeeze of lemon and the sauce to dip them in.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/boom-roasted-ep61/

This episode is sponsored by: Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, Molly Jenson.

Wednesday

27

February 2013

1

COMMENTS

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili – Episode 57

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Roasting, Soups, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

I made this Chili 3 weeks ago. It was what we had for dinner the day I made Mache and Citrus Salad for the show. Tim asked if I’d made the Chili for the show. I said no. He practically yelled, “What?!! It’s so good!! You have to make this on your show!!”

Well, ok, if you feel that strongly about it!

Of course, after getting some form of winter squash in our Abundant Harvest Organics‚ box almost every week for about the past 2 months (not a complaint. I love squash), the following two weeks were without squash. Figures, right!? Well, this week it’s baaaa-aaack. And I made Chili with it.

And then we ate it.

Oh happy day.

BBandBSChili5

BBandBSChili6

Happy Eating!

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili

Recipe Type: Soup, Main, Stove Top, Oven, Roasting, Meat, Beans, Legumes, Vegetables

Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 81 mins

Total time: 1 hour 31 mins

Serves: 4

Squash is roasted and paired with black beans in this hearty chili.

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled, and cut into 1/2″ to 1″ cubes
1 T butter
1 T plus 1 t olive oil, divided
2 carrots, chopped
6 cloves garlic, diced
1 shallot, chopped
1 T lemon juice, divided
1 T maple syrup
dash t cayenne
1/4 t red pepper flakes
pinch cumin
1 t plus 1/4 t salt, divided
1/4 t pepper
1/2 T apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 C vegetable stock
2 1/2 C black beans, cooked
1 T parmesan cheese/serving, grated, for topping
lemon wedges, for topping
1/2 slice bacon/serving (opt.), cooked and crumbled

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 375F. Toss squash with 1 t olive oil, 1/4 t salt, and a pinch of pepper. Roast on a baking sheet for 45-60 minutes, or until squash is tender (amount of time will vary depending on size of cubes). Check part way through roasting time to be sure it’s not burning. Rotate pan/flip squash if desired.
Cook bacon. Drain on paper towel and discard grease. Set aside.
Heat soup pot. Add butter and remaining oil and brown (being careful not to let it burn). Add salt, pepper, cayenne, red pepper flakes, cumin, onion, and carrot. Cook 10 minutes, covered, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic. Stir and cook 1 minute. Add vinegar, 1/2 T lemon juice, and maple syrup. Cook 3 minutes.
Add remaining lemon juice, beans, squash, and stock. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil; cook 10 minutes. Turn heat down to low and cook 10 minutes more. Stir occasionally, and add more stock or water if needed.
Serve topped with bacon, parmesan cheese, and a lemon wedge to squeeze over top.

Serving size: 1 1/2 C Calories: 566.75 Fat: 25.55 Carbohydrates: 44 Protein: 15.99

Notes

Nutritional information includes bacon. Nutritional information without bacon: (Per serving) Calories: 370 Fat: 9.25 Carbohydrates: Same Protein: 13.54

This episode is sponsored by: Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, Molly Jenson, Snow-Line Orchard.

Wednesday

9

January 2013

3

COMMENTS

Savory Baked French Toast – Episode 50

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Baking, Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Dinner, Eggs, Fennel Pollen, Fruit, Holiday, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Pork, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

It’s 2013! It’s a New Year! We all have plans, ideas, resolutions. We, like many of you I’m sure, missed our Abundant Harvest Organics boxes over the break. I’m so glad our produce drawers are full once again so we can get back into our lifestyle of healthy eating!!

This is a special episode, because it’s my 50th!! That’s a big number and I’m excited. I’ve loved doing this show for you. I hope you’re learning, laughing, enjoying, and eating along with me!

I hope you try this rather yummy dish. It’s perfect for any meal. But, I think it would be awesome at a brunch with family or friends. You can use any kind of bread that you want. To make it a bit healthier, I’d go with a whole grain, whole wheat bread. But, I had some stale French bread, so that’s what I used. It’s a great way to use the greens that are so good for you, and are in season right now. (If you need another way to use greens, my brother gave me his recipe for Green Smoothies. They are delicious and full of healthy ingredients.) I used ham, but bacon would also be amazing (cooked then crumbled over top when serving). Another option would be to omit the meat altogether and add some more almonds when serving, for some lean protein.

This dish comes out super bright green. Kinda like the Incredible Hulk. I like green.

I hope your new year has been wonderful so far! And, I’m glad you’re here! Thanks for being a part of my first 50 episodes!!

Happy Eating!

Savory Baked French Toast

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4-5

Savory Baked French Toast

Ingredients

4 eggs
3-4 C kale/spinach/collard greens
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 C milk
1/4 C cream (reserve a bit for topping)
1 t dijon mustard
1/2 t (or less) salt
1/4 t pepper
pinch cayenne
1 to 1 1/2 C cheese, grated (I used Creamy Jack Cheese)
pinch fennel pollen
1 t olive oil
10 thick slices of bread (I used a stale loaf of French Bread)
5 slices ham, quartered
roasted almonds, chopped (for topping)

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl (if using a hand blender), or a food processor, or a blender, blend spinach/kale/collard greens, garlic, eggs, milk, dijon, onion, seasonings, and 1/2 C cheese (I blended up the greens in the chopper attachment of my KitchenAid hand blender first, then transferred to the bowl).
Grease baking dish with olive oil - even on the sides (at least part way up). Soak bread slices in egg mixture. Place in baking dish, overlapping each slice with the next one (if desired). If there is any extra egg mixture, add more to each slice. Top each slice with two pieces of ham.
Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining cheese, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes more (or until it reaches 160F).
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Top with a drizzle of cream and some almonds (a dollop of Greek yogurt would also be good!).

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/i-like-bright-green-food-ep-50/

This episode is sponsored by: Burroughs Family Farms, Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, and Molly Jenson.

Wednesday

7

November 2012

1

COMMENTS

Roasted Fennel Mac and My Little Cooking Show Turns 1- Episode 45

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Kid-Friendly, Main Dishes, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Roasting, Sides, This Week's Feast, Thoughts, Vegetables, Vegetarian

This week marks a year since A Cooking Show with Rachel O made its debut into the world of culinary entertainment (or whatever you want to call it). Armed with my Minestrone Soup recipe and a lot of excitement, I began. Now, a year later, I’ve learned a lot, eaten a lot… I’m not sure which I’ve done more of… I’ve also burned myself, pinched my hand, scared the dog with my horn thingey (that was today), dropped tons of food on the floor, eaten lots of veggies, laughed a lot, knocked the iPad/second camera off the counter‚ pronounced things incorrectly, learned how to cook new things, invented dishes I’ve loved, made a few things I wasn’t absolutely crazy about, learned some more, ate some more, chopped about a million veggies, and developed a new found respect for those who wash dishes and/or edit video for a living. Neither is my favorite part of the job (although one is definitely more favorite), but both are necessary.

My favorite part of the job… favorites actually: Chopping food, the smell of Bari‘s olive oil, the smell of garlic when it hits a hot pan, photographing food, editing my photos, the inspiration that comes when I open the box of Abundant Harvest Organics produce, planning a menu, writing furiously so I don’t forget the recipe idea that popped into my brain, hearing Husband exclaim “MMMMMMMMMmmmm” after taking his first bite (it happened with this meal!), watching the dog pretend not to watch us eat because he too would like a bite, laughing at myself, eating amazing organic produce, working with a company I respect, sharing my love for food with you… I could go on for hours. I feel truly blessed to do what I do.

Thank you for being a part of that. Thanks for watching, for reading, for commenting, for telling me that you liked a recipe. It means so much to me. I create these dishes, write about these foods, share my ideas because I think they taste good. But, I also share them because I want you to enjoy them just as much as I do. I hope this is happening.

I also hope you like Mac and Cheese as much as I do. We can still be friends if you don’t, but it is one of my favorite go-to/comfort/quick meals. I know it’s tempting on a tired night to grab a box of the really quick stuff. I’m not judging if you do. I’ve done it. Buuuut, I’ve also discovered that homemade Mac and Cheese is almost as fast. Really! You have to wait for the water to boil regardless. So while you’re standing in the kitchen, starving, staring at the water, willing it to boil, trying to keep from eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon, grab some milk, olive oil, salt, pepper, and flour, grate some cheese and make a simple sauce. If you have a few more minutes, roast some fennel and add it to some sautéed onion and garlic. It’s a good idea.

I didn’t think I liked fennel. Then I roasted it. Roasting is the key to making almost any vegetable a thousand times better (even though I usually like them just the way they are! Here’s how: Buy olive oil (personally, I like Bari‘s). Turn on oven. Combine olive oil with halved fennel. 350F. Done. Boom. Roasted. Good right?!

Now it’s your turn. Have fun!

Happy Eating!

Roasted Fennel Mac

Recipe Type: Main, Pasta, Dinner, Oven, Stove Top

Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 38 mins

Total time: 48 mins

Serves: 2-4

When fennel is roasted it becomes sweet and slightly caramelized. It’s paired with pears and Gruyère and added to traditional Mac and Cheese to dress it up.

Ingredients

1/2 to 1 C onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, halved
3-4 T plus 1 t olive oil
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 carrot, grated
1/2 to 1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 t apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 C cheese (combination of Gruyère and Parmesan), grated (1/4 C reserved for topping)
2 T flour
1/4 C cream
1/2 to 1 C milk
1/2 to 1 C vegetable stock
1/4 C pasta water
2 C pasta
1 pear, thinly sliced (for topping)

Instructions

Drizzle fennel with 1 t olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes (or until fennel is tender).
Cook pasta.
Heat pan over medium heat. Add 2 T oil. When oil is hot, add onion, carrot, and a pinch of salt. Cook 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more.
When fennel is done, remove from oven and let cool slightly. Chop. Add to pan with veggies.
Move veggies to one side. Add 1-2 T more oil. When it’s hot, whisk in 2 T flour, cook 30-60 seconds. Slowly, a little bit at a time, whisk in milk, stock, cream, and pasta water. Let it thicken a little after each addition of more liquid. Add pasta water. Cook until just before it boils.
Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, apple cider vinegar, and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Toss pasta with sauce. Top with thinly sliced pear, and top pear with cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted.

This episode is sponsored by:

Abundant Harvest Organics

Bari Olive Oil Company

Waterfall Creative

Molly Jenson

Wednesday

8

August 2012

0

COMMENTS

Ta-may-toh Stuffed with Keen-Wah – Stuffed Tomatoes – Episode 34

Written by Rachel, Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grains, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Quinoa, Roasting, Sides, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

It’s almost lunch time as I type this post. I’m hungry. I want to eat everything.

When I was looking at what was going to arrive in this week’s box, the tomatoes (“Ta-may-toh”) kinda jumped out at me. I’ve made stuffed peppers before. Why not stuffed tomatoes?! I’ve heard of other people doing it. I guess we just use our tomatoes up too quickly to get around to doing this. Tomatoes are really good for us: We’re talking lycopene (a natural antioxidant) and it’s thought to benefit the heart*!

Do we really need an excuse to eat tomatoes though?!

I often have leftover quinoa in the freezer. It’s pronounced “keen-wah”. Did you know that? I’d been calling it the wrong thing for years. Now I know. It’s easy to make, higher in protein (about 14g/3.5oz.) than rice or pasta (I still totally eat rice and pasta), and is very versatile. It’s not just a protein, but a complete protein and is high in dietary fiber**. Yay Quinoa!

This could be a dinner, going alongside some Roast Beef (haha I typed “meef”: meat + beef = funny), Pan Seared Pork, Roasted Chicken… You could chop up any of said meats (cooked first) and add to the filling and have this as your main dish with a big salad.

You could eat it as a light lunch (or even breakfast), alongside a Fried Egg and a slice of hearty toast! You could make this vegetarian by omitting the bacon and adding chopped almonds for crunch. Get creative with your food!

Happy Eating!

Stuffed Tomatoes

Recipe Type: Side

Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 28 mins

Total time: 43 mins

Serves: 2-6

Summer tomatoes are stuffed, roasted, and topped with crunchy bacon!

Ingredients

4-6 tomatoes, seeded and cored
1 T fresh oregano, diced (1 leaf reserved per tomato for topping)
1 ear of corn, off the cob
1 onion, diced
1 C squash, diced (I used a small zucchini, but any summer squash would work)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 C quinoa, cooked (I used leftovers)
1/2 t salt (I used Lemon, Thyme, and Bay Sea Salt, but regular salt would work just as well)
1/4 t pepper
1 T olive oil
1 T tomato paste
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/4 C parmesan cheese, grated (reserve 2 T for topping)
2 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled (for topping)

Instructions

Heat a medium sized pan. Add oil. Add onion, squash, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, corn, tomato paste, vinegar, and quinoa, stir (make sure tomato paste is combined) and cook 2-3 minutes.
Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then stir in parmesan cheese (reserving a bit for topping).
Stuff filling into hollowed out tomatoes. Bake at 350F (I used the toaster oven) about 20 minutes.
Top each tomato with crumbled bacon, 1 T parmesan and a fresh oregano leaf.

Notes

If you’re not using leftover quinoa: Bring 1 C water to a boil. Add 1/2 C quinoa. Cook about 15 minutes. Will yield about 2 C cooked. It freezes well.

Sponsored By

Abundant Harvest Organics

Bari Olive Oil Company

Llano Seco Organic Pork

Molly Jenson

Waterfall Creative

*Info from Wikipedia

**Info from Wikipedia

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