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Thursday

25

June 2015

Green Bean Fries

Written by Rachel, Posted in Appetizers, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Inspired By, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Roasting, Sauces, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I’m crazy about French fries. With a burger they’re fabulous, topped with gravy and cheese curds they’re comforting, with a hearty dip they’re a meal. Of course they don’t have to be made with potatoes. Parsnips, carrots, and summer squash all work perfectly. And while we’re at it, why not try sweet potatoes, beets, or rutabagas?

And when I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to take the time to cut up some veggies for roasting, or when I’ve got so many green beans just waiting to be used, I figure I might as well turn them into fries.

Never mind the fact that roasting green beans is one of my favorite ways to eat them. Ever.

So it’s pretty simple. The beans are tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper and head into a hot oven. High heat and not a lot of time will work well here.

While the beans roast, a quick “ketchup” is blended together. Garlic, basil, a few spices, a little this (maple syrup), a little that (dijon mustard)… a minute or two in the mini food processor and we have some sort of tomatoey, herby, ketchup-like dipping sauce.

This could be used for any of the above French fry options. If there are leftovers, it’d be great heated up and served over pasta, or used as a pizza sauce. Oh and it’d be fabulous atop a burger.

I have some suggestions in the recipe for three different herb combinations. I was also thinking that if you wanted to go a completely different direction and opt for a creamy dip, crème fraîche would be an awesome option. I might try that next time. (P.S. Crème fraîche is actually pretty easy to make from scratch! Who knew?!)

The meals that I make and photograph for these posts usually end up being lunch. So, I fried up some eggs, washed some strawberries, and we were set. Of course Green Bean Fries would be a great compliment to a meal; a wonderful side, But, more often than not of late, I’ve been enjoying veggies as the star.

Happy Eating!

Green Bean Fries

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Yield: 2-4

Green Bean Fries

Ingredients

1-2 pounds green beans, stems removed
1 t olive oil
to taste salt
to taste pepper
2 T total (fresh if possible, if dried, crumble and reduce amounts): dill + parsley + basil OR basil + parsley + savory + thyme OR tarragon + parsley + dill + fennel pollen
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
pinch cayenne
pinch ginger
1 t maple syrup
1 t dijon
2 T olive oil
1 T chives or shallots (optional)
1 C tomato puree
1 T vinegar
to taste salt
to taste pepper

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 425F.
Toss beans with 1 t olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour beans onto two baking sheets (so they're not over-crowded). Roast for 10 minutes, flip and rotate their position in the oven, and roast for 6-7 minutes more.
While beans roast, blend herbs through pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve green beans dipped in "ketchup".

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/green-bean-fries/

Monday

15

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Written by Rachel, Posted in Appetizers, Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Potlucks, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I called this a “mélange”, which is French for “mixture”. It seems so versatile that I don’t want to limit it by calling it a dip or a salad. A dip implies the need for some sort of scooper. Corn chips would work well. I’m planning to try this tonight. A salad or a side implies that it’s a dish meant to compliment something else. Served alongside some grilled chicken or pan seared tofu would be fabulous. It could be a topping for brown rice/quinoa/bulgur wheat, breakfast burritos, fried eggs, or crispy potatoes. It could be a part of a taco salad. It could become an appetizer and top a garlic rubbed crostini.

This makes enough for about 4-5 servings, so I’m looking forward to trying as many of these as possible.

The magic all starts with the fruits and veggies. I chose summer squash, carrot, garlic, jalapeño, and these fabulous Kingsburg Gold cherry tomatoes that I’ve been waiting a year for.

Seriously.

Cherry tomatoes are one of my favorite things about summer. They bring back memories of eating tomatoes, still warm from the sun, from our garden when I was growing up. No matter how large or small my garden is, I always try to grow tomatoes. I plan to save some seeds from these Kingsburg Golds to plant next year.

If you want to swap out any of the veggies, I have a few suggestions: eggplant (finely chopped), corn (fresh off the cob), bell pepper (in place of or in addition to the jalapeño), red onion (I don’t have any on hand, or I would have added it), radish (finely grated – don’t use too much so it doesn’t overpower), and avocado (ripe, but not too).

I like to grate carrots when they’re in a salad or a dip. I thought they’d be easier to scoop up than chunks. Plus they’re a little less in your face with the crunch. Grating tames them a bit. If you like chunks, chop away.

It’s all so super simple. A quick oil and vinegar dressing with some paprika for fun flavor. It’s one of my favorite spices. If you don’t love it, chili powder would be great, cumin could be good, or you could just stick to salt and pepper and add a few fresh herbs (like basil and parsley, and maybe even cilantro).

Everyone gets tossed around, then they get to stand for a few minutes to marinate a bit.

We ate this for lunch with plain old cheese quesadillas. The fridge is a little bare right now, so we’re all out of the usual quesadilla toppings (salsa and Greek yogurt). But, let me tell you, I may just skip them from now on. I liked this better.

I think dinner tonight will be corn chips with this little mélange. That counts as dinner, right? And then breakfast burritos tomorrow… I wonder if I’ll ever get sick of it. 😉

Happy Eating

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Ingredients

2-3 T balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T chives, minced
1 t paprika
to taste salt
to taste pepper
2-3 T olive oil
1 1/2 - 2 C beans (black, kidney, white, garbonzo), drained and rinsed if canned, cooked and cooled if dried
2 C zucchini, grated
1 C carrot, grated
1/2 to 1 C tomatoes, chopped
1/2 jalapeño (about 1-2 T - use more for more heat), ribs and seeds removed if desired, minced
could also add: bell pepper, red onion, radish, corn, avocado, or eggplant

Instructions

Whisk together balsamic through pepper. Stream in olive oil as you whisk some more.
Toss beans and veggies with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Wash hands after cutting jalapeño and be careful not to touch eyes while cutting. Serve this dish on its own, as a side, or with corn chips for dipping. Use it to top rice/quinoa/bulgur wheat, breakfast burritos, fried eggs, crispy potatoes, taco salad, or crostini.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/bean-and-veggie-melange/

Monday

8

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Fennel Pizza

Written by Rachel, Posted in Baking, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grilling, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Main Dishes, Pizza, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

It can be tough to transition from one season to the next. I never quite know what I’m in the mood for… Do I still want a hearty winter veggie soup, or am I ready for snap peas and asparagus? I have a few go to dishes that make the transition a bit easier and blur the lines, if you will. Things like pasta, soup, stir fry, shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie, and enchiladas all work well no matter what the season.

So does pizzaaaa!

Ridiculously well.

One of the great things about pizza is how adaptable it is. For example, you could exchange the regular crust for gluten-free, make a cauliflower crust, use corn tortillas, or even grill some eggplants and top them with sauce and veggies. You can omit the cheese, change the veggies, and add more herbs. You can grill it, bake it, or cook it in a skillet.

Hello versatility!

Today I went with the spring variation. It was perfect for what we got in the Abundant Harvest Organics box this week: fennel, carrots, and basil.

I adapted this crust and cooking method recipe. It’s become a staple in our home. The crust freezes well and is a synch to make.

The recipe calls for stove top cooking, then finishing in the oven. But, it’s too hot for the oven today, so I just covered it and left it on the stove for a couple of minutes.

This allowed the veggies to soften just a bit, but they still had some crunch. If you don’t like crunchy veggies on your pizza, no problem. Just do a quick sauté before you top the pizza. You can even use the same skillet. Just wipe out any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the skillet before adding more oil and your crust.

Here are my variations by season:

Spring

Everything feels fresh and new, bursting with color and flavor. Depending on how early it is in spring, I may want to use thinly shaved asparagus instead of summer squash, bright green peas instead of fennel. But, because we’re actually right smack in the middle of one of these transition periods, I’m using what’s in season, and thankful for every bite.

Toppings: Summer squash, carrot, fennel.

Herbs: Basil and parsley (after cooking) and fennel fronds (before cooking).

Sauce: Olive oil and garlic.

Cheese: Cheddar and parmesan, or ricotta and parmesan.

Method: Skillet, grill, or oven.

Summer

During the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, I love to have a simple pizza. I would probably choose 2-3 of the toppings, so the pizza isn’t overwhelmed. I want light and easy. Serve it with a quick salad of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and chopped almonds, with a balsamic-olive oil vinaigrette for a perfect summer treat.

Toppings: Summer squash, tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, or eggplant.

Herbs: Basil (after cooking) and thyme (before or after cooking… any time… get it?!).

Sauce: Tomato.

Cheese: Mozzarella, cheddar, or feta.

Method: Skillet or grill.

Fall

It’s finally cooled down (ahem, maybe, depending on where you live – around here fall is the hottest time of year). The first root veggies are starting to appear. Things like beets, cozy sweaters, and hot chocolate are exciting again. For this pizza, I would go for everything listed.

Toppings: Arugula (or kale or mâche), suuuuuper thinly sliced beets, halved cherry tomatoes, and a smidge of horseradish.

Herbs: Cilantro and chives (after cooking).

Sauce: Tomato.

Cheese: Blue, mozzarella, parmesan, or feta.

Method: Oven, skillet, or grill.

Winter

It’s cold! I want something hearty and filling.

Toppings: Really thinly sliced sweet potatoes and cauliflower, swiss chard (or spinach, mustard greens, collards, or kale)

Herbs: Rosemary (before cooking).

Sauce: Olive oil and garlic.

Cheese: Blue, parmesan, or feta.

Method: Oven or skillet.

Happy Eating!

Fennel Pizza

Yield: 2

Fennel Pizza

Ingredients

2 personal sized pizza crusts
olive oil
salt
pepper
cayenne (optional)
garlic, minced
summer squash, very thinly sliced
carrot, very thinly sliced
fennel, very thinly sliced
fennel fronds, torn
1 C cheese, grated (cheddar and parmesan mixture)
fresh herbs (basil, parsley, and thyme), chopped or whole

Instructions

Top crust with olive oil through cheese.
Cook using your favorite method. If grilling or cooking in a skillet, cook one side for 2-3 minutes first, flip, then add toppings. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, and either cover with a lid or cover the grill and turn the heat to low or off and cook for about 1-2 minutes more.
Remove from pan and top with fresh herbs.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/fennel-pizza/

Thursday

21

May 2015

0

COMMENTS

Roasted Stone Fruit with Bulgur and Fennel

Written by Rachel, Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Grains, Main Dishes, Nuts, Quick and Easy, Quinoa, Rice, Roasting, Sides, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Complain as I will about summer – the heat, the heat, the heat, I love the fruits and veggies that it brings. I’m silly for squash (more about that next week), crazy for cherries, and wacko for watermelon. Not to mention sweet corn… be still my heart. And oh the stone fruit… Standing over the sink, eating the most perfectly ripe peach, juice dripping down my arms. That’s just heavenly.

Try as I might, stone fruit doesn’t last long in our home. It’s just too easy to grab one, give it a quick scrub, and have a delicious snack. So in order to have any left for this savory take, I had to make it as soon as the box got home.

This week it was nectarines in our Abundant Harvest Organics box, but apricots, apriums, or peaches would work great too. I sliced them about 1/4″ thick, tossed them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasted them for a few minutes.

While the nectarines hung out in the oven, I sautéed some onions and fennel. A few minutes later I added the bulgur wheat and let it get a bit toasty before I added some veggie stock. If you wanted to keep this dish gluten-free, quinoa, brown rice, or barley would be great instead of the bulgur wheat.

Once the fruit was roasted, flipped once, and roasted for a bit longer, it joined the party in the bulgur pan.

Added to it was some saffron, cayenne, and ginger.

Top it with a little lemon juice, some chopped nuts, and you’ve got dinner.

It’s great on its own, but would be fabulous served with some crispy fried tofu, or a roasted chicken, along with a salad of arugula, red onions, sliced stone fruit, and chopped nuts.

Happy Eating!

Roasted Stone Fruit with Bulgur and Fennel

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 2-3 as a main dish, 3-4 as a side dish

Roasted Stone Fruit with Bulgur and Fennel

Ingredients

2 C firm stone fruit (apricots, nectarines, apriums, or peaches), sliced 1/4" thick
to taste salt
to taste pepper
1 t olive oil
1 T olive oil
1 C onion, chopped
1/3 C fennel, chopped
to taste salt
to taste pepper
1 C bulgur wheat (or quinoa, brown rice, or barley)
2 C vegetable stock (or water)
pinch saffron (optional)
pinch ginger
to taste salt
to taste pepper
pinch cayenne
1 T plus 2 t lemon juice
1/2 C nuts (almonds or pistachios), roughly chopped

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 400F.
Toss stone fruit with salt, pepper, and 1 t olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and roast for about 7 minutes, flip, then about 7-8 minutes more (or until fruit is lightly browned).
While fruit cooks, heat a medium sized sauce pan over medium or medium-low heat. Add 1 T olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion, fennel, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bulgur and cook for 1 minute more. Add stock, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 7-8 minutes (or until bulgur is cooked).
Add stone fruit through lemon juice to bulgur mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cool for about 10 minutes, then serve topped with nuts.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/roasted-stone-fruit-with-bulgur-and-fennel/

Monday

11

May 2015

0

COMMENTS

Nopales Wraps

Written by Rachel, Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Low Carb, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

It’s nopales time again! Who knew that cactus leaves could be so fun to eat?! Last week I made them into a relish. I also used them in Borscht. Today, I’ve sautéed them with onions, added scrambled eggs, and wrapped it all in a lettuce leaf.

Nopales have an interesting taste. Kinda like if a green bell pepper was crossed with a green bean, okra, and a lemon. They’re bright, citrusy, and oh so slimy. You can boil them to take away the slime. Or, if you don’t care too much, just pop ’em in the pan. Totally up to you. I wanted to keep this one super quick and easy, so I didn’t bother with boiling.

I really wanted eggs with this dish. But, you could totally make this a vegan dish by crumbling some tofu into the veggies.

All there is to it is to crack the eggs, whisk them to combine, and add to the cooked veggies in the skillet.

We’re on our way to a super simple meal!

I used lettuce for wrapping this time. But, of course tortillas would be a great option too, depending on what you’re craving. If you don’t have lettuce or tortillas, another large, sturdy green leaf will do (like chard or kale). Whether or not you will need a fork and knife will depend on the sturdiness of the wrapping device. With this lettuce picking it up wasn’t an option. The messiness factor was heightened by topping the wrap with Nopales and Tomato Relish, fresh tomatoes, and parsley, rather than adding them to the filling.

A squeeze of lemon is one of my favorite ways to finish off a dish. And this one’s no different. Bright and citrusy, it’s a great way to complete an interesting and fun take on nopales.

Happy Eating!

Nopales Wraps

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 2

Nopales Wraps

Ingredients

1 T olive oil
1/2 to 1 C nopales (or bell pepper), chopped
1 onion, chopped
to taste salt
to taste pepper
pinch cayenne
2 eggs/person (or 7 oz. firm tofu, drained and crumbled)
pinch salt
2-4 lettuce leaves, washed and dried (tortillas, chard, or kale could also be used)
1 tomato, chopped, for topping
fresh parsley, chopped, for topping
Nopales Relish, for topping
lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Heat a skillet over medium-low. Add oil. Once oil is hot, add nopales through cayenne. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
Turn heat to low. Whisk together eggs. Pour into skillet. Sprinkle with salt and stir gently until eggs are cooked and set (about 3-5 minutes).
Divide filling between lettuce leaves. Secure with a toothpick. Top with relish, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/nopales-wraps/

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Quick Meals Archive

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Green Bean Fries

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Bean and Veggie Mélange

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Fennel Pizza

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Roasted Stone Fruit with Bulgur and Fennel

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