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Monday

8

June 2015

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/

Monday

18

May 2015

5

COMMENTS

Veggie and Garbanzo Bean Shakshuka

Written by Rachel, Posted in Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

If there’s not a carton of eggs in my refrigerator, I feel a little lost when it comes to meal planning. I use eggs for all of the regular things, like adding them to pancakes, using them in an egg wash for a Chicken Pot Pie or Fish Wellingtons, or whisking them into a silky mayonnaise. But, I also count on them as a staple for our meals.

Fried eggs are one of my favorite foods. I love it when the yolk is still runny (I’m an “over-medium” order) and it spills over the food it’s covering, creating a creamy sauce. They’ve created a way for me to love some foods that I didn’t think I even liked (turnips!). Eggs for the win!

One of the meals I’ve discovered over the past year or so is called Shakshuka. I love it because it feels like an old world dish, similar to peasant food. It’s simple and straightforward, but also super versatile.

You can make it with just tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil. But, if you want to add more to it, you can add tons of veggies. This time I wanted to pack it with a little extra oomph. I added greens, fennel, and asparagus to the usual. And then, garbonzo beans. It’s a dish that’s loaded with nutrients, protein, and great flavor.

I could eat it everyday.

The veggies and beans don’t need to cook for too long – a little under 20 minutes will do. They just kinda stew there in the olive oil, getting all soft, flavors combining… man I’m hungry!

And then the eggs are added. Normally, when I fry eggs, I do it in a screaming hot cast iron. But, since there are other components in the pan, for this dish, I turn the heat down, add the eggs, and cover (so the whites will set).

Eggs, veggies, beans, cast iron… be quiet my grumbling stomach!

And if you thought things couldn’t get any better, it gets topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!

Happy Eating!

Veggie and Garbonzo Bean Shakshuka

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes

Yield: 2-4

Veggie and Garbonzo Bean Shakshuka

Ingredients

1 T olive oil
1 medium onion or leek, chopped
1 C assorted veggies (like fennel, asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms), chopped
to taste salt
to taste pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 C tomatoes (fresh or canned), diced
1 C garbonzo beans
2 C greens (chard, kale, collards, spinach etc...), roughly chopped
1-2 eggs/serving
to taste salt
fresh herbs (dill, parsley, chives, basil), chopped, for serving
lemon slices, for serving

Instructions

Heat skillet then add oil. When oil is hot, add onion through pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic through greens and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
Turn the heat down to low and make a small well for each egg. Add eggs, one per well. Season with salt. Cook covered until eggs are done (about 3-6 minutes, depending on how runny you like the yolk).
Serve topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon.

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

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/

Monday

27

April 2015

0

COMMENTS

Nopales and Tomato Relish

Written by Rachel, Posted in Appetizers, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

After eight years of subscribing to Abundant Harvest Organics, one might expect that I’d know all the fruits and veggies. There wouldn’t be any that I still needed to try… right?! Wrong.

Nopales.

The nopal is the pad or leaf of the cactus. It has a bit of an aloe vera or okra like feel to it. You could eat it raw, with tomatoes, in a salad. But, I wanted to do a little something more.

I’ve heard of people making tomato jam. That intrigues me. There are relishes, chutneys, confit, fruit butters, conserves… I wanted to try something fun like this with the nopales. We got tomatoes in our box this week – the first of the season for us. I love when tomatoes are in full swing. There’s nothing quite like a ripe tomato still warm from the sun. These tomatoes weren’t warm. Nor was it sunny. But, they were the perfect compliment to the nopales.

This is a super simple recipe. It’s a little like a salsa as there are tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a bit of heat. But, I also added a bit of sweetness. It really could be almost any of those aforementioned condiments, but I think it’s most like a relish.

I brought it to a quick boil, then let it simmer and reduce down for about 15 minutes. After just a quick chop for the tomatoes and nopales, spring onions and fresh garlic, all you really have to do is give it the occasional stir and mash it a few times. Easy.

You could just leave it chunky, but I like my salsas and jams a little smoother, so I blended it up a bit with a hand blender (a regular blender or food processor would work fine too).

After that, all that’s left to do is decide what to serve it with. May I suggest serving the relish atop avocados on toast, on crostini, like salsa (for quesadillas, taco salad, or corn chips), with brie and crackers, or use it to top fried tofu, chicken, or beef.

Happy Eating!

Nopales and Tomato Relish

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes

Yield: 18 oz.

Nopales and Tomato Relish

Ingredients

3 1/2 C tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 C nopales, chopped
1/2 C spring onion (or green or regular onion), chopped
2-3 T chopped fresh garlic (or 2-3 garlic cloves), diced
to taste salt
good sprinkle cayenne
1 T plus 1 t lemon juice, divided
3 t maple syrup (or 2 t maple syrup and 1 t honey)

Instructions

Place the tomatoes through maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat. After about 5 minutes/once tomatoes have released some of their juices, mash (with a potato masher), bring to a rolling boil and cook for about 1 minute. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened about 15-18 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining lemon juice.
Optional: Blend with hand blender (or regular blender or food processor) (it can also be left chunky). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve warm, cold, or at room temperature.

Notes

Serve with avocados on toast, on crostini, like salsa (for quesadillas, taco salad, or corn chips), with brie and crackers, or use it to top fried tofu, chicken, or beef.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/nopales-and-tomato-relish/

Monday

13

April 2015

0

COMMENTS

Vegan Tofu Fried Quinoa

Written by Rachel, Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grains, Leftovers, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Quick and Easy, Quinoa, Rice, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

We don’t eat a lot of meat. We enjoy it, but it’s expensive, and we’ve found that there are plenty of other ways to get enough protein in our diet. So the meals containing meat are few and far between, and we fill in the gaps with meals like this take on Fried Rice.

It starts with some seasonal veggies. Right now we’ve got greens like kale, chard, and mei qing choi. There are carrots, snap peas, and spring onions. And we’ve got the most delicious spring onions.

If you wanted to adapt this to suit another season, you could try some of these options:

Spring: Radishes, green beans, asparagus, fava beans, garlic scapes, or kohlrabi.

Summer: Zucchini/summer squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, or sinqua.

Fall: Beets, arugula, cabbage, celery, chard, fennel, or radicchio.

Winter: Broccoli, cauliflower, winter squash, bok choy, mustard greens, or daikon radishes.

No matter the veggies, it’s going to come together super quickly, so I’d suggest having all of the components ready to go before you begin cooking. Stir fry type dishes generally tend to cook over pretty high heat, which means they need to be stirred almost constantly. This doesn’t leave time for chopping up the next ingredients while the first ones cook.

I’d made some quinoa the day before, and used the leftovers in this dish. You could also use bulgur wheat, rice noodles, or regular brown rice (cook according to the package’s directions).

The quinoa takes the place of brown rice, since it has a bit more protein. The tofu mimics the egg, to make it vegan. I asked Tim if he could tell that there weren’t eggs in here. He said that it wasn’t noticeable.

Like a lot of things, I enjoy this served with a wedge of lemon to squeeze over top. The brightness that it adds is the perfect way to complete this dish.

Happy Eating!

Vegan Tofu Fried Quinoa

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4

Vegan Tofu Fried Quinoa

Ingredients

2 T oil
1 C snap peas (or green beans), strings removed, chopped
1 C carrots, chopped
1/2 C fennel (or celery), chopped
1 C onion, chopped
2 C greens, chopped
sprinkle ginger
to taste salt
to taste pepper
sprinkle cayenne
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 T soy sauce or gluten-free aminos
2 T rice vinegar
1 C quinoa (or bulgur wheat, brown rice, or rice noodles) (cooked)
7 oz. tofu (firm), drained and crumbled
1/4 C green or spring onions, chopped
1/2 to 1 C microgreens
lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Heat a wok, add oil over medium-high heat. Add snap peas through cayenne and cook for 3-5 minutes, turning constantly.
Add greens through microgreens (if microgreens are very delicate, wait to add them until 1 minute before you finish cooking) and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/vegan-tofu-fried-quinoa/

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