Showing posts with label onions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label onions. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Caramelized Onion and Tomato Tart

 Recipe from LifesaFeast





Ingredients:

For the tart you need:

-Dough (I used puff pastry about 14 oz/400 g), the original recipe called for bread dough (about 14 oz/400 g) or you could simply use a quiche dough for a 10-inch tart. The puff pastry dough needs to be rolled out, line a lightly oiled 10-inch (25 cm) tart dish, pricked and refrigerated for about 30 minutes while you make the filling. The bread dough, if using, needs to stay out at room temp for 30 minutes once you have rolled it out and lined the oiled tart dish.
-Roll out the dough (even the puff pastry) so when you line the tart/pie dish the dough comes up the sides to make an edge just to the top of the dish.

For the filling you need:

-3 yellow onions - peeled, cut in half and thinly sliced
-2 cloves garlic chopped or minced (not too too finely)
-Fresh or dried thyme and basil (I used dried), salt and pepper
-About 6 medium (maybe 2 - 3 inches across) ripe tomatoes **
-A small handful tiny olives, such as Niçoise olives or Greek olives
-A bit of fresh goat cheese or feta, optional
-Olive oil

** you can use about 400 g (14 oz) cherry tomatoes, sliced in half. Instead of brushing the cherry tomato halves with olive oil before baking, toss in 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil before placing the halves in concentric circles, close together, on top of the caramelized onions.



Directions

-While the dough is resting, caramelize the thinly sliced onions in about 2 tablespoons olive oil. After about 5 minutes, when the onions become translucent and just start to color, add the garlic, salt and pepper and the herbs and continue to cook over medium or medium-low heat until the onions caramelized a golden brown. This usually takes about 10 minutes total. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
-Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
-Spread the onions in the tart shell. If using goat cheese or feta crumble or lay slices over the onions, as much or as little as you like but only one thin layer. Cut off and discard the ends of the tomatoes and slice tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick and lay on top of onions/cheese in concentric circles, pressing the slices closely together in one tight, single layer. Lightly brush the top of each tomato with olive oil, salt and pepper again, a bit of basil and the olives, as many or as few as you like. Bake until the edges of the crust are golden brown about 30 minutes.

-Remove from the oven and allow to cool just a bit before serving in slices. This tart makes a wonderful meal with only a green salad, bread and a cheese platter and a bottle of wine.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Sausage-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Caps

Adapted from The Food Network.

Sausage-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Caps
Ingredients
3 Portobello mushroom caps (1 package)
1 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
12 ounces hot and/or sweet Italian sausage
¼ cup finely chopped onion
¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
⅛ cup finely chopped celery
1 teaspoon minced garlic
¼ cup plain bread crumbs
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
⅛ cup plus 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoons spice mix (see recipe below)
1 egg, lightly beaten
Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Using your hands, lightly rub mushroom caps with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
3. Cook the sausage in a medium skillet until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
4. Transfer sausage-vegetable mixture into a food processor. Add half of the bread crumbs and grated Parmesan, ⅛ cup parsley, spice mix, and the remaining teaspoon of olive oil. Pulse until mixture is finely chopped and comes together slightly, about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the egg, and stir until well combined.
5. Divide the filling among the mushroom caps, about ½ cup for each mushroom. Place the filled mushrooms on a baking sheet. Combine remaining bread crumbs Parmesan in a small mixing bowl. Divide the bread crumb mixture evenly among the tops of the mushrooms. Bake until golden brown on top and the mushrooms are tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with remaining tablespoon of parsley, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar and serve warm or at room temperature.

Spice Mix (The Food Network’s Creole Seasoning): 2½ tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon black pepper. 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon dried thyme.

Tomato Okra Soup

The following recipe comes from Coffee&Cornbread blog.

Tomato Okra Soup
Ingredients
6 to 8 okra pods, sliced
4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, diced
3 to 4 cups chicken broth
dash of red pepper to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
chives, for garnish

Directions
Place all ingredients but chives in a stock pot. Bring to boil and then simmer until okra is tender, about 20 minutes. Garnish with chives.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Easy Peanut Butter Chard

Easy Peanut Butter Chard
Ingredients
1 bunch chard, stems removed and cut into thin strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1 half onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
1 tomato, diced
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon peanut butter (depending on preference)
salt and pepper, to taste
olive oil pinch
crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Directions
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When hot, saute the garlic and onion until onion is translucent. Add bell pepper and tomato and saute a few minutes more until soft. Add chard and saute to your liking. When the dish is just about ready, add peanut butter and seasonings. Serve hot and enjoy!

Red Beet Risotto with Rosemary, Goat Cheese, and Pistachios

Red Beet Risotto with Rosemary, Goat Cheese, and Pistachios
Ingredients
1 onion, finely chopped
3½ tablespoons butter
1 half cup white wine
2½ cup Arborio rice
6 cups vegetable stock
3 to 4 red beets, peeled, boiled, and diced into small cubes
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
goat cheese, crumbled
pistachios, chopped

Directions
In a large pot, heat butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and saute for a few minutes. Add rice and stir to coat with butter for a few minutes more. Meanwhile, heat wine and vegetable stock in separate pots. Add white wine to the rice and stir until absorbed. A half a cup at a time, add the vegetable stock. Stir until absorbed before adding the next helping. If you run out of vegetable stock, you can add hot water. Make sure to stir rice constantly. When the dish is nearly done, add beets and rosemary, as well as salt and pepper to taste. The rice will turn a beautiful pink/magenta. Serve topped with crumbled goat cheese and chopped pistachios.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beans and Rice

The following recipe is adapted from Health Food Lazy People blog.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beans and Rice
Ingredients
4 bell peppers
3 cups cooked rice
1 half can black beans
2 ears corn, shucked and kernels cut off the cobs (or can use ¾ cup frozen)
½ onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1¾ cups crushed tomatoes 1
cup cheese (your choice, but cheddar is delicious!)
¼ cup diced jalapenos (optional)
½ cup water
seasoning

Directions
1. Cook rice and set aside.
2. Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and scoop out the seeds. They need to be softened before being stuffed, so either steam them for a few minutes or boil them for about 8 minutes. They should soft but not floppy, able to stand up by themselves and hold their shape, but not crisp.
3. In a small fry pan, sauté the onions and garlic in a little olive oil until the onions become translucent.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, sautéed onions, garlic, jalapenos, black beans, corn, seasoning, and a ½ cup of cheese. Mix well.
5. When the peppers are softened, stand them upright in a baking dish and fill them with stuffing mixture and top with the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
6. Pour a ½ cup of water in the bottom of the dish around the peppers.
7. Set the oven to 350 degrees, and bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Rustic Onion Tart

Adapted from: Simply Recipes

While it does take awhile to caramelize the onions, you don't need to stand over the stove stirring them. You can walk away and just give the onions an occasional stir while you go about doing other things. Once the onions are caramelized, this is a very quick dish to throw together. Just pie crust, cheese, onions, fold up and bake. It looks great when it comes out of the oven, too (see the photo on the original blog). Great vegetarian dish, too!

Ingredients

1 flat pie crust dough (pre-packaged or make your own)
3 medium sized red onions (use 4-5 if your onions are small)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
Salt
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 cup (not packed) roughly grated Gruyère Swiss cheese

Method

1 If you are making a crust from scratch, prepare the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator while you are cooking the onions.

2 Peel and slice the onions.

3 Heat olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan or Dutch oven on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and sprinkle a little salt over them. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes, until the onions have softened and are translucent. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for an additional 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are well browned. Add balsamic vinegar and cook for 10 minutes more, until onions are completely caramelized. Remove from heat.

4 Preheat the oven to 450°F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand for 5 minutes before rolling it out. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10-inch diameter. Remove the crust dough to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

5 Place all but a couple tablespoons of the cheese in the center of the dough. Spread to within 1 1/2 inches from the edges. Add the caramelized onions, layering them on top of the cheese. Fold the edges of the crust dough over so that a small circle of onion is still showing in the center of the tart. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the tart.

6 Place in the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 10 minutes at 450°F. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 4

Friday, July 15, 2011

Crispy Picnic Slaw

This recipe is courtesy of The Runaway Spoon blog. The author writes, "Because of the vinegar dressing, this slaw holds very well in a cooler or on a picnic table. The salt water soak keeps the vegetables crispy and mellows the bite of the onions and the dressing is sweet-tart with the tang of vinegar and mustard seeds."

Crispy Picnic Slaw
Serves 8

Ingredients
1 head green cabbage
2 bell peppers
1 medium onion
2 tablespoons salt
1½ cups apple cider vinegar
1½ cups organic evaporated cane sugar
½ tablespoon mustard seeds
½ tablespoon dill seed

Directions
1. Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage, cut it in half and remove the core. Cut the halves in two, then shred the cabbage. Remove the seeds and thick ribs from the peppers, cut into quarters, and slice thinly like the cabbage. Peel and quarter the onion and finely slice like the cabbage and peppers. Toss everything together in a very big bowl.
2. Dissolve the 2 tablespoons of salt in 8 cups of water. Pour the salted water over the vegetables in the bowl and stir to distribute everything. Soak the vegetables for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Leave the bowl on the counter while doing this.
3. Meanwhile, stir the vinegar, evaporated cane sugar, and seeds together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for two minutes, then set aside to cool.
4. Drain the vegetables, shaking out as much water as possible. Transfer the mix to a clean tea towel, roll it up and ring out as much water as possible from the cabbage. Rinse and dry the big bowl, then return the cabbage mix, separating it and fluffing it up with your hands. Pour over the vinegar dressing and toss to coat all the vegetables. It may look like a lot of dressing, but that’s fine. Cover the slaw with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The slaw can be eaten as soon as it is cold, but will stay crispy in the fridge for several days. Serve with a slotted spoon to drain off excess dressing.

Stuffed Cabbage

This Ina Garten recipe is recommended to us by our CSA Manager, Evan. It's a delicious way to prepare green cabbage, and many of the ingredients can be purchased along with your CSA share through the LFFC Buying Club.

Stuffed Cabbage
Ingredients
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1½ cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
2 cans crushed tomatoes or 6 to 8 large slicing tomatoes, diced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
½ cup raisins
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large head green cabbage, including outer leaves

Filling Ingredients
2½ pounds ground beef
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup finely chopped yellow onions
½ cup plain dried breadcrumbs
½ cup uncooked white rice
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves (can substitute with dried)
½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
1. For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions, and cook over medium-low heat for 8 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, raisins, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
3. Remove the entire core of the cabbage with a paring knife. Immerse the head of cabbage in the boiling water for a few minutes, peeling off each leaf with tongs as soon as it s flexible. Set the leaves aside. Depending on the size of each leaf, you will need at least 14 leaves.
4. For the filling, in a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, eggs, onion, breadcrumbs, rice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add 1 cup of the sauce to the meat mixture and mix lightly with a fork.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. To assemble, place 1 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Remove the hard triangular rib from the base of each cabbage leaf with a small paring knife. Place to ½ cup of filling in an oval shape near the rib edge of each leaf and roll up toward the outer edge, tucking the sides in as you roll. Place half the cabbage rolls, seam sides down, over the sauce. Add more sauce and more cabbage rolls alternately until you've placed all the cabbage rolls in the pot. Pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with the lid and bake for 1 hour or until the meat is cooked and the rice is tender. Serve hot.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Green Bean Casserole

This recipe is an adaption of chef Joaquin Baca's (The Brooklyn Star), published in the November 3, 2009 edition of The New York Times. It can be adapted to make a smaller dish by halving the amounts.

Green Bean Casserole
Serves 8

Ingredients
1 pound button mushrooms, sliced
2 small red onions, chopped
1 cup butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (can substitute with dried, using a lesser amount)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup vegetable stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
¼ cup sliced toasted almonds
½ cup fine dry bread crumbs
½ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
6 pearl onions, thinly sliced (can substitute using fresh or dried medium to large yellow or white onions)

Directions
1. In a food processor, combine half of the mushrooms and onions (red and pearl). Purée to form a paste, and set aside. In a large, wide saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add remaining mushrooms. Stir, increase heat to high, and sauté until mushrooms release their liquid, then become golden and begin to crisp around edges.
2. Add garlic and thyme, and stir for about 30 seconds. Add mushroom-onion paste and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, 10 to 15 minutes. Add cream and stock, and season with salt and pepper to taste. At this point mushroom mixture may be cooled, covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and set aside a large bowl of ice water. Add beans to boiling water and cook until bright green and barely tender, about 1 minute. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain well.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine green beans, mushroom mixture, almonds and ¼ cup breadcrumbs. Transfer to a baking dish 9 by 12 inches by 2 inches high, patting down to compact and level mixture. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup breadcrumbs. Bake, uncovered, until beans are tender and top is lightly browned, about 35 minutes.
5. To garnish, place oil in a small skillet and heat until it simmers. Place flour in a mixing bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper. Add sliced pearl onions, toss to coat and fry until golden, 30 to 45 seconds. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle on casserole.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Cabbage and Apple Casserole

This recipe was submitted by CSA shareholder Jamie, from Wilmington, DE, from one of her favorite cookbooks - The Vegetarian Cookbook, edited Nicola Graimes and published in June of 2007.

Cabbage and Apple Casserole
Ingredients
1½ pounds red or green cabbage
3 onions, chopped
2 fennel bulbs, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
3 large tart eating apples or 1 large cooking apple (Jamie prefers granny smith apples)
1¼ cups plain yogurt
1 tablespoon creamed horseradish
salt and pepper
crusty rye bread to serve

Directions
1. Preheat Oven to 300 degrees.
2. Shred cabbage, discard tough stalks. Mix with onions, fennel and caraway seeds in a large bowl Peel core and chop the apples and add to cabbage mix. Transfer to a casserole dish and set aside.
3. Mix the yogurt with the creamed horseradish. Stir the yogurt and horseradish mixture into the casserole, season with salt and pepper and tightly cover.
4. Bake for 1½ hours, stirring once or twice during cooking.
5. Serve with rye bread.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Sweet-n-Spicy Barbecue Sauce


Though the long ingredient list may seem daunting, don't let it scare you off! It actually is quite easy to put together and beats the bottled stuff full of unpronounceable this and unpronounceable that. This sauce is an excellent accompaniment to pulled pork, barbecued chicken, or grilled tofu.

Sweet-n-Spicy Barbecue Sauce (adapted from this Food and Wine recipe)
makes about 3 cups

1 T organic canola oil
3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
fine sea salt
1/4 C Bacardi Rum [optional]
1 1/2 T chili powder
1/2 T ground black pepper
1/4 t ground allspice
1/4 t ground cloves
1/2 C light brown sugar
1 C water
1 C organic ketchup
1/4 C organic molasses
1/4 C organic yellow mustard
1/4 C organic cider vinegar
1 T hot sauce [use less if you prefer less of a kick]

1. Heat a tablespoon of canola oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add in the chopped onion and garlic along with a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
2. Pour in the rum, and simmer for two minutes. If not using alcohol, skip immediately to next step.
3. Add in the chili pepper, black pepper, allspice, and cloves. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the spices become fragrant.
4. Stir in the brown sugar, water, ketchup, molasses, mustard, cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Reduce the heat to low/medium-low and simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
5. After the sauce has thickened, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce. (Alternately, use a blender, but allow the sauce to cool a bit first before pureeing, and puree in batches.)
6. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to two weeks.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Mexican Purslane Stuffing

From the Texas A & M Agrilife Extension website
http://aggie-horticulture.tandmu.edu

This is a home type dish that is as simple to prepare as "scrambled eggs with..." but much more nutritious. Serve as a side dish, a brunch main dish, or as a filling in tortillas and pitas.

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 Small Onion, Finely Chopped
1 Medium Sized Ripe Tomato, chopped (not skinned)
1 Serrano or Jalapeno Pepper, finely chopped, or freshly chopped black pepper, according to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 egg beaten

Directions
Set aside a few raw sprigs of purslane for garnish. Steam or blanch the rest until tender-crisp (three to five minutes). Drain thoroughly, transfer to a plate covered with several layers of paper towels and blot dry.

In a large pan, saute garlic and onion in vegetable oil until soft. Add tomato and chile and saute until the mixture becomes sauce-like. Season with soy sauce. (If you aren't using the chile, add freshly ground black pepper). Saute until the mixture is warm and the flavors marry.

When ready to serve add the beaten egg to the warm mixture in the pan and mix gently. The egg will bind the mixture loosely but should not harden into scrambled eggs. Garnish plate servings with reserved sprigs.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Warm Root Salad in Horseradish Vinaigrette

This is another kohlrabi recipe that I'd like to try soon, as the new red potatoes will be in our share for the first time this week! This recipe is adapted from A Veggie Venture blog. The author writes that this is a "concept" recipe, so be creative and adapt based upon what you find in your share.

Warm Root Salad in Horseradish Vinaigrette
"Allow about 2 cups unroasted vegetables per serving for a main dish, about 1 cup per serving as a side dish."

Salad Ingredients

2 medium purple-top turnips, ends trimmed, peeled with a carrot peeler, cut cross-wise about ⅓-inch thick, then diced
2 kohlrabi, ends and knobs strimmed, peeled with a paring knife, cut cross-wise about ⅓-inch thick, then diced
1 sweet potato, peeled with a carrot peeler, cut cross-wise about ⅓-inch thick, then diced
2 small potatoes, skins on, cut cross-wise about ⅓-inch thick, then diced
½ celeriac, peeled with a paring knife, cut cross-wise about ⅓-inch, then diced
3 parsnips, ends trimmed, peeled with a paring knife, quartered lengthwise, woody cores removed and discarded, then diced
3 carrots, ends trimmed, thick ends halved or quartered with carrot left intact, then cut cross-wise
1 onion (or 2 to 3 fresh onions), peeled and roughly chopped
1 ounce pancetta, diced small (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Vinaigrette Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
6 to 8 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons horseradish, or more, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prep vegetables and toss in a bowl with olive oil. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet (you may need two, depending on the amount of vegetables used) and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 60 minutes, stirring well after 30 minutes, and stirring well and adding pancetta after 45 minutes.
2. While the vegetables are roasting, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Mix the roasted vegetables with the vinaigrette and taste and adjust seasonings. Serve over lettuce greens (no need to dress the greens, the horseradish vinaigrette will be enough) with good bread and butter.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Hoisin, Orange, and Bok Choy White Fish

This was originally a salmon recipe but not being a salmon kinda gal (and the other half is in the anti-cilantro camp) it required a few tweaks. Original can be found here. The sauce is really flavorful, so I doubled up. So worth it. Cooking on the grill is just a preference, you could also do this in the oven.

Ingredients
2 heads of bok choy
1 good size fillet of white fish - (I like Turbot)
4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 green onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
3/4 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds

Directions
1. Preheat the grill on medium
2. Create tinfoil packet and form bed of bok choy in center
3. Top bok choy with fish
4. Mix orange juice, green onion, hoisin, ginger, and orange peel in small bowl
5. Spoon mixture over fish
6. Sprinkle with salt and coriander
7. Close tinfoil packet
8. Place tinfoil packet directly on the grill & cook to desired consistency

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms

This is one of my favorite treats—easy to make and easily adaptable!

Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms
Serves 4 (appetizer servings)

Ingredients
1 package cremini (baby bella) mushrooms
1 to 2 tablespoons butter
olive oil
1 half onion, 2 to 3 shallots, or 4 to 5 scallions, all minced
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
ground cayenne pepper, to taste
chives, finely chopped, to taste (optional)
⅓ 8-ounce package cream cheese
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped cheddar, mozzarella, or grated Parmesan
breadcrumbs

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse mushrooms and remove stems from caps. Set caps aside and finely mince mushroom stems.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. When hot, add mushroom stems, onions, shallots, or scallions, and garlic. Cook until lightly browned. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, mix together stems, onions, shallots, or scallions, and garlic with cayenne pepper, chives, cream cheese, and additional cheese.
4. Lightly coat the bottom of the mushroom caps with olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet and fill with the cream cheese mixture. Top with breadcrumbs and bake in the oven until golden brown. Serve hot.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy New Year from Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative! (And Winter Chili Recipe)

Happy New Year! Here at Lancaster Farm Fresh, we're looking forward to another great season in 2011. Fulfill your New Year's resolution to eat healthy and nutrient-dense produce in 2011 by purchasing a CSA share! Not only does your purchase support local and small-scale family farms, but you'll also receive 25 weeks of Certified Organic produce, chock-full of nutrients that only Lancaster County soil can supply. 2011 CSA Membership Applications are available on our website, www.lancasterfarmfresh.com. Don't forget to postmark your application and payment for a 2011 CSA share by January 15th in order to qualify for a $30 early sign-up discount!

Now to the recipes! Although we are currently between seasons, be sure to check back for weekly updates for recipes that LFFC farmers and staff are enjoying over the winter, using canned and frozen vegetables from our 2010 CSA shares. Below is a winter chili recipe that I made last night with tomatoes that I canned this summer from LFFC member farm Green Valley Organics. Delicious!

Winter Chili
Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 to 3 onions, roughly chopped
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 24-ounce cans canned tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
4 cups frozen corn
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
grated cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, stirring until onions are translucent.
2. Turn down heat slightly, and add chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and cumin. Working quickly to avoid burning the spice mixture, add chicken or vegetable broth, canned tomatoes, brown sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil and turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until tomatoes begin to break down and chili has a thick consistency.
3. Add beans and corn and allow to heat, taking care not to overcook. Adjust spices as needed. Serve hot, topped with grated cheddar cheese and cornbread on the side. Enjoy!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Golden Spinach and Sweet Potato Healthy Sauté

Spinach is ranked as one of the top “World’s Healthiest Vegetables,” as it is extremely rich in all sorts of vitamins and minerals, as well as high in phytonutrients such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin and flavonoids, which provide antioxidant protection. (Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods, http://whfoods.org/.) The following recipe comes from The World’s Healthiest Foods.

Golden Spinach and Sweet Potato Healthy Sauté
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
4 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon chicken or vegetable broth
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 ounces spinach
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of broth in a large stainless steel skillet. Healthy Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for five minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
2. Add seasonings and lemon juice and stir to mix thoroughly. Add broth and sweet potatoes. Simmer covered over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Add spinach to sweet potatoes. Cook uncovered for a few more minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Add cilantro, salt, and pepper.

Spicy Chicken and Spaghetti Squash Skillet

Another winter squash recipe! This one comes from Fabulous Foods (http://www.fabulousfoods.com/). The author writes, “This spicy sauce, which makes good use of leftover chicken, is also great on true pastas, as well as the spaghetti squash suggested here. For a vegetarian version, simply eliminate the meat, or if you want a substitute, use extra firm tofu.”

Spicy Chicken and Spaghetti Squash Skillet
Serves 6

Ingredients
1 small spaghetti squash, cooked using your favorite method and separated into strands
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup minced onion
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, finely chopped
12 ounces cooked chicken or turkey meat
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
¼ cup dry red wine
2 teaspoons capers
2½ teaspoons fresh oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, more to taste
3 tablespoon Italian parsley, finely chopped

Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat, and sauté onion, garlic and green onions for two minutes. Add the chicken or turkey and cook for three to four minutes. Stir in tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for another five minutes. Pour sauce over heated spaghetti squash and serve.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Yukon Gold and Baby Spinach Masala

Mmm... I hope to make this recipe tonight with the pound of spinach in today's Lancaster Farm Fresh CSA share! This recipe is courtesy of the April 1, 2009 edition of Vegetarian Times. The author writes, "Serve with steamed rice, and a sweet-and-sour chutney, such as Fresh Mango Chutney (see Fresh Mango Chutney recipe on vegetariantimes.com)."

Yukon Gold and Baby Spinach Masala

Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (4 cups)
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced (1½ cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 jalapeño chile, finely chopped (1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 13.5-oz. can light coconut milk
1 6-oz. bag baby spinach
1½ teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon lime juice
¼ cup chopped cilantro

Directions
1. Steam potatoes in steamer basket set over simmering water 10 minutes, or until just tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 8 minutes, or until soft and golden. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeño, and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Add steamed potatoes, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, to coat with spices. Add coconut milk and ¼ cup water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 5 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken.
3. Stir in spinach, garam masala, and ¼ cup water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Stir in lime juice and cilantro.